Approximately 6% of 1-mill funds have been used to enhance athletics programs for students, including:
🏫 12 elementary playgrounds
🏈 10 high school turf fields
🏐 5 high school sand volleyball courts
🎾 5 high school tennis court resurfacings
🥎 4 high school softball batting cages
💪 3 high school girls weightrooms
🏃 8 middle school track resurfacings
📣 6 middle school scoreboards
🏟️ 11 bleacher renovations
All these projects are completed or in progress. These investments help create spaces where students can build teamwork, confidence, leadership skills, and school pride.
Learn more about how the 1 mill supports students by visiting our website. - www.duvalschools.org/vote
For Teachers. For Students. For Duval. Our Progress Continues.
🏫 12 elementary playgrounds
🏈 10 high school turf fields
🏐 5 high school sand volleyball courts
🎾 5 high school tennis court resurfacings
🥎 4 high school softball batting cages
💪 3 high school girls weightrooms
🏃 8 middle school track resurfacings
📣 6 middle school scoreboards
🏟️ 11 bleacher renovations
All these projects are completed or in progress. These investments help create spaces where students can build teamwork, confidence, leadership skills, and school pride.
Learn more about how the 1 mill supports students by visiting our website. - www.duvalschools.org/vote
For Teachers. For Students. For Duval. Our Progress Continues.
Approximately 6% of 1-mill funds have been used to enhance arts programs for students, including:
🎬 Stage floor and audience seating renovations at 10 schools
🎺 New band uniforms at 10 high schools
💡 Lighting and sound improvements at 44 schools
🎙️ Recording studios at 2 schools
These investments help provide students with more opportunities to create, perform, explore their talents, and grow through the arts.
Learn more about how the 1 mill supports students by visiting our website. – www.duvalschools.org/vote
For Teachers. For Students. For Duval. Our Progress Continues.
🎬 Stage floor and audience seating renovations at 10 schools
🎺 New band uniforms at 10 high schools
💡 Lighting and sound improvements at 44 schools
🎙️ Recording studios at 2 schools
These investments help provide students with more opportunities to create, perform, explore their talents, and grow through the arts.
Learn more about how the 1 mill supports students by visiting our website. – www.duvalschools.org/vote
For Teachers. For Students. For Duval. Our Progress Continues.
Is the renewal of the 1-mill a tax increase?
No. It is not an increase. It is a continuation.
The 1 mill is the same as what Duval County voters approved in 2022. If renewed, it would continue for another four years and help restore funding lost from other sources.
The 1 mill must be renewed by voters every four years to remain in effect.
Learn more about the 1-mill referendum and find answers to frequently asked questions by visiting our website. www.duvalschools.org/vote
For Teachers. For Students. For Duval. Our Progress Continues.
No. It is not an increase. It is a continuation.
The 1 mill is the same as what Duval County voters approved in 2022. If renewed, it would continue for another four years and help restore funding lost from other sources.
The 1 mill must be renewed by voters every four years to remain in effect.
Learn more about the 1-mill referendum and find answers to frequently asked questions by visiting our website. www.duvalschools.org/vote
For Teachers. For Students. For Duval. Our Progress Continues.
What will you see on the ballot?
Constitutional Amendment 3 and the Duval County Public Schools 1-mill referendum are separate ballot items with different purposes. This graphic shows the ballot language voters will see for each.
Take a look so you know what to expect when reviewing your November 3 ballot.
For more information about the 1-mill referendum, visit www.duvalschools.org/vote
For Teachers. For Students. For Duval. Our Progress Continues.
Constitutional Amendment 3 and the Duval County Public Schools 1-mill referendum are separate ballot items with different purposes. This graphic shows the ballot language voters will see for each.
Take a look so you know what to expect when reviewing your November 3 ballot.
For more information about the 1-mill referendum, visit www.duvalschools.org/vote
For Teachers. For Students. For Duval. Our Progress Continues.
Greetings, Hawk Families!
We hope you had a restful weekend and are recharged for another great week at Highlands Estates Academy! We have a busy week ahead, so be sure to check out this week’s Hawk Parent Newsletter for important updates, reminders, and upcoming events.📬 Read the newsletter here: https://canva.link/esh7u66e8zaw918
Thank you for staying connected and partnering with us. Let’s make it a great week!
Greetings Hawk Parents,
We are excited to announce our first Sweet Treat Attendance Incentive at Highlands Estates Academy for all scholars who are present on Monday, September 28!
Strong attendance is an important part of student success. Our Hawks grow, learn, and achieve when they are at school each day, and this incentive is one way we are celebrating students for being present and ready to learn.
We are excited to welcome our new partner, Brooklyn Ice, to campus on Monday, September 28, from 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Brooklyn Ice will serve students during their scheduled resource blocks.
Important Information:
*Permission slips go home: Wednesday, September 23
*Permission slips are due: Monday, September 28
*Event date: Monday, September 28
*Cost: This is not a free event. Please send your child with a minimum of $5.00 (or up to $12 for extra large items) if they would like to purchase a dessert from the Brooklyn Ice truck.
Thank you for helping us build strong attendance habits at Highlands Estates Academy. We look forward to celebrating our Hawks next week!
Greetings, Hawk families!
We hope you have had an enjoyable weekend, and have had time to rest up, recharge, and prepare for the week ahead. Stay up to date on the latest happenings at Highlands Estates Academy by checking out this week's Hawk Parent Newsletter. Please review the newsletter right here: https://canva.link/vuifdm8e73hhai7
Let's make it an amazing week! 😊
Congratulations to Our 2026–2027 Teacher of the Year!
Highlands Estates Academy is proud to celebrate Ms. Michandra Williams, Kindergarten Teacher, as our 2026–2027 Teacher of the Year!
Ms. Williams brings joy, patience, purpose, and excellence to her classroom every day. She creates a learning environment where our youngest Hawks feel loved, challenged, supported, and excited to learn.
Her impact reaches far beyond the classroom walls, and we are grateful for the heart she pours into our students, families, and school community.
Congratulations, Ms. Williams! This honor is well deserved, and we are so proud to have you representing Highlands Estates Academy!
💙💚💛 Teachers change lives—and Ms. Williams is proof!
#TeacherOfTheYear #HighlandsEstatesAcademy #HawkPride
Highlands Estates Academy is proud to celebrate Ms. Michandra Williams, Kindergarten Teacher, as our 2026–2027 Teacher of the Year!
Ms. Williams brings joy, patience, purpose, and excellence to her classroom every day. She creates a learning environment where our youngest Hawks feel loved, challenged, supported, and excited to learn.
Her impact reaches far beyond the classroom walls, and we are grateful for the heart she pours into our students, families, and school community.
Congratulations, Ms. Williams! This honor is well deserved, and we are so proud to have you representing Highlands Estates Academy!
💙💚💛 Teachers change lives—and Ms. Williams is proof!
#TeacherOfTheYear #HighlandsEstatesAcademy #HawkPride
Good morning,
This is a reminder that Open House is tomorrow. Hope to see you there.
This is a reminder that Open House is tomorrow. Hope to see you there.
Greetings, Hawk Families!
We hope you've been having a great weekend so far, and are ready for the adventure ahead. Stay up-to-date on the latest happenings at Highlands Estates Academy by checking out this week's Hawk Parent Newsletter right here: https://canva.link/rj2madio1i8edxi
Don't forget, in observation of Labor Day, school will be closed on Monday, September 7th. Find the time to rest up and recharge. We look forward to seeing your child back at school on Tuesday, September 8th.
Let's make it a great week!
Please join us for Open House on Thursday, September 10th.
Good afternoon, Highlands Estates Academy families,
We've had a great day of learning so far, but I wanted to make you aware of a security situation that we investigated today.
This morning, we received a report of a potential threat involving our school. The matter was immediately reported to law enforcement, and our staff worked closely with them to investigate. As part of that investigation, students were given opportunities to share information, and backpacks and belongings were searched as a precautionary measure.
Based on the information gathered, we were able to determine that the reported threat was unsubstantiated. While this incident did not involve a credible threat to our campus, please know that we take all reports of potential threats seriously and used this as an opportunity to remind students of the importance of immediately reporting any safety concerns.
We also wanted to ensure that you were informed about this situation and reassured that we will always implement appropriate safety and security procedures whenever we become aware of a potential threat.
The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priorities. We thank you for your support and partnership with us.
Best regards,
HEA Administration
We've had a great day of learning so far, but I wanted to make you aware of a security situation that we investigated today.
This morning, we received a report of a potential threat involving our school. The matter was immediately reported to law enforcement, and our staff worked closely with them to investigate. As part of that investigation, students were given opportunities to share information, and backpacks and belongings were searched as a precautionary measure.
Based on the information gathered, we were able to determine that the reported threat was unsubstantiated. While this incident did not involve a credible threat to our campus, please know that we take all reports of potential threats seriously and used this as an opportunity to remind students of the importance of immediately reporting any safety concerns.
We also wanted to ensure that you were informed about this situation and reassured that we will always implement appropriate safety and security procedures whenever we become aware of a potential threat.
The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priorities. We thank you for your support and partnership with us.
Best regards,
HEA Administration
Highlands Hawks help us inform the community! What will voters see on the ballot this November?
The ballot language shows that funding will continue to support teacher and staff compensation, as well as arts and athletics.
We’re sharing the official language so our community can understand exactly what will appear on the November 3 ballot.
Learn more about the 1-mill referendum, including frequently asked questions and funding information, at www.duvalschools.org/vote.
For Teachers. For Students. For Duval. Our Progress Continues.
The ballot language shows that funding will continue to support teacher and staff compensation, as well as arts and athletics.
We’re sharing the official language so our community can understand exactly what will appear on the November 3 ballot.
Learn more about the 1-mill referendum, including frequently asked questions and funding information, at www.duvalschools.org/vote.
For Teachers. For Students. For Duval. Our Progress Continues.
Dear Hawk Parent/Guardians of students in grades 3-5,
The Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) is a progress monitoring system that is administered three
times per year to track your student’s progress in learning the Benchmarks of Excellent Student Thinking
(B.E.S.T.) Standards. Students in grades 3-5 will participate in the first administration (PM1) of the Grade 3-5 Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) ELA Reading and
Mathematics assessments beginning on August 31st -September 4th.
✨Please carefully review the test administration letter here for more information regarding the test: https://canva.link/tdu0cjj49fpq2vr
If you have any questions related to this test administration, you may contact Ms. Matt or Dr. Brown at (904) 696-8754.
For more information about the Florida Statewide Assessments program, please visit the portal at
https://flfast.org/fsa.html.
We wish your child the very best on test day!
Thank you to our partners at RadiFi for a generous donation of school supplies.
Please join us for our first SAC meeting of the year on Thursday, August 27th at 5:00 p.m. in the Media Center.
Greetings, Hawk Families -- and welcome to week 3!
We hope you've had a great weekend and are recharged for the mission that awaits us. Check out this week's Hawk Parent Update Newsletter right here: https://canva.link/uepx106rz0vstdn
Let's make this week incredible! ✨
#MissionPossible
Dear Parent/Guardians of students in grades K-2nd,
Your Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and 2nd Grade students will take the computer-based Florida Assessment of Student Thinking Assessment (FAST) PM1 beginning Monday, August 24th through Friday, August 28th. You will be provided information about how to see your students’ results after testing is completed.
Testing is an important opportunity for our scholars to demonstrate their progress, and your support at home makes a significant difference in their performance. To ensure your child is set up for success, please support them with the following:
Get a good night’s sleep – Aim for an early bedtime so they are well-rested and focused.
Eat a healthy breakfast – A nutritious meal helps with energy, concentration, and stamina during testing.
Arrive to school on time – Being punctual helps scholars begin the day calm and prepared.
The Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) is a progress monitoring system that is administered three times per year to track your student’s progress in learning the Benchmarks of Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) Standards. The purpose of this letter is to inform you that your student will participate in the first administration of Star Early Literacy, Star Reading, and/or Star Math assessment. FAST assessments are computer-adaptive tests taken on a computer or tablet. The questions get less or more difficult depending on how your student responds, and each student will see different questions from a common item bank. The Star Early Literacy assessment typically takes less than 15 minutes to complete. The Star Reading assessment is usually completed in less than 20 minutes, and the Star Math assessment typically takes less than 30 minutes to complete. Your student’s results from PM1 are for informational purposes only, and you will be provided with information about how to see the results after testing is completed.
You or your student can interact with the online testing platform and review computer-based sample test items and certain released tests at home at https://flfast.org/families.html. For more information about the Florida Statewide Assessments program, please visit the portal at https://flfast.org/fsa.html.
If you have any questions related to this test administration, you may contact Assistant Principals, Ms. Matt or Dr. Brown at (904) 696-8754.
Thank you for partnering with us to help every Hawk succeed!
Sincerely,
Principal Natalya Richie-Graham
Greetings, Hawk Families -- and welcome to week 2!
We hope you've had a great weekend and are recharged for the mission that awaits us. Check out this week's Hawk Parent Update Newsletter right here: https://canva.link/uepx106rz0vstdn
Let's make this week incredible! ✨
#MissionPossible
Greetings, Hawk Families!
We are excited to officially kick off the 2026–2027 school year with you and your child tomorrow, Monday, August 10! The start of a new school year brings lots of excitement — and lots of important information to help everyone start strong. Please take a few moments this evening to carefully review our Week 1 Hawk Family Update for important reminders, updates, and information you’ll need for a successful first week.
View the Hawk Family Update here: https://canva.link/h5p4tuepoffyypz
We can’t wait to welcome our Hawks back to campus bright and early tomorrow morning! Thank you for your partnership, and have a wonderful evening.
Mission Possible begins tomorrow!
