Our Chargers brought home the following honors:
🥇 Culinary Team – 1st Place and Judges’ Choice Award for Best Dessert
🥇 Management Team – 1st Place
🏅 Edible Centerpiece – 4th Place and Judges’ Choice Award for Most Creative
🥇 1st Place Overall in the State of Florida
The team also earned a combined $500,000 in scholarships to postsecondary culinary and hospitality management programs. They will represent Team Florida at the National ProStart Invitational in Baltimore, Maryland, in April.
To view important upcoming dates and the remaining schedule for the 2025–2026 school year, visit hillsboroughschools.org/o/hcps/page/calendar25-26.
We look forward to welcoming everyone back next week!
Class of 2026 students planning to enroll full-time at a four-year college or university and major in a STEM field are encouraged to apply. Four $10,000 scholarships will be awarded.
📅 Application deadline: Monday, April 13
🏆 Winners announced: June
For more information or to apply, visit cgcs.org/about-cgcs/awards-and-scholarships/math-and-science-scholarship.
Students from 19 high schools across our district earned a total of 200 Cambridge Learner Awards, an international recognition for exceptional performance on Cambridge International AICE exams.
These honors include:
🏅 154 Cambridge Scholar Awards
🏅 41 Scholar with Merit Awards
🏅 4 Scholar with Distinction Awards
🏅 1 Top in the USA Award
These achievements reflect the dedication of our students, teachers, and administrators who continue to raise the bar for academic excellence.
To learn more about our Accelerated Programs, such as Cambridge AICE, visit hillsboroughschools.org/acceleratedprograms.
We wish all students, families, and staff a restful and enjoyable Spring Break! 🏖️
We look forward to welcoming students back on Tuesday, March 24, as we finish the school year strong.
Join us for evenings focused on college, university, and career planning for grades 8–12. Topics include graduation requirements, college & technical programs, scholarships & financial aid, career exploration, and more.
Choose your preferred date and location:
📍 Freedom High School
🗓️ Wednesday, March 25, 6–8 p.m.
📍 Morgan High School
🗓️ Wednesday, April 1, 6–8 p.m.
We are proud to offer the AVID Elective (Advancement Via Individual Determination)—a program designed to help students build strong academic habits, develop college‑ready skills, and gain confidence in rigorous coursework. In AVID, students practice WICOR strategies (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading), participate in tutorials, and engage in goal‑setting and college/career exploration.
Why join AVID?
Students in the AVID Elective learn how to stay organized, think critically, communicate effectively, and take ownership of their learning—all skills that set them up for success in high school and beyond.
Celebrating Success:
This year, our AVID students have excelled in collaborative tutorials, strengthened their academic leadership, and increased their readiness for college and career pathways. Their hard work and determination are making a positive impact across our campus.
We encourage families and students to explore the AVID Elective and learn how it can support long‑term academic success.
These amazing students have pushed themselves to achieve great excellence through hard work, dedication, and perseverance. We are so proud of all you’ve accomplished and can’t wait to see what you achieve next! 🌟📚
🥣✨ It’s National School Breakfast Week! HCPS celebrates the role of a nutritious start in students' learning, growth, and success. Thanks to our Student Nutrition Services team, students can enjoy free breakfast daily at school, helping them start the day focused and ready to excel. A big thank you to our cafeteria staff for fueling student achievement every day!
To support student health and safety, Hillsborough County Public Schools is installing vaping detectors in our high school bathrooms following a three-month pilot program at six campuses to identify the most effective devices.
This school year, schools have recorded more than 1,000 vaping-related referrals. The new devices will detect airborne vapor and immediately alert administrators. They do not record audio or video.
Reducing vaping and protecting student health remain a top priority. Together, we can help keep our campuses safe!
Congratulations 👏 National Merit Finalists!
These outstanding students represent less than one percent of high school seniors nationwide—an incredible achievement that reflects their dedication, perseverance, and academic excellence. We are especially proud that Strawberry Crest High School has the highest number of finalists among all Florida Public Schools.
Your hard work has truly set you apart, and you continue to raise the bar for excellence. Way to represent your school and community with pride! 🎉📚🌟
Our SROs protect campuses, mentor students, and build strong connections that make schools safer and more welcoming. Today, we thank them for their dedication and service to our community.
Don't forget to stop by the Florida Center near Gate 2 and check out the HCPS exhibit area. We also have many schools and students showing livestock in the TECO Arena. Please stop by and cheer them on!
Now in its 21st year, the high school competition empowers students through writing, public speaking, and storytelling. 📝
Congratulations to this year's finalists and winners!
1st Place: Zoey Tice, Plant City HS
2nd Place: Athena Wint, Lennard HS
3rd Place: Bailey Turnquist, Leto HS
Students' Choice Award: Bailey Turnquist, Leto HS
School buses safely transport thousands of students each day—replacing up to 36 cars on the road and making them the safest, most efficient ride to school. Thank you to our drivers and transportation staff for keeping every journey reliable and secure!
🚘 BEEP BEEP 🚘 The Hillsborough County Tax Collector's Office is hosting another Student Services and Licence Renewals Saturday on February 21 in Plant City! If you know a student ready to take their written or road skills test to get their driver's license, or a family member looking to renew their license, this is their chance.
Appointments are required. Families can call 813-635-5200 (option 5) to register and schedule an appointment for this event, which goes from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please note: spots are limited and appointments cannot be made online.
For eligibility requirements and more information, please visit hillstax.org/saturday-license-services.
