Welcome Back Florida High!
Florida State University Schools Grades 9-12
Principal's Message
Welcome back, Florida High families! As we kick off September, our campus is buzzing with energy, fresh opportunities, and exciting learning experiences across all grade levels.
Key Highlights & Reminders
School Operations & Policies: Please double-check your contact details in FOCUS, ensure students wear their required badges daily, and review class start/dismissal times (8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.). Remember to stay in dress code and keep wireless devices put away during instructional time.
Academic & Class Updates: Seniors stay focused... you can do this! Junior year is critical for post-secondary prep, so keep an eye out for upcoming class meetings and SAT/ACT prep information. Freshmen and Sophomores should watch for updates on class events and homecoming planning. Check your grades on FOCUS and reach out to your teacher if you need support. Don't forget progress reports come out Wednesday!
Campus Life & Safety: Stay involved by joining the PTSA, getting involved in student clubs, and supporting our fall sports teams. Always report any safety concerns promptly via our school reporting tools or FortifyFL.
Let’s work together to make this month productive and inspiring for every student!
Megan Brink
High School Principal
Grades 9-12 use Remind to communicate to students and families via text message. Each class has a Remind code to enter in your phone, so you can receive communication regarding class trips, testing information, school events or any other important announcements and reminders. If FOCUS and Remind did not automatically place you into one of the following groups, feel free to add yourself in the Remind app or text the code below to 81010.
Each class/cohort for Grades 9-12 has a Google class account managed by our student services team. Please make sure your student has added the class to their google account by using the codes below. Information includes a checklist with things to review/complete for each year in high school, our FSUS Course Directory, a template to plan your student's courses throughout high school, testing and scholarship information and other resources.
For information on menus, pricing, payments, and free/reduced lunch applications, please go to the website below.
Senior News
YAY IT'S YOUR SENIOR YEAR! CONGRATULATIONS!
The senior class will be hosting a volleyball tournament on September 19 from 10-4. Any high school student can participate. More information to follow.
Your Class Sponsors
Ms. Bickel, Ms. Axtell, Ms. Russell
Junior News
Welcome back to school, Juniors! Entering 11th grade is a major landmark in your high school career. Junior year is widely recognized as the most critical academic year for college preparation, career readiness, and post-secondary planning.
As upperclassmen, the expectations are higher, but so are the opportunities. Your focus this year should be on maintaining high academic performance, taking on leadership roles, and positioning yourself for success after graduation.
Junior Class Sponsor:
Ms. Prater
Class Meeting:
September 1, during lunch
Here is what you need to know to hit the ground running for a successful junior year:
- SAT / ACT Preparation- Begin prep courses or practice tests; register for official spring administration dates.
- Post-Secondary Exploration- Revisit Xello (on Clever)! Attend college/career fairs, research trade programs or military pathways, and schedule campus visits. We will have several colleges on campus and some trips to local universities.
- Stay Spirited! Spirit Day Friday- wear white!
- The Most Critical Transcript Year- Cumulative GPAs at the end of 11th grade are what colleges, trade schools, and scholarship committees review first. Every grade you earn this year carries significant weight.
Attendance & Rigor- Consistent attendance is vital as coursework becomes more advanced. Stay ahead of assignments, seek tutoring early if needed, and communicate with your teachers.
Extracurricular & Leadership Focus- Quality matters more than quantity. Focus on holding leadership roles in clubs, sports, or community organization projects, and keep an accurate log of your service hours.
Privilege Eligibility- Upperclassman privileges—including campus parking and participation in school events—require good academic standing, solid attendance, and adherence to the Student Code of Conduct.
Sophomore News
We had our first class meeting this last Wednesday. Students were presented with information about carnival, homecoming, and class trips. If students have ideas about carnival games or questions about volunteering, please see your class officers or Mr. Mello.
Sophomore Class Sponsor
Mr. Mello
Freshman News
Our first Freshman Class meeting will be held on Thursday, September 10, during lunch in Mrs. Piris’s room 3-134. Freshman can come meet their freshman class officers, hear about plans for the year, discuss Carnival booth ideas, and find out how they can get involved in making freshman year a great one!
Make sure you have set up a system for calendars and reminders! It's that time of year where everyone is busy and a lot is going on. Create a routine that balances school life and extracurriculars. Don't forget to communicate with your parents, especially since you are not driving yet. Communicate early about events or school needs or supplies.
Freshman Sponsor:
Ms. Piris
After a week of conducting community interviews and transforming interview transcripts into sophisticated poetry, 11th graders in Mrs. King's English class shared their masterful poems with one another in a celebration of creativity, voice, and storytelling. 📖✨👏
Students in honors physics investigated acceleration and its relationship to velocity using Bluetooth SmartCarts connected to graphing software. Because students could watch graphs being created in real-time, connections between the physical and mathematical worlds became clear. Physics students use this software year-round to measure velocity, acceleration, forces, and motion.
Today, our students stepped into the role of scientists as they used microscopes in the science labs to observe cells up close and identify their structures!
Through hands-on investigation, students are connecting what they learn in the classroom to the microscopic world—carefully observing, analyzing evidence, and making scientific connections. 🧪🔍
At FSUS, we believe the best learning happens when students have opportunities to explore, investigate, and discover!
Sometimes the best way to start the school day is to slow down, step outside, and let creativity flow. Our art student took a few moments before the first bell to turn the lawn into a canvas—expressing themselves, exploring their creativity, and setting the tone for a great day of learning.
We love seeing our students find their creative flow and make FSUS their own!
Florida High is excited to introduce the 2026-2027 Eurhythmics class! This dynamic new course helps students develop skills in performance with an emphasis in dance, equipment manipulation, and the relationship between music and movement.
This unique opportunity will help students grow their skills, confidence, teamwork, and school spirit while performing at a whole new level. 🔥You can check out these teams at football games, pep rallies, and other events throughout the year!
Coach Wilson's Exercise Science classes are off to a strong start by practicing their verbal and nonverbal communication skills. Students were challenged to work in teams and relate puzzle solving to working with clients with a variety of needs. This patient-first approach to health care is what makes our program special!
HOMETOWN TICKETING
The fall sports season has begun. If you are interested in coming out to support our teams, please go to the following link to purchase tickets on line https://fsus.hometownticketing.com/embed/all
ATHLETIC GAME DAY UPDATES
1. All students (including guests) under grade 8th grade must be accompanied by an adult.
2. Clear bags only for football games.
3. Metal detectors will be used for entry into the football game.
As we have discussed with our students, it's important to notify a teacher, counselor, administrator, or police officer if a student is in need of help, if there is a concerning behavior, or a student is in crisis. Sometimes as parents, we hear concerns from our students at home. Please contact us immediately if you hear any concerning reports. Besides reaching out to an administrator, we have an online anonymous reporting tool on our website at the bottom of the home page (fsus.school).
Fortify Florida (https://getfortifyfl.com/) is also a tool available for reporting. Fortify Florida is a suspicious activity reporting tool that allows you to instantly relay information to appropriate law enforcement agencies and school officials across the state. Please note that someone who knowingly submits a false tip through FortifyFL may be subject to further investigation by law enforcement and may be subject to criminal penalties under section 837.05, F.S.
April McGriff, Academic Dean 9th-10th
Todd McNeil, Academic Dean 11th-12th
Jennifer Kinney, Counselor 9-12
Ruth Bickel, Career and Technical Education
Megan Crombie, AP Coordinator
Kevin Helms, Dean of Discipline
We have many different supportive resources for our students. Please note the following and reach out as needed:
- Bullying/Anonymous Reporting- (https://airtable.com/appSnRUYeEyLL2Cb7/pagqaSyuclVKoCUit/form)
- Counseling Services- https://www.fsus.school/health
- ESE Information- Lindsay Randolph and Monica Broome, mbroome@fsu.edu
- 504 Information- April McGriff (9-10), Todd McNeil (11), Jennifer Kinney (12)
- Free & Reduced Lunch- Click cafeteria and set up through PayPams (https://www.fsus.school/payment)
- Title I Coordinator- The goal of the FSUS Title I program is to increase student achievement by supporting students, families, and teachers.- Dr. Small, clsmall@fsu.edu
- Title IX Deputy Coordinator (Harassment)- Monica Broome, mbroome@fsu.edu (https://www.fsus.school/parent2)
- Homeless Liaison- Jennifer Kinney (jkinney@fsu.edu)
Best High Schools
by U.S. News Ranks Florida High
Top 8% of High Schools Nationwide
Top 10% of High Schools in Florida