Dear Patriot Family,
As we move closer to the end of the school year, I am continually inspired by the strong sense of community that defines Freedom High School. Each day, we see students and teachers supporting one another, celebrating achievements, and working together to create a positive and welcoming learning environment. This spirit of collaboration is truly something to be proud of.
As the year progresses, we are also seeing clear evidence of our students’ hard work and accomplishments, academically, artistically, and athletically. These successes are the result of dedication, perseverance, and the support of caring teachers and families. I encourage our students to continue giving their best effort and to finish the year strong.
With assessment season underway, I would like to remind students of the importance of taking all assessments seriously. These evaluations play a vital role in measuring progress and ensuring students are on track for graduation. For our juniors preparing for the ACT, now is the time to focus, get a good night’s rest, and approach test day with confidence. Preparation, effort, and a positive mindset make a significant difference.
Equally important is daily attendance. Being present in class every day allows students to fully engage in instruction, stay connected with their teachers and peers, and maximize learning in every subject area. Regular attendance is one of the strongest factors contributing to student success, and we appreciate families partnering with us to ensure students are here and ready to learn.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to Freedom High School. Together, we will make the final stretch of the school year both meaningful and successful.
With Patriot Pride,
Charles M. France
Principal, Freedom High School
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Academic Excellence at Freedom
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Our AP Environmental Science students have been diving deep into their current unit on air pollution, and Mr. Lang and Ms. Fierle have once again brought the learning to life with an engaging, real‑world investigation.
To better understand particulate matter emissions, students conducted a simple but powerful experiment: they placed a small sock over the muffler of a car and ran the engine for five minutes. As the car idled, particulate matter—soot—collected in the sock, giving students a visible look at what different vehicles release into the air.
Before testing, students predicted which cars (and model years) would produce the most and least particulate matter. Afterward, they compared the socks from cleanest to dirtiest and revisited their hypotheses to see how accurate their predictions were.
This hands‑on experience not only strengthened their understanding of air quality and human impact on the environment, but also sharpened their scientific reasoning as they prepare for the upcoming AP exam. Huge shout‑out to Mr. Lang and Ms. Fierle for designing meaningful, memorable learning opportunities that spark curiosity and deepen understanding.
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Our Freedom High School Patriots continue to make an impact not only on our own campus, but across the community as well. This year, a group of remarkable students—Sakshi Tripathy and Senuth Amarasekera from Freedom High School, along with Derrick Tayler from NeoCity Academy—founded Code Explorers, a club dedicated to strengthening interest and diversity in Computer Science and Programming throughout Central Florida.
Recognizing a decline in both enrollment and representation in CS pathways, these student leaders took action. They recruited fellow Patriots from Freedom’s programming team, including Gabriel Griebler and Arnav Upadhyay, to help teach middle school students the foundations of coding in a fun, engaging, and accessible way. Their goal is simple but powerful: spark curiosity early so that future Patriots are more likely to pursue Computer Science, AI, and programming when they reach high school—and perhaps even as a future career.
Their efforts have already made a meaningful difference, and their commitment to community problem‑solving has not gone unnoticed. At the Future Problem Solvers State Competition, Code Explorers earned 3rd place in the Community Problem Solving category, a well‑deserved recognition of their innovation, leadership, and service.
We are incredibly proud of these students for using their talents to uplift others and for strengthening the pipeline of future Freedom Patriots. Their work embodies the spirit of collaboration, creativity, and community that defines our school.
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We are proud to celebrate the newly inducted members of the National French Honor Society. The induction ceremony was a wonderful event, thoughtfully organized by Mr. Miscannon’s officers, whose leadership and preparation made the evening a great success. Félicitations to all! |
As part of our schoolwide Literacy Initiative, launched prior to Media Center Month, students have participated in a variety of engaging and meaningful activities centered on reading, creativity, and collaboration. Art students showcased their talents in an Art Bookmark Contest, with the top three student‑voted designs selected to be professionally printed and made available for free in the Media Center. Students in Ms. Kline’s classes participated in a virtual author visit with Alan Gratz, engaging in rich discussion and a student‑driven Q&A. Our youngest learners enjoyed OCLS Storytime and Crafting, as Freedom Friends Preschool students built early literacy skills through reading and hands‑on activities. In addition, 18 high schools competed in Battle of the Books, and we are proud to celebrate Freedom High School as the overall winner. Our Freedom High School Patriots' dedication, teamwork, and commitment to reading this year’s selection truly paid off, and they represented Freedom with excellence.
Congratulations to our winners:
Julia Joiner, Brielle Poore, Sakshi Tripathy, John Joiner, Ava Gutierrez, and Camilo Rodriguez. We are FREEDOM!
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Congratulations to this month’s top three readers who showed the biggest increase in reading minutes compared to last month—way to level up! Your dedication to reading does not go unnoticed.
Keep reading, Patriots, and remember to log your minutes in Beanstack. You have until the end of the month to record your reading and boost your totals. Let’s keep the momentum going! 📖💪
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Freedom Fine Arts Showcase
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Our talented Patriot performers, technicians, and directors are ready to take the stage—and you’re invited to experience the magic with them! The production will run April 9–11, and tickets are on sale now at:
Come out and support our incredible students as they showcase months of dedication, creativity, and artistry. This is a show filled with heart, talent, and unforgettable moments.
Join us and celebrate the brilliance of our Patriots—they’re ready to shine! ✨
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Get Ready to Turn Back Time, Patriots!
Grab your hairspray and your brightest neon because we’re taking a totally rad trip straight to the 1980s! 📼✨ Our amazing students are hitting the stage for The Final Bow: Back to the ‘80s!—a night packed with iconic hits, bold pop‑culture throwbacks, and all the high‑energy fun of the ultimate ‘80s concert experience.
This show is going to be fresh, fierce, and full of electric nostalgia. So pull out your best ‘80s gear (if you’ve got it!), grab your crew, and get ready to rock with us. Be there or be square! 🟧
📍 WHERE
Freedom High School Performing Arts Center (PAC)
🗓️ WHEN
Thursday, April 23rd, 2026
⏰ TIME
7:00 PM
🎟️ TICKETS
Tickets will be selling faster than a New Wave mixtape!
Sales open Thursday, April 9th at 5 PM.
We can’t wait to rock out with you—Patriot style! 🤘🌴🕶️
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We are proud to celebrate Ms. Probst, who has been awarded a grant from the Phoenix Foundation of Central Florida! This generous funding will support the purchase of essential drills and tools, allowing her to continue designing the innovative, high‑quality stage sets that make our theatre productions truly unforgettable.
Thank you to the Phoenix Foundation for investing in the arts and helping our students bring extraordinary performances to life. And a huge congratulations to Ms. Probst on this well‑deserved recognition—we can’t wait to see the incredible creations she builds next! 👏✨
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Patriot Athletics Spotlight
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Supporting Freedom: Our Community Champions |
A special thank you to Marianne Ramirez with Keller Williams, a proud FHS alum, for generously donating breakfast for our College and Career Fair and for hosting an informative table to teach students about becoming a real estate agent. We appreciate your continued support of our Patriots! |
Freedom High School recently hosted a College and Career Fair, welcoming more than 50 colleges, universities, and career representatives. Juniors and seniors had the opportunity to ask questions, explore postsecondary options, and gain valuable insight to help plan their futures. |
As we look ahead to the 2026–2027 school year, we invite our Patriot families to take an active role in shaping the future of Freedom High School. Elections for next year’s School Advisory Council (SAC) and Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) are coming soon, and we would love to see more parents involved.
SAC and PTSA are essential partners in supporting our academic programs, planning meaningful events, and ensuring that family voices help guide school decisions. Whether you are new to Freedom or a longtime member of our community, your perspective and participation truly matter.
There are only two more SAC and one PTSA meetings left this school year, making this the perfect time to join in, learn more, and see how you can contribute.
Come be part of the conversation.
Come be part of the Patriot community.
Together, we can make Freedom High School even stronger for every student.
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The School Advisory Council (SAC) is a team of parents, teachers, students, and community members who work together to support school improvement and ensure that family voices help guide key decisions at Freedom High School. We will be holding elections for the new 2026–2027 SAC board at our May 18th meeting, and we encourage parents to get involved and make a meaningful impact on our school community. |
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As we enter the final quarter of the 2025–2026 school year, this is your moment to stay focused and finish strong. Every day matters, and your commitment now will shape your success for the year. |
Patriots, let’s keep our learning environment strong! Please remember:
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Be inside your classroom by the bell—every minute counts!
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Follow Freedom High School’s dress code policy to represent our school with pride.
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No electronic devices during the school day—this includes phones, earbuds, tablets, or personal laptops.
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Focus on learning and make the most of every opportunity to grow!
Together, we can create a positive and distraction-free environment for success!
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Patriot Pathways: Building Careers Through CTE |
At Freedom High School, our teachers continue to lead the way in preparing students for real‑world success. Across multiple Career and Technical Education pathways—including Culinary Arts, Business, Agricultural Science, Engineering, and Biomedical Sciences—our dedicated educators are equipping students with the skills, knowledge, and hands‑on experience needed to earn valuable industry certifications.
These certifications not only strengthen students’ resumes and college applications, but also open doors to future careers and post‑secondary opportunities. From mastering culinary techniques and business software to exploring biomedical innovations, engineering design, and agricultural science, our students are rising to the challenge thanks to the expert guidance and commitment of their teachers.
We are proud of the incredible work happening in these classrooms every day. Our teachers are empowering Patriots to build confidence, gain professional credentials, and step boldly into their futures.
322 Industry Certifications so far and counting!
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Preparing with Patriot Pride
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The ACT is coming up on April 7th, and we want every Patriot ready to do their best. Make sure you arrive on time, bring a fully charged laptop, and double‑check Ms. Tarantino’s email for your assigned testing location.
You’ve got this, Juniors—let’s show what Freedom can do! 💙❤️
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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:
- Students should use their OCPS device every day.
- Daily use ensures the device receives necessary updates and minimizes technical issues on testing days.
- Arrive to school and testing locations on time.
- Prompt arrival supports a calm, smooth testing environment for all students.
- Bring your school ID.
- IDs are required for verification and entry into testing rooms.
Thank you for partnering with us to support a successful and well‑organized testing season for all of our Patriots!
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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.
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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
Attendees (FHS seniors only) will meet in the cafeteria at 4:00 pm to board buses (you must ride the bus; no student driving), then return to FHS by 2:30 am. Attendees must ride the bus to and from Busch Gardens. No exceptions.
May 9 | Cap and Gown distribution/pick-up
9:00 am – 1:00 pm in the FHS Gymnasium.
May 9 | Prom "Once upon a Time"
Prom questions should be directed to Ms. Flores. Jamie.Schroeder@ocps.net
May 14 | SENIORS' LAST DAY/Senior Walkout
May 15 | Senior Closeout in Media Center
Device/Textbook return, clear obligations & graduation ticket pick-up (10 tickets).
May 15 | Senior Awards Night
7:00 pm in the PAC. Seniors receiving recognition will receive an invitation.
May 29 | CLASS OF 2026 COMMENCEMENT
7:30 pm at Addition Financial (UCF) Arena
Questions Contact our SENIOR Sponsor at Charles.Youtz@ocps.net
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Class of 2027, it is time to start thinking about your senior portrait. This is the first step to ensure your senior information is correct and that you receive important updates from CADY, our official school photographer. Complete Senior Registration today.
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Our most recent AVID collaborative meeting was a great success! Teachers were celebrated with a special treat and received funny—but well‑deserved—recognitions that highlighted their hard work, dedication, and commitment to student success. Thank you to our AVID team, Ms. Brown and Ms. Read, for fostering collaboration, celebrating one another, and keeping the work both meaningful and joyful! |
We are incredibly grateful for the dedication and commitment of our paraprofessionals, who work tirelessly each day to ensure our students are supported, safe, and successful. A heartfelt thank you to our ESE paraprofessionals—Ms. Sibblis, Mr. Cespedes, Ms. Michel, Ms. Mendez, Ms. Luther, Ms. Burgos, Mr. Tyler, and Ms. Salgado—and our ESOL paraprofessionals—Ms. Deoto, Ms. Ortiz, and Ms. DeLeon. Your compassion, patience, and hard work make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and our school community every single day. |
We invite our students, parents, teachers, and the entire Freedom community to join us for our traditional Multicultural Festival on April 15th from 5:00–7:00 PM! Our school clubs have been hard at work preparing a variety of exciting surprises that will allow everyone to enjoy delicious foods, student performances, and the opportunity to learn about a wide range of countries and cultures represented in our community.
Admission is free, and food and activities will be very affordable. Please come prepared with cash only and small bills.
Bring your family and friends and experience an evening filled with discovery, entertainment, and Patriot pride. We look forward to celebrating with you!
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We’re excited to invite all of our rising freshmen and their families to Patriot Preview, a special event designed to give you a closer look at what makes Freedom High School such an incredible place to learn, grow, and belong.
At Patriot Preview, you’ll get to explore our wide range of extracurricular programs, meet the staff and students who make our campus shine, and discover the many ways you can get connected from day one. Building relationships and finding your place in our Patriot community is what we’re all about.
📍 Where: Freedom High School Gym
🗓️ When: April 27th
⏰ Time: 5:30–7:00 PM
We can’t wait to welcome you, show you what Freedom is all about, and help you start your Patriot journey with confidence and excitement. See you here! 💙❤️
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Patriot Connections: Stay in the Know |
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!
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