This week, we proudly honored the Top 10 seniors of the Class of 2026, recognizing their exceptional academic achievement, dedication, and leadership. These students represent the very best of Freedom High School, and we are incredibly proud of all they have accomplished.

Families and students enjoyed a warm and celebratory breakfast gathering, followed by a presentation highlighting each honoree’s hard work, accomplishments, and future aspirations. It was a wonderful moment of pride shared by students, families, and guidance counselors alike.

Congratulations to our Top 10 seniors! Your commitment to excellence continues to inspire our entire Patriot community.

At Freedom High School, students in AP Environmental Science gain a unique opportunity to explore how the world works—through hands‑on investigation, critical thinking, and real environmental problem‑solving. Led by our outstanding educators, Mr. Lang and Ms. Fierle, the course challenges students to examine ecosystems, sustainability, resource management, and global environmental issues through engaging labs, fieldwork, and data-driven inquiry.

By taking AP Environmental Science, students not only deepen their scientific understanding—they also have the chance to earn college credit while still in high school, saving time and money as they prepare for their postsecondary pathways. This rigorous course helps students build skills in analysis, lab techniques, and scientific communication—tools that benefit them in college and beyond.

We are proud to offer students such high-quality learning experiences supported by exceptional teachers who bring expertise, passion, and real-world relevance to the classroom every day.

At Freedom High School, AP English Literature and Composition offers students far more than traditional reading and analysis. Under the guidance of our exceptional teachers, Ms. Thompson and Mr. Mendoza, students explore how authors communicate meaning—and how they themselves can become more skilled, creative communicators.

In this course, students move well beyond the page. They study how writers use language to shape emotion, theme, and perspective, and then apply those same skills in their own work. From analytical writing to creative expression, students learn to interpret, respond, and communicate ideas in multiple forms. One of the most engaging opportunities in AP Lit is the transformation of written details into visual art, allowing students to express complex themes through imagery, symbolism, and design.

By completing this rigorous course, students not only strengthen their critical thinking and communication skills—they also have the opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school, giving them a head start on their academic and career pathways.

AP Lit at Freedom is more than a class—it’s an opportunity to grow as a reader, a thinker, an artist, and a communicator. And with educators like Ms. Thompson and Mr. Mendoza leading the way, our students are in excellent hands.

This week, students in Mr. Wall’s English 4 class engaged in meaningful collaboration to elevate their writing skills. Through structured group activities, students practiced evaluating one another’s sentences and offering constructive, thoughtful feedback—a powerful strategy that helps writers clarify ideas, strengthen structure, and refine voice.

By working together, students learned how to identify strong writing, spot areas for improvement, and communicate suggestions respectfully and effectively. These peer‑review experiences not only enhance their current assignments but also build confidence and communication skills that will support them in college, career, and beyond.

We’re proud of the hard work happening in English 4 and grateful for the engaging opportunities Mr. Wall provides to help our students grow as writers and collaborators.

We continue finalizing schedules through the use of Xello and our visits to see our counselors:

9th grade: through World History.

No English or World History class? Your counselor will email you.

Xello is not giving credit for your current classes yet, so don’t submit your Xello course requests until we tell you the issue is fixed.

We’ll send updates as issues are corrected.

At Freedom High School, our Media Center continues to be a vibrant hub where students can read, explore, and have fun through literacy. Whether you're searching for your next favorite book, a cozy place to relax, or a new weekly surprise, the Media Center is here to support and inspire every student reader.

Students are welcome to stop by before school, after school, and during lunch to browse new titles, discover special activities, or simply enjoy a welcoming space designed for curiosity and creativity.

Don’t forget to check out a book and log your reading minutes—every minute counts toward building strong literacy skills and a lifelong love of reading.

Come visit every week and see what’s new!

As part of our annual World Heart Day celebration, Freedom High School proudly welcomed our local firefighters and EMTs for a hands‑on CPR training event. Thanks to their expertise and enthusiasm, 1,214 students learned life‑saving hands‑only CPR techniques and gained the confidence to act in an emergency.

This impactful experience not only empowered our students but also strengthened our commitment to health, safety, and community partnership. We are grateful to our first responders for sharing their time and skills—and for helping our Patriots learn how to save a life.

Thursday, February 19th, is the second of two Resiliency Days when we will be following an adjusted bell schedule with an extended 6th period. 

All OCPS students in grades 6-12 will complete a 30-minute self-paced Canvas lesson and a 30-minute college and career planning activity in Xello. Topics include overcoming challenges, mental wellness, and how to find support on campus. This lesson satisfies one hour of the Florida Department of Education’s five hours of mandatory resiliency instruction.

You will be able to access all student materials through the Canvas app in the OCPS Parent Portal. More information is available on the Mental Health Services Parent Resources website.

Freedom High School Cheer has officially completed the most successful season in school history, achieving an extraordinary list of accomplishments that showcase their talent, dedication, and Patriot pride.

This powerhouse team finished the season:

These achievements reflect not only the hard work of our incredible student‑athletes but also the outstanding leadership of our coaching team: Mike Smith, Bettina Corwan, and Logan Moore. Their guidance, vision, and commitment helped lead our cheerleaders to record‑breaking success.

Freedom is so proud of you.

Congratulations to Jumana for an outstanding performance at the Girls' Weightlifting State Competition in Lakeland!

She earned an impressive 4th place in the 154 lb weight class, representing Freedom with incredible strength, determination, and pride.

We are so proud of your hard work and dedication on the state stage.

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 coming to a close.

Considering a career in a technical field? 

Did you know you can start your training DURING HIGH SCHOOL for NO COST!

Orange Technical Dual Enrollment has programs in a wide range of fields including:

 Check out all the options this year! https://www.ocps.net/dual-enrollment 

 

For more information, see Ms. Dye in Room 805 or Email at dwana.dye@ocps.net .

All 11th‑grade students will be taking the SAT on Tuesday, March 3rd, and we strongly encourage every Junior to take advantage of this FREE SAT Virtual Bootcamp to prepare.

Schoolhouse.world—created by Sal Khan, founder of Khan Academy—is a nonprofit offering free peer tutoring over Zoom. Their 4‑week SAT Bootcamp pairs students with a trained peer tutor who has a verified SAT score in the 95th percentile, making it a powerful resource to build skills and confidence before test day.

👉 Juniors can sign up at: schoolhouse.world/sat-bootcamp

As we begin Semester 2, we want to ensure all students and families are well‑prepared for upcoming exams. Please monitor your email regularly for important testing updates from Ms. Tarantino, including specific test dates, times, and testing locations.

To help testing run smoothly, please remember:

Thank you for partnering with us to support a successful and well‑organized testing season for all of our Patriots!

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!

AP testing is approaching, and we encourage all students and families to mark their calendars now. It is extremely important that students carefully follow all instructions provided by their AP teachers and regularly check their emails for updates from Ms. Tarantino, who will share important details about test dates, times, and locations.

Staying informed will help ensure a smooth and successful testing experience for everyone.

To help us maintain a safe and secure campus, all students are required to carry their school ID at all times while on campus. IDs are also essential for major testing days, so please make sure you have yours with you every day.

If you do not have your school ID:

If you missed picture day, you can stop by the Media Center to pick up your ID.

If you need a replacement ID, it can be issued in the Media Center for $5, payable through SchoolCash by logging into your SchoolCash Online account. https://www.ocps.net/schoolcash

Thank you for helping us keep Freedom High safe, organized, and ready for every learning opportunity!

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!

The first round of invitations for the 2026 AP Reading has been released, and Freedom High School is proud to share that at least 20 of our teachers have been selected to serve as AP Readers this summer. This national recognition reflects the remarkable expertise and professionalism of our faculty.

AP Readers receive specialized training from the College Board and collaborate with educators across the country to score and norm college‑level work. Their participation strengthens our instruction, deepens alignment to AP standards, and elevates the preparation our students receive every day.

Having such a large group of Readers across multiple content areas is a powerful testament to the caliber of teaching at FHS. Our educators are not only leaders in their classrooms, but they are also trusted experts at the national level.

We are incredibly proud of our faculty and grateful to work alongside such accomplished professionals.

Feb 16–27 | Grad Nite Ticket Sales (online only)

       Tickets are $130 each, FHS seniors only, no guests allowed, and must not have any obligations.

 

March 2, 4, 6 | Grad Nite Ticket Sales (cash sales only)

       Tickets are $130 each; FHS seniors only; no guests allowed; and must not have any obligations.

 

May 1 | Senior Signing Day

       9:00 am in the FHS Performing Arts Center (PAC). Seniors and Parents will be invited to Senior Signing Day only if the Senior completes this form by April 22nd: Link to Senior Signing Day sign-up

 

May 1 | Grad Nite 2026 @ Busch Gardens, Tampa, FL

 

May 9 | Cap and Gown distribution/pick-up

 

May 9 | Prom "Once upon a Time"

 

May 14 | SENIORS' LAST DAY/Senior Walkout

 

May 15 | Senior Closeout in Media Center

 

May 15 | Senior Awards Night

 

May 29 | CLASS OF 2026 COMMENCEMENT

       7:30 pm at Addition Financial (UCF) Arena

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!

This week, Freedom High School proudly hosted our annual SAC Community Meeting, bringing together our feeder schools—John Young ES, Hunters Creek ES, Hunters Creek Middle, Waterbridge ES, West Creek ES, Freedom Middle, and Westridge Middle. This gathering is a powerful tradition that allows us to share our collective “why,” strengthen our connections, and continue building a unified community focused on student success.

We are grateful to all of our school partners for their collaboration and commitment to supporting students from elementary through high school. Our shared vision ensures that every student feels supported, challenged, and valued throughout their educational journey.

A special thank‑you goes to Ms. Rose and her amazing Culinary students for preparing and serving a delicious Super Bowl‑themed dinner that made the evening even more memorable.

Together, we are stronger—and together, we are shaping a bright future for all Patriots, past, present, and future.

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!