✨🕯️Mrs. Justine's Crafts class learned how to make their own candles using soy wax. Students customized their jars and selected their own scent and color for each candle. Some added dried flowers for a decorative touch, while others brought containers from home to upcycle into unique candles. They even made three candles to gift to our School Board members at their December meeting.
🎓 New Scholarship Opportunity! 🎓
Highland High School seniors and alumni can now apply for the Little Swiss Educational Scholarship — a $1,000 award, renewable for up to four years, for students attending an accredited college or university.
📌 Deadline: April 5
📚 Eligibility includes: 3.0 GPA, 90% attendance, Highland County residency since 9th grade, and college acceptance.
Additional scholarships may also be available through The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham.
Visit their website for more information: https://www.tcfhr.org/new-little-swiss-educational-scholarship-to-benefit-highland-high-students-and-alumni/
Highland High School seniors and alumni can now apply for the Little Swiss Educational Scholarship — a $1,000 award, renewable for up to four years, for students attending an accredited college or university.
📌 Deadline: April 5
📚 Eligibility includes: 3.0 GPA, 90% attendance, Highland County residency since 9th grade, and college acceptance.
Additional scholarships may also be available through The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham.
Visit their website for more information: https://www.tcfhr.org/new-little-swiss-educational-scholarship-to-benefit-highland-high-students-and-alumni/
🎄✨ Our 3rd graders got creative while making their own ornaments! It was a fun, hands-on activity that brought out their creativity and holiday spirit. We love seeing learning and joy come together in the classroom.
🎉 The 67th Day of School!
Some of our staff decided to join in on the fun for the 67th day of school. Did we hear a student say, “It’s not funny anymore!!” Maybe… 😉
If you can’t beat them, join them! We truly enjoy our jobs and love creating a school environment filled with laughter, fun, and memorable moments.
Some of our staff decided to join in on the fun for the 67th day of school. Did we hear a student say, “It’s not funny anymore!!” Maybe… 😉
If you can’t beat them, join them! We truly enjoy our jobs and love creating a school environment filled with laughter, fun, and memorable moments.
🎉 Our 2nd graders surprised Ms. B to celebrate her earning her Master’s Degree! We are so proud of her dedication, hard work, and commitment to education.
Congratulations, Evelyn — we are lucky to have you!
Congratulations, Evelyn — we are lucky to have you!
🎄 Cindy Lou, Who??
Mrs. Springer surprised our PK class dressed as Cindy Lou Who and read a story to them and their fifth grade buddies! 📖
Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to make PK smile!
Applications are NOW OPEN for the I’m Determined ’26 Summit, a unique opportunity for youth with disabilities and their families to learn, connect, and grow together.
📅 June 9–11, 2026
📍 James Madison University
👥 Who: Youth ages 14–18 with disabilities and at least one family member
📘 What: Separate, engaging educational sessions for youth and families
🎯 2026 Theme: Relatedness
🗓 Important Dates:
• Applications close January 11
• Decisions emailed by January 30
Family members and/or teachers may assist with the application, but youth are encouraged to share their own responses.
👉 Scan the QR code or visit www.imdetermined.org
to apply.
For questions: imdeterminedcenter@jmu.edu
Don’t miss this empowering experience!
📅 June 9–11, 2026
📍 James Madison University
👥 Who: Youth ages 14–18 with disabilities and at least one family member
📘 What: Separate, engaging educational sessions for youth and families
🎯 2026 Theme: Relatedness
🗓 Important Dates:
• Applications close January 11
• Decisions emailed by January 30
Family members and/or teachers may assist with the application, but youth are encouraged to share their own responses.
👉 Scan the QR code or visit www.imdetermined.org
to apply.
For questions: imdeterminedcenter@jmu.edu
Don’t miss this empowering experience!
📣 Highland Parent Teacher Partnership
Join us for our monthly meeting at 7:00 PM in the Elementary Library.
🗓 Upcoming Dates:
Dec. 16
Jan. 27
Feb 24
Mar 24
Apr 28
Your voice matters! Come connect, share ideas, and support our students and schools. 💙💛
Due to the cold weather advisory, with low temperatures and wind chills below 0, Highland County Public Schools will operate on a two-hour delay tomorrow, Monday, December 15, 2025.
🎄✨ SCA CHRISTMAS SPIRIT WEEK IS HERE!
Get ready to spread some holiday cheer from December 15–19! Check out our festive dress-up days and join in the fun:
📅 Monday: Christmas PJ Day
🎄 Tuesday: National Tree Day
⭐ Wednesday: Christmas Character Day
🎅 Thursday: Santa & Friends Hat Day
❤️💚 Friday: Rock the Red & Green Day
Let’s make this week merry and bright!
Reminder: All outfits must follow school dress code.
🎁✨ We can’t wait to see everyone’s Christmas spirit!
Get ready to spread some holiday cheer from December 15–19! Check out our festive dress-up days and join in the fun:
📅 Monday: Christmas PJ Day
🎄 Tuesday: National Tree Day
⭐ Wednesday: Christmas Character Day
🎅 Thursday: Santa & Friends Hat Day
❤️💚 Friday: Rock the Red & Green Day
Let’s make this week merry and bright!
Reminder: All outfits must follow school dress code.
🎁✨ We can’t wait to see everyone’s Christmas spirit!
Highland Basketball – Tomorrow on our Home Court! 🏀
3:00 PM – Boys Middle School vs. Paw Paw @ Highland
4:00 PM – Girls Varsity vs. Paw Paw @ Highland
5:15 PM – Boys Varsity vs. Paw Paw @ Highland
Times have been moved up, so don’t miss a minute of the action! Come out and support our Highland Rams! 🐏
3:00 PM – Boys Middle School vs. Paw Paw @ Highland
4:00 PM – Girls Varsity vs. Paw Paw @ Highland
5:15 PM – Boys Varsity vs. Paw Paw @ Highland
Times have been moved up, so don’t miss a minute of the action! Come out and support our Highland Rams! 🐏
We are seeking your feedback on several items presented at the December 2025 School Board Meeting. Your input is vital as we plan for the 2026–2027 school year. Please take a moment to review the proposed school calendar and salary scales using the links below, and share your thoughts through the surveys or by emailing HCPS@highland.k12.va.us
📅 Proposed 2026–2027 School Calendar: https://aptg.co/1DCh6F
👉 Calendar Survey: https://forms.gle/QWznXMgwK65fKnHS7
⚖️ Proposed 2026–2027 Salary Scales: https://aptg.co/tmbp-R
👉 Salary Scale Survey: https://forms.gle/VNSr7cMGsPzVfcPf7
📄 Draft Minutes from the December 11, 2025 Meeting: https://aptg.co/Stnkmd
📅 Proposed 2026–2027 School Calendar: https://aptg.co/1DCh6F
👉 Calendar Survey: https://forms.gle/QWznXMgwK65fKnHS7
⚖️ Proposed 2026–2027 Salary Scales: https://aptg.co/tmbp-R
👉 Salary Scale Survey: https://forms.gle/VNSr7cMGsPzVfcPf7
📄 Draft Minutes from the December 11, 2025 Meeting: https://aptg.co/Stnkmd
Our Preschoolers loved having their Fifth Grade Buddies read their newly picked library books! After storytime, it was outside for some fun… and the Big Buddies quickly learned that chasing a bunch of energetic Preschoolers is a workout! 😂💨
🎶 The Advanced Band has been hard at work, and you won’t believe what they’ve been practicing! 🤩🔥 Come join us TONIGHT at 6 PM in the High School Gym for our Holiday Concert! 🎄✨ Don’t miss this festive musical celebration! 🎷🥁🎸
📣 RESCHEDULED TO JANUARY 21, 2026!
🎭 Highland High School Drama Presents: An Enemy of the People
Join us for an evening of powerful theatre as our drama students bring Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People to the stage.
📅 Wednesday, January 21st
⏰ 6:00 PM
📍 School Cafeteria
We hope to see you there to support our talented students! 🌟
❄️ In the event of a school closure tomorrow, the performance will be rescheduled to Wednesday, December 17.
🎄✨ Join HCPS for our Holiday Concert tomorrow, December 12, at 6 PM in the HHS gymnasium.
Enjoy a festive evening featuring performances by our PreK–5th grade students, along with rock-and-roll holiday classics presented by the Advanced Band. 🎶🎸🥁
Families, please plan to drop students off at their classrooms at 5:30 PM so they have time to get ready. Wearing red and green is encouraged.
Throwback Thursday! 🎤✨
As a later part of Alleghany Mountain Radio’s spring fundraiser, our Radio Club took on a challenge — if they raised a certain amount of money, they earned the right to “Bedazzle the Boss!” 😂
Well… they met the challenge! 💎
Here’s a classic photo of our Radio Club members decorating Scott’s head in the name of a good cause. Hilarious memories and a great way to support local radio! 📻👏
#ThrowbackThursday #AlleghanyMountainRadio #BedazzleTheBoss #RadioClubFun
The Highland County School Board meeting scheduled for tonight is still on.
Highland County School Board Meeting
Thursday, December 11, 2025 · 6:00 p.m.
Highland High School Library
Agenda: https://aptg.co/R9FT2b
To join by Google Meet video: https://meet.google.com/pga-zfsz-okd
To join by phone: (US) +1 318-485-8758
PIN: 194 282 850#
Highland County School Board Meeting
Thursday, December 11, 2025 · 6:00 p.m.
Highland High School Library
Agenda: https://aptg.co/R9FT2b
To join by Google Meet video: https://meet.google.com/pga-zfsz-okd
To join by phone: (US) +1 318-485-8758
PIN: 194 282 850#
You can find this banner proudly hanging on Ms. Nelson’s classroom door! ⭐️💙
Highland has earned the Wise Blue Star Award, which recognizes high schools where a high percentage of students pass the Wise Financial Literacy Certification Test—showing strong personal finance skills and readiness. To qualify, schools must have at least an 80% pass rate and at least half the grade level take the exam.
Highland had an outstanding 91% pass rate! 🎉
We’ve earned this award in 2018, 2023, and 2025, and in 2021 the school was honored with the Platinum Star Award—reserved for top-tier performance where students achieve near-perfect scores. 🌟
Highland has also stood out on the national stage:
• 2021: Ranked 69th among the Top 100 Wise Best Performing High Schools in the nation
• 2023: Ranked 8th in the nation! 🚀🏆
We are also proud of the four Highland students with near-perfect scores who were nominated for the prestigious Wise Ambassador Award. Only four students nationwide are selected to win $1,000 and a trip to New York City. While our nominees were not chosen, being nominated is an incredible honor and speaks to their dedication. 🎓✏️💼
Congratulations to Ms. Nelson and all our outstanding students for continuing to set the bar high in financial literacy! 🐏
Highland has earned the Wise Blue Star Award, which recognizes high schools where a high percentage of students pass the Wise Financial Literacy Certification Test—showing strong personal finance skills and readiness. To qualify, schools must have at least an 80% pass rate and at least half the grade level take the exam.
Highland had an outstanding 91% pass rate! 🎉
We’ve earned this award in 2018, 2023, and 2025, and in 2021 the school was honored with the Platinum Star Award—reserved for top-tier performance where students achieve near-perfect scores. 🌟
Highland has also stood out on the national stage:
• 2021: Ranked 69th among the Top 100 Wise Best Performing High Schools in the nation
• 2023: Ranked 8th in the nation! 🚀🏆
We are also proud of the four Highland students with near-perfect scores who were nominated for the prestigious Wise Ambassador Award. Only four students nationwide are selected to win $1,000 and a trip to New York City. While our nominees were not chosen, being nominated is an incredible honor and speaks to their dedication. 🎓✏️💼
Congratulations to Ms. Nelson and all our outstanding students for continuing to set the bar high in financial literacy! 🐏
Highland County Public Schools will be closed today, Thursday, December 11, 2025 due to continued snow and snow covered roads. Please be safe if you must travel. No virtual learning.
