AVID Alumni Panel Inspires Students with Real‑World College Insight

This year’s AVID Alumni Panel welcomed recent graduates back to campus to share their experiences navigating life after high school. Alumni offered candid reflections on the transition to college, from adjusting to new academic expectations to finding balance and building supportive communities. They also shared practical strategies for staying organized, seeking help early, and taking advantage of campus resources.

Their stories gave current AVID students a clearer picture of what to expect in their next chapter and reinforced the message that preparation, resilience, and connection are key to success. The event continues to be a meaningful tradition that bridges past and present AVID scholars.

Our Business students continue to impress with their hard work and dedication toward earning industry-recognized certifications. So far, during Semester 1, they have achieved an incredible 72 ESB certifications!

This accomplishment reflects not only the commitment of our students but also the outstanding support and guidance from their teachers, Mr. Copeland and Mr. Macon, and Ms. Dye for helping coordinate it all. Their leadership and expertise have been instrumental in helping students achieve these important milestones, which prepare them for success in the professional world.

Congratulations to our students and teachers for setting the bar high! We can’t wait to see more successful numbers next semester.

At Freedom High School, we’re committed to creating more opportunities for students to engage with reading—and this month, our efforts truly shined!

Our Media Specialist, Ms. Schmidt, has been leading dynamic sessions for our reading classes, teaching students how to check out books, explore different genres, and even integrate technology into their learning. Students have experimented with AI tools and Adobe to enhance their presentations, making reading not just informative but creative and interactive.

To wrap up the month, students proudly presented on the books they read, showcasing their understanding and creativity. These activities are helping students build confidence, discover new interests, and develop a lifelong love for reading.

We’re excited to continue motivating our students and expanding their reading horizons!

Get ready, Patriots, our campus is diving into a school‑wide Reading Challenge, and you are invited to be part of the excitement! Every minute you read brings you closer to earning fun prizes and celebrating your growth as a reader.

Participating is simple:

Not only is this a chance to win great prizes, but reading has incredible benefits for all Freedom High School students. It strengthens vocabulary, boosts critical‑thinking skills, supports academic success, and even helps reduce stress. The more you read, the stronger and more confident you become—both in and out of the classroom.

Let’s make Freedom High School a community of passionate readers.

Our Advanced Digital Video students continue to impress with the incredible work they put into producing PTV News every single day. Each episode is thoughtfully crafted to keep our Freedom High community informed and engaged, showcasing their technical skills and creativity.

This week’s highlight was extra special—students visited several Connectivity Day sessions, capturing the excitement and energy of the event. They also had the unique opportunity to be mentored by Sanjay, a Freedom High alumnus who has earned an internship with CBS. His guidance and real-world insights inspired our students to aim high and dream big in the world of media and broadcasting.

We are proud of these talented Patriots for their dedication and professionalism. Their work is a shining example of how passion and teamwork create something truly impactful for our school community!

Our second Connectivity Day was an incredible success! Students had the chance to explore their passions and try something new, choosing from 80+ exciting activities—from outdoor sports and dance to crochet, karaoke, board games, and so much more. The energy across campus was electric as students laughed, learned, and discovered new interests.

What stood out the most? Connections. Students shared that the best part of the day was building friendships and bonding with peers in a fun, relaxed environment.

This success wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and creativity of our teachers, who led activities, encouraged participation, and helped create an atmosphere where every student felt included and engaged. Their support truly made the day memorable!

Mark your calendars! Our 3rd Connectivity Day is scheduled for January 29th, and we can’t wait to make it even bigger and better. Stay tuned for more details!

Freedom High School’s Leaders in Action continue to shine as role models through their commitment to community service. These dedicated students have been actively involved in a variety of service events, demonstrating leadership, compassion, and a true spirit of giving back.

From volunteering at local initiatives to supporting school-wide programs, their efforts help strengthen our community and inspire others to get involved. Each event is an opportunity for these leaders to grow, connect, and make a positive impact—proving that leadership is about action and service.

A special thank you to Ms. King and Ms. Febles-Miranda, who guide and mentor these students every step of the way. Their encouragement and leadership ensure that our students not only succeed academically but also develop the character and skills to lead with purpose.

Their contributions remind us that when we work together, we can create meaningful change!

Seniors who have not yet taken their senior pictures still have opportunities to get photographed before the yearbook deadline!

We are offering an on‑campus Senior Photo Session on January 10th at Freedom High School. In addition, there will be a Yearbook‑Only photo session on January 12th for students who only need their official yearbook portrait.

Sign up for the January 10th session by going to cady.com/book and for the Yearbook only session by going to tinyurl.com/onlyyearbookphoto

We are proud of our Choir Program! This year they were selected to participate in this year’s Candlelight Processional at Epcot. This long-standing holiday tradition is a highlight of the season at Walt Disney World, and our students earned their place through a highly competitive audition process.

Freedom was recognized as an Honor Choir, a distinction awarded only to the 12 highest-scoring programs in Central Florida. Because of this elite ranking, our students were invited to perform on three separate dates throughout the season. Furthermore, the choir was selected to serve as a rehearsal choir on November 25th, helping to prepare the musical production before the official Festival of the Holiday's began. 

Over the course of their three dates, our students shared the stage with a 50-piece professional orchestra, the Voices of Liberty, and world-class guest artists, including:

Maintaining such a high level of performance across multiple dates is a testament to the discipline and hard work of our student musicians and performing artists. Congratulations to the Freedom High School choir for this outstanding achievement and for representing our school so well in the community.

Want the latest on Winter Sports rosters, schedules, and upcoming events? Visit the Freedom High School Athletics site for all the details you need to cheer on our Patriots!

Access the site by going to the Freedom High School website, clicking on Athletics, or simply use the link below.

Don’t miss out—stay informed and support our student-athletes this season!

Applications for Orange Technical College Dual Enrollment for the 2026–27 school year are now open! Interested students should attend an informational session held every Friday in January in Room 709 during lunch A and lunch B.

Parents who would like to learn more about dual enrollment opportunities are invited to attend an upcoming parent session on January 27th at 4:30pm in the media center.

For more information, see Ms. Dye in Room 805.

All students enrolled in AICE courses will be required to attend Part 1 and Part 2 of their exams to receive a complete AICE score. Families, please mark your calendars and plan accordingly. More details, including specific dates and times, will be shared as we get closer to the testing window. Thank you for supporting your student’s success!

Consistent, on-time attendance is the single most important factor in your student's academic achievement. Every day at school offers crucial learning and social opportunities that cannot be fully replicated, and missing even a few days can significantly impact progress. We ask all families to prioritize regular attendance to ensure your student is present and engaged. Please familiarize yourself with our Attendance Policy for guidelines regarding excused absences and tardiness. Your partnership in making every school day count is key to a successful year!

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Show your Patriot pride and join us for this year’s OCPS Spirit Run! Whether you stroll or run, we want staff, parents, and students to represent Freedom High School in full force. Put on your red, white, and blue, enjoy the fun, and help us make this event unforgettable.

Sign up today and be part of the tradition—let’s show everyone what Freedom spirit looks like!

The English Language Arts team at Freedom High School knows how to combine camaraderie with a love for reading! Each year, our ELA teachers come together for a fun and festive book exchange, sharing laughter, stories, and their favorite reads.

This cherished tradition is more than just swapping books—it’s about building connections and celebrating the joy of literature. By the end of the event, everyone leaves with a book and a renewed sense of inspiration to bring back to their classrooms.

We’re proud of our ELA department for modeling the power of reading and community for our students!

Freedom High School’s Patriot Football players, together with some parents, brought the holiday spirit to life with an amazing pancake breakfast for our teachers! This festive tradition was all about showing appreciation and spreading joy across campus.

Teachers had the option to pick up their breakfast or enjoy a special delivery from our very own athletes, making the morning extra memorable. The smiles, laughter, and teamwork were a perfect reminder of what makes our school community so special.

A huge thank you to Coach Pennington, whose leadership continues to inspire our players—not just on the field, but in finding ways to give back and share kindness. This event was a true touchdown for holiday cheer!

This season, our administrative team brought warmth and smiles to Freedom High by delivering hot cocoa straight to classrooms! It was a simple gesture that made a big impact, reminding our staff how much they are appreciated.

As they made their rounds, the admin team shared holiday cheer and gratitude, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the school. We’re proud to celebrate the people who make Freedom High such a special place!

Freedom High School celebrated its second annual Holiday Elf tradition, and it was a hit! Our special elf spent the last day of the school year on campus, going on mischievous adventures that kept students smiling and guessing what trouble it would stir up next.

From playful surprises during class transitions to creative antics in unexpected places, the elf became a beloved part of our holiday spirit. The excitement reached its peak at the end of the day when the elf made a daring escape from Patrick the Patriot, waving goodbye to our Patriots as they headed home.

This fun tradition reminds us that joy and laughter are powerful ways to bring our school community together. We can’t wait to see what adventures await next year!

Thank you, Ms. Gargano, for bringing us some cheer each year.

Thank you for staying connected with us through our weekly newsletter. At Freedom High School, we are committed to creating a vibrant, supportive environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed—academically, socially, and personally. From classroom achievements to extracurricular milestones, there’s always something exciting happening on campus. We encourage our families and community members to stay engaged, celebrate our students’ growth, and continue partnering with us to ensure every Patriot thrives.

To stay updated with all our events, please connect with us through Skyward, Parent Square, Canvas, and our School Website. These platforms provide timely information and keep you informed about everything happening at Freedom High School. Let’s keep the momentum going!

At Freedom High School, we believe that strong schools are built through strong partnerships. Parents and families, your voice matters! We invite you to join our School Advisory Council (SAC) and Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) to help shape the future of our school.

These groups play a vital role in supporting academic programs, planning events, and ensuring that student and family perspectives are heard. Whether you’re new to Freedom or a longtime Patriot, your involvement makes a difference.

Come be part of the conversation and the community.

Together, we can make Freedom High School the best it can be for every Patriot!