Our Highlands Virtual students were SHOWING UP and SHOWING OUT at the Highlands County Fair! 🐖🌸🐄 From impressive steers and prize-worthy pigs to caladiums and chickens galore, our students truly brought their A-game to the barns and exhibits.
A special shoutout to our seniors and dedicated 4-H members - your hard work, leadership, and commitment were on full display. We are so proud of the way you represented Highlands Virtual School with excellence, integrity, and heart. 💙
Thank you for making HVS proud and for being such amazing ambassadors for your school and community!
HVS Family! We want to see you in Live Lessons!!! We are seeing growth in our student assessments for those attending their Live Lessons! Be sure that you are in class with your teacher for Live Lesson, Bubble Groups, and Bootcamps. Check out their homepage for times and days!!! See you there!!!
🎓 Sponsor a Senior 🎓
We’re looking for individuals or businesses willing to sponsor a senior this year. Your sponsorship helps support graduation expenses and gives a student the encouragement they deserve as they head into their future.
How to Sponsor a Senior:
➡️ Go to our school website: https://hvs.highlands.k12.fl.us/
➡️ Click “Pay HVS” at the top of the page
➡️ Select “Donations”
➡️ Choose “Senior Class”
That’s it! Any amount makes a difference and is truly appreciated.
If you have questions or would like more information, feel free to comment below or message us directly.
Thank you for supporting our seniors! 🎓✨
We’re looking for individuals or businesses willing to sponsor a senior this year. Your sponsorship helps support graduation expenses and gives a student the encouragement they deserve as they head into their future.
How to Sponsor a Senior:
➡️ Go to our school website: https://hvs.highlands.k12.fl.us/
➡️ Click “Pay HVS” at the top of the page
➡️ Select “Donations”
➡️ Choose “Senior Class”
That’s it! Any amount makes a difference and is truly appreciated.
If you have questions or would like more information, feel free to comment below or message us directly.
Thank you for supporting our seniors! 🎓✨
Officer Accolades 💙
We are thrilled to honor our incredible SRO, Officer Burns! We are so thankful for her constant presence on campus and the care she pours into our school community. She works tirelessly with our Academy students and shows up every single day with a smile and a fresh-start attitude - something our students truly appreciate.
Officer Burns is loved for her warm interactions, positive energy, and yes… the snacks don’t hurt either 😉 She has a special way of making students feel safe, seen, and supported.
Outside of school, Officer Burns stays just as busy! She’s a mom to four children and twenty chickens (yes, twenty!), and she’s incredibly creative. She was the mastermind behind many of our beautifully decorated office doors this Christmas, featuring themes like Candy Cane Lane, The Peanuts, a Christmas Shoppe, and Reindeer. Each one was thoughtful, festive, and full of creativity.
Her talents don’t stop there. She dabbles in everything from photography to charcuterie boards, with her newest passion being custom cowgirl hats. Is there anything she can’t do?
We are honoring our SRO this week in preparation for National School Resource Officer Day on February 15th—and because we love her so much, we even gave her the day off (don’t worry, it’s a Sunday 😉).
Thank you, Officer Burns, for all that you do for our students, staff, and school. We are so lucky to have you!
We are thrilled to honor our incredible SRO, Officer Burns! We are so thankful for her constant presence on campus and the care she pours into our school community. She works tirelessly with our Academy students and shows up every single day with a smile and a fresh-start attitude - something our students truly appreciate.
Officer Burns is loved for her warm interactions, positive energy, and yes… the snacks don’t hurt either 😉 She has a special way of making students feel safe, seen, and supported.
Outside of school, Officer Burns stays just as busy! She’s a mom to four children and twenty chickens (yes, twenty!), and she’s incredibly creative. She was the mastermind behind many of our beautifully decorated office doors this Christmas, featuring themes like Candy Cane Lane, The Peanuts, a Christmas Shoppe, and Reindeer. Each one was thoughtful, festive, and full of creativity.
Her talents don’t stop there. She dabbles in everything from photography to charcuterie boards, with her newest passion being custom cowgirl hats. Is there anything she can’t do?
We are honoring our SRO this week in preparation for National School Resource Officer Day on February 15th—and because we love her so much, we even gave her the day off (don’t worry, it’s a Sunday 😉).
Thank you, Officer Burns, for all that you do for our students, staff, and school. We are so lucky to have you!
🎉 Shoutout to Our AMAZING HVS Teachers! 🎉
Highlands Virtual School proudly serves three entities and every school in the district, and that means wearing a LOT of hats! One of our most important roles is supporting credit recovery students and students earning initial credits not offered at their zoned schools.
Last semester, HVS successfully completed OVER 3,000 FLEX STUDENTS 🤯👏
That’s 3,000 students who were given a second chance, a new path, and a fresh way to learn—and they took it and ran.
Each of those students had goals.
Each of those students put in the work.
And thanks to the dedication, patience, and heart of our incredible HVS teachers and staff, they CRUSHED it 💪🎓
We are so proud of the impact you make every single day. You change trajectories, open doors, and remind students that success is always possible.
💙 Thank you, HVS teachers, for being difference-makers. 💙
Highlands Virtual School proudly serves three entities and every school in the district, and that means wearing a LOT of hats! One of our most important roles is supporting credit recovery students and students earning initial credits not offered at their zoned schools.
Last semester, HVS successfully completed OVER 3,000 FLEX STUDENTS 🤯👏
That’s 3,000 students who were given a second chance, a new path, and a fresh way to learn—and they took it and ran.
Each of those students had goals.
Each of those students put in the work.
And thanks to the dedication, patience, and heart of our incredible HVS teachers and staff, they CRUSHED it 💪🎓
We are so proud of the impact you make every single day. You change trajectories, open doors, and remind students that success is always possible.
💙 Thank you, HVS teachers, for being difference-makers. 💙
🎉 Happy CTE Month! 🎉
Career & Technical Education is all about giving students real-world skills, hands-on experience, and a head start on their future careers - and our students are SHOWING UP! 💪
🌱 Shout-out to our Environmental students who are tackling DUCKS and putting their learning into action.
💡 Entrepreneurship students are hard at work preparing for ESB, sharpening their business skills and mindset.
💻 DIT students are gearing up for PMI, developing leadership, organization, and real-world problem-solving skills.
Ducks - assesses students’ knowledge of environmental science, conservation practices, and real-world sustainability principles.
ESB - measures students’ readiness in entrepreneurship by assessing essential business knowledge, financial literacy, and real-world decision-making skills.
PMI - shows students can lead projects from start to finish using timelines, teamwork, and problem-solving.
At HVS, our CTE programs equip students with real-world skills in environmental stewardship, entrepreneurship, and project management, empowering them to lead, innovate, and succeed beyond the classroom.
We are so proud of the dedication, grit, and growth we see every day in our CTE programs. These students aren’t just learning - they’re preparing for life beyond the classroom! 🚀
#CTEWeek #FutureReady #HandsOnLearning #CareerReady
💐 Happy Counselor Appreciation Week! 💐
This week, we are so excited to celebrate two incredible counselors who make a lasting impact on our students every single day.
Mrs. Langston, our Guidance Counselor for virtual students, is a true champion for student success. She works tirelessly to help students find the courses they need to graduate - while also making sure they get to take classes they genuinely want and enjoy. Her guidance, organization, and dedication help our virtual students stay on track and feel confident about their futures.
Ms. Stark, our Mental Health Counselor for academy students served by HVS, provides unwavering support, compassion, and care. She creates a safe space for students to navigate challenges, build resilience, and prioritize their well-being. Her work reminds our students that their mental health matters just as much as their academic success.
We are so grateful for the heart, patience, and commitment you both bring to our school community. Thank you for all you do - today and every day! 🌟
This week, we are so excited to celebrate two incredible counselors who make a lasting impact on our students every single day.
Mrs. Langston, our Guidance Counselor for virtual students, is a true champion for student success. She works tirelessly to help students find the courses they need to graduate - while also making sure they get to take classes they genuinely want and enjoy. Her guidance, organization, and dedication help our virtual students stay on track and feel confident about their futures.
Ms. Stark, our Mental Health Counselor for academy students served by HVS, provides unwavering support, compassion, and care. She creates a safe space for students to navigate challenges, build resilience, and prioritize their well-being. Her work reminds our students that their mental health matters just as much as their academic success.
We are so grateful for the heart, patience, and commitment you both bring to our school community. Thank you for all you do - today and every day! 🌟
Good Morning! Happy Friday! We are looking forward to seeing you today at 10:30!!! Click Here to join: meet.google.com/qnt-phom-tgg
🎉🏃♂️ HVS FBLA FUN RUN IS COMING! 🏃♀️🎉
Mark your calendars for February 6 from 1:00–3:00 PM and get ready for an afternoon full of fun, friends, and school spirit! 💙💛
👟 Open to ALL students!
Every student who attends will receive:
🍿 FREE popcorn donated by AMC
💧 FREE water bottle donated by Winn-Dixie
🎟️ 1 FREE ticket to use for snacks, drinks, or prizes. Additional tickets can be earned by bringing in donations.
🎯 There will be FREE games and activities for everyone, plus even more snacks, drinks, and prizes available with tickets!
💰 Students are encouraged to collect donations to sponsor their laps - and the more you collect, the more fun you earn!
👉 Every $5 donated = 2 tickets
Tickets are used to buy additional drinks, snacks, candy, and win cool prizes!
Come walk, run, play, and have fun while supporting FBLA and showing off your HVS spirit! 🙌
📅 February 6
⏰ 1:00–3:00 PM
📍 HVS Loop
👉 Be sure to check your Canvas inbox for the donation collection form!
Mark your calendars for February 6 from 1:00–3:00 PM and get ready for an afternoon full of fun, friends, and school spirit! 💙💛
👟 Open to ALL students!
Every student who attends will receive:
🍿 FREE popcorn donated by AMC
💧 FREE water bottle donated by Winn-Dixie
🎟️ 1 FREE ticket to use for snacks, drinks, or prizes. Additional tickets can be earned by bringing in donations.
🎯 There will be FREE games and activities for everyone, plus even more snacks, drinks, and prizes available with tickets!
💰 Students are encouraged to collect donations to sponsor their laps - and the more you collect, the more fun you earn!
👉 Every $5 donated = 2 tickets
Tickets are used to buy additional drinks, snacks, candy, and win cool prizes!
Come walk, run, play, and have fun while supporting FBLA and showing off your HVS spirit! 🙌
📅 February 6
⏰ 1:00–3:00 PM
📍 HVS Loop
👉 Be sure to check your Canvas inbox for the donation collection form!
✨ Staff Feature: Quintana Neely (aka the one and only Ms. Q!) ✨
If you’ve ever walked into our school and been greeted with a warm smile, chances are you’ve met Quintana Neely—lovingly known by students and staff as Ms. Q. While her official title is Bookkeeper/Secretary, anyone who knows our school knows she does so much more than that.
Ms. Q is often the first face our students see each day, and she makes sure every single one of them feels seen, heard, and welcomed. She’s their sounding board, their voice of reason, and when needed, their provider of some well-placed tough love—always helping students get back on track without letting them stay stuck for long. She’s no-nonsense, but behind that firmness is the biggest heart.
Whether she’s juggling requests, solving problems, or keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes, Ms. Q handles it all with grace, patience, and ease. She truly is the glue that helps hold our school together.
And her care doesn’t stop at the school doors. Outside of work, Ms. Q also supports adults with special needs, helping them navigate their lives and plan for their futures—further proof that serving others isn’t just her job, it’s who she is.
Ms. Q is an irreplaceable part of our school family. We are beyond grateful for her, and quite honestly, our school just wouldn’t be the same without her. 💙
If you’ve ever walked into our school and been greeted with a warm smile, chances are you’ve met Quintana Neely—lovingly known by students and staff as Ms. Q. While her official title is Bookkeeper/Secretary, anyone who knows our school knows she does so much more than that.
Ms. Q is often the first face our students see each day, and she makes sure every single one of them feels seen, heard, and welcomed. She’s their sounding board, their voice of reason, and when needed, their provider of some well-placed tough love—always helping students get back on track without letting them stay stuck for long. She’s no-nonsense, but behind that firmness is the biggest heart.
Whether she’s juggling requests, solving problems, or keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes, Ms. Q handles it all with grace, patience, and ease. She truly is the glue that helps hold our school together.
And her care doesn’t stop at the school doors. Outside of work, Ms. Q also supports adults with special needs, helping them navigate their lives and plan for their futures—further proof that serving others isn’t just her job, it’s who she is.
Ms. Q is an irreplaceable part of our school family. We are beyond grateful for her, and quite honestly, our school just wouldn’t be the same without her. 💙
HVS National Honor Society
💖 Valentine’s Day Candy Gram 💖
Spread the love this Valentine’s Day!
Join us for our special Valentine’s Candy Gram event!
Send sweet and heartfelt messages to the HVS teachers and staff.
It’s the perfect way to show how much you care.
Cost: $5
Pre-orders due: February 6 at 3:00 PM
Ways to pre-order:
• Visit our table at the FBLA Fun Run (2/6 from 1–3 PM)
• Stop by the HVS front office with cash
• Order online: HVS Website → Pay HVS → Donations → Donation with Messages
💖 Valentine’s Day Candy Gram 💖
Spread the love this Valentine’s Day!
Join us for our special Valentine’s Candy Gram event!
Send sweet and heartfelt messages to the HVS teachers and staff.
It’s the perfect way to show how much you care.
Cost: $5
Pre-orders due: February 6 at 3:00 PM
Ways to pre-order:
• Visit our table at the FBLA Fun Run (2/6 from 1–3 PM)
• Stop by the HVS front office with cash
• Order online: HVS Website → Pay HVS → Donations → Donation with Messages
🎉🏃♂️ HVS FBLA FUN RUN IS COMING! 🏃♀️🎉
Mark your calendars for February 6 from 1:00–3:00 PM and get ready for an afternoon full of fun, friends, and school spirit! 💙💛
👟 Open to ALL students!
Every student who attends will receive:
🍿 FREE popcorn donated by AMC
💧 FREE water bottle donated by Winn-Dixie
🎟️ 1 FREE ticket to use for snacks, drinks, or prizes. Additional tickets can be earned by bringing in donations.
🎯 There will be FREE games and activities for everyone, plus even more snacks, drinks, and prizes available with tickets!
💰 Students are encouraged to collect donations to sponsor their laps - and the more you collect, the more fun you earn!
👉 Every $5 donated = 2 tickets
Tickets are used to buy additional drinks, snacks, candy, and win cool prizes!
Come walk, run, play, and have fun while supporting FBLA and showing off your HVS spirit! 🙌
📅 February 6
⏰ 1:00–3:00 PM
📍 HVS Loop
👉 Be sure to check your Canvas inbox for the donation collection form!
Mark your calendars for February 6 from 1:00–3:00 PM and get ready for an afternoon full of fun, friends, and school spirit! 💙💛
👟 Open to ALL students!
Every student who attends will receive:
🍿 FREE popcorn donated by AMC
💧 FREE water bottle donated by Winn-Dixie
🎟️ 1 FREE ticket to use for snacks, drinks, or prizes. Additional tickets can be earned by bringing in donations.
🎯 There will be FREE games and activities for everyone, plus even more snacks, drinks, and prizes available with tickets!
💰 Students are encouraged to collect donations to sponsor their laps - and the more you collect, the more fun you earn!
👉 Every $5 donated = 2 tickets
Tickets are used to buy additional drinks, snacks, candy, and win cool prizes!
Come walk, run, play, and have fun while supporting FBLA and showing off your HVS spirit! 🙌
📅 February 6
⏰ 1:00–3:00 PM
📍 HVS Loop
👉 Be sure to check your Canvas inbox for the donation collection form!
🎉Congratulations to our newly inducted NHS and NJHS members!
We held a beautiful ceremony last night to recognize these outstanding scholar-leaders.
Each of these students has demonstrated a strong commitment to the core pillars of NHS and NJHS: Service, Character, Leadership, and Scholarship.
Congratulations to the following students:
Matthew Castillo
Briggs Thayer (in absentia)
Nisimar Merced Hernandez
Emma Barajas
Linnell Palmer (Senior)
Aaron Leiva
Phillip Sudduth (NJHS)
A special thank you to returning Vice President Evan Inabnett for assisting with the induction ceremony.
We are incredibly proud of these students for representing the very best of HVS—proving that excellence, leadership, and community thrive here every day. 💙🎓
We held a beautiful ceremony last night to recognize these outstanding scholar-leaders.
Each of these students has demonstrated a strong commitment to the core pillars of NHS and NJHS: Service, Character, Leadership, and Scholarship.
Congratulations to the following students:
Matthew Castillo
Briggs Thayer (in absentia)
Nisimar Merced Hernandez
Emma Barajas
Linnell Palmer (Senior)
Aaron Leiva
Phillip Sudduth (NJHS)
A special thank you to returning Vice President Evan Inabnett for assisting with the induction ceremony.
We are incredibly proud of these students for representing the very best of HVS—proving that excellence, leadership, and community thrive here every day. 💙🎓
🌟 National Mentoring Month Spotlight 🌟
January is National Mentoring Month, a time to celebrate the power of guidance, encouragement, and real-world skill building. One of the schools that HVS proudly supports is the Academy, where mentoring plays a key role in preparing students for success beyond the classroom.
This month, Mrs. Hickman’s mentoring class focused on a practical life skill - learning how to properly wrap gifts. While it may seem simple, this activity teaches students the importance of attention to detail, patience, and presentation. Knowing how to present a gift thoughtfully helps students make positive first impressions, shows respect for others, and builds confidence in social and professional settings.
Skills like these translate directly to future opportunities, whether it’s preparing for a job, participating in community events, or strengthening personal relationships. We are proud of Mrs. Hickman and her students for embracing mentoring moments that build both character and confidence.
👏 Great work, Academy mentors and students!
January is National Mentoring Month, a time to celebrate the power of guidance, encouragement, and real-world skill building. One of the schools that HVS proudly supports is the Academy, where mentoring plays a key role in preparing students for success beyond the classroom.
This month, Mrs. Hickman’s mentoring class focused on a practical life skill - learning how to properly wrap gifts. While it may seem simple, this activity teaches students the importance of attention to detail, patience, and presentation. Knowing how to present a gift thoughtfully helps students make positive first impressions, shows respect for others, and builds confidence in social and professional settings.
Skills like these translate directly to future opportunities, whether it’s preparing for a job, participating in community events, or strengthening personal relationships. We are proud of Mrs. Hickman and her students for embracing mentoring moments that build both character and confidence.
👏 Great work, Academy mentors and students!
We loved welcoming our board members to campus this week as they got a glimpse of how HVS students learn on the cloud! ☁️💻
Our students greeted them and shared why they chose virtual school and how it supports their success.
Thank you to our board members for visiting and to our amazing students for being such great ambassadors for HVS! 🎉👏
Our students greeted them and shared why they chose virtual school and how it supports their success.
Thank you to our board members for visiting and to our amazing students for being such great ambassadors for HVS! 🎉👏
🌟 Teacher Feature: Mrs. Abell 🌟
We are excited to spotlight Mrs. Abell, a valued member of our school community who wears many important hats each day! Mrs. Abell serves as our MTSS-B (Multi-Tiered System of Supports - Behavior) lead, where she helps identify student needs, supports positive behavior, and works proactively with staff and students to create a safe, supportive learning environment. She also provides Math and History support and plays a key role in facilitating Threat Assessments, ensuring student well-being remains a top priority.
Mrs. Abell has worked extensively with our elementary students, math, and history classes, building strong relationships and helping students grow both academically and behaviorally. Her work is rooted in data-driven decision making, collaboration, and a deep commitment to student success.
Along with being an Avon Park graduate, Mrs. Abell comes from a large family and brings that same sense of care, connection, and community into our school. She is known for being compassionate, dedicated, student-centered, dependable, and collaborative - a true team player who always puts kids first.
When she’s not supporting students and staff, Mrs. Abell enjoys baking, and we are lucky enough to occasionally enjoy her delicious treats! 🍪🧁
We are so grateful for everything Mrs. Abell does for our students, staff, and school community. Thank you for all you do! 💙
We are excited to spotlight Mrs. Abell, a valued member of our school community who wears many important hats each day! Mrs. Abell serves as our MTSS-B (Multi-Tiered System of Supports - Behavior) lead, where she helps identify student needs, supports positive behavior, and works proactively with staff and students to create a safe, supportive learning environment. She also provides Math and History support and plays a key role in facilitating Threat Assessments, ensuring student well-being remains a top priority.
Mrs. Abell has worked extensively with our elementary students, math, and history classes, building strong relationships and helping students grow both academically and behaviorally. Her work is rooted in data-driven decision making, collaboration, and a deep commitment to student success.
Along with being an Avon Park graduate, Mrs. Abell comes from a large family and brings that same sense of care, connection, and community into our school. She is known for being compassionate, dedicated, student-centered, dependable, and collaborative - a true team player who always puts kids first.
When she’s not supporting students and staff, Mrs. Abell enjoys baking, and we are lucky enough to occasionally enjoy her delicious treats! 🍪🧁
We are so grateful for everything Mrs. Abell does for our students, staff, and school community. Thank you for all you do! 💙
Sunday was such a special day for our FBLA students! 💙💛
A HUGE thank you to Publix for allowing us to set up a table and collect donations. We also appreciate every shopper who stopped to talk with us, asked about FBLA, and supported our students. They had an amazing time interacting with the public and sharing what they’ve been working toward.
And we have to say - Publix having BOGO popcorn chicken was the real MVP snack of the day 😄🍗
A very special and heartfelt thank you goes to Alexis Conner, who donated $500 in her father’s name. Her generosity brought so many tears and thank-yous. Her father, Harold Conner, was a longtime supporter of schools and fundraising and truly enjoyed helping students. We are incredibly honored by this donation and the legacy behind it ❤️
Because of this amazing community, we raised $1,047 🎉 This money will go directly toward helping our students attend the FBLA State Conference in Orlando, FL.
We are beyond thankful, so proud of these students, and so grateful for everyone who made today possible 💙
A HUGE thank you to Publix for allowing us to set up a table and collect donations. We also appreciate every shopper who stopped to talk with us, asked about FBLA, and supported our students. They had an amazing time interacting with the public and sharing what they’ve been working toward.
And we have to say - Publix having BOGO popcorn chicken was the real MVP snack of the day 😄🍗
A very special and heartfelt thank you goes to Alexis Conner, who donated $500 in her father’s name. Her generosity brought so many tears and thank-yous. Her father, Harold Conner, was a longtime supporter of schools and fundraising and truly enjoyed helping students. We are incredibly honored by this donation and the legacy behind it ❤️
Because of this amazing community, we raised $1,047 🎉 This money will go directly toward helping our students attend the FBLA State Conference in Orlando, FL.
We are beyond thankful, so proud of these students, and so grateful for everyone who made today possible 💙
Good Morning HVS Students & Parents! Welcome to week 4! We are looking forward to seeing all our students in their live lessons this week. As discussed in Freestyle Friday we are seeing some great growth in student learning on our FAST and Maps Assessments. We are so excited to be moving towards our school goals for this year and seeing each student reach their goals as well. The students we are seeing the most improvement from are the ones that are in class and actively participating. Please be sure that you have set up a school space at home for your student and that they are in that space and attending each of their lessons each week. Together we can achieve great success at HVS!!!
Freestyle Friday today at 10:30!!! We are looking forward to seeing our students and giving updates on all the happenings at HVS!! See you soon!
CLICK HERE: meet.google.com/qnt-phom-tgg
CLICK HERE: meet.google.com/qnt-phom-tgg
Good Morning!!! We are looking forward to another great week at HVS!!! Please be sure to be in all lessons this week and completing week 3 work by Friday. We will see everyone at Freestyle Friday at 10:30 on Friday followed by homeroom. meet.google.com/qnt-phom-tgg
