Highland Middle School has been recognized by the University of Arkansas Office for Education Policy (OEP) as a “Beating the Odds” school for demonstrating outstanding student growth on the 2025–2026 ATLAS assessments! These awards recognize schools across Arkansas that demonstrate high student growth in Mathematics, English Language Arts (ELA), and Science while serving student populations in which at least 66% qualify for free or reduced-price meals. 🏆 Congratulations, Highland Middle School! 🔬 High Science Growth — Northeast Region This recognition is especially meaningful because it celebrates the academic progress of students who may face additional challenges and barriers to success. Rather than focusing solely on proficiency, these awards recognize how much students have learned and improved throughout the school year. Our HMS science teachers are helping students develop critical thinking skills, explore new concepts, and discover the world around them through meaningful classroom experiences. This award is a testament to the hard work happening in our science classrooms and the commitment of our educators to helping every student make academic progress.

Way to Go, Rebels!

September 30, 2026
Highland Middle School has been recognized by the University of Arkansas Office for Education Policy (OEP) as a “Beating the Odds” school for demonstrating outstanding student gro...
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Once again, Cherokee Elementary School has been recognized by the University of Arkansas Office for Education Policy (OEP) as a “Beating the Odds” school for demonstrating outstanding student growth on the 2025–2026 ATLAS assessments! These awards recognize schools across Arkansas that demonstrate high student growth in Mathematics, English Language Arts (ELA), and Science while serving student populations in which at least 66% qualify for free or reduced-price meals. 🏆 Cherokee Elementary received FOUR awards! 🏆 High Overall Growth — Statewide 🏆 High ELA Growth — Statewide 🏆 High Math Growth — Northeast Region 🏆 High ELA Growth — Northeast Region What makes these awards especially meaningful is the focus on student GROWTH! Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, but not every child begins their educational journey with the same resources or opportunities. Some students face significant barriers outside the classroom, making the work our educators do each day even more important. At Cherokee Elementary, our teachers and staff work tirelessly to meet students where they are, provide the support they need, and help them overcome obstacles to reach their full potential. These awards recognize more than test scores. They reflect the dedication, relationships, encouragement, and individualized support that help our students grow academically, regardless of the challenges they may face. We are incredibly proud of our students, teachers, staff, and families for continuing to demonstrate what it means to BEAT THE ODDS! ❤️🤍 C – Challenge | E – Educate | S – Support

WE CAN’T HIDE OUR REBEL PRIDE!

September 30, 2026
Once again, Cherokee Elementary School has been recognized by the University of Arkansas Office for Education Policy (OEP) as a “Beating the Odds” school for demonstrating outstan...
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Highland High School received its 2025–2026 School Report Card, and we are proud to celebrate the continued growth and progress happening at HHS! The improvement shown over the past year is a reflection of the hard work, dedication, and commitment our students, teachers, staff, and administration put in each and every day. Their continued focus on academic achievement and student success is making a difference! Progress is something to be proud of, and we are excited to see the positive momentum continuing at Highland High School. We couldn’t be prouder of our HHS Rebels! Keep working, keep growing, and keep striving for excellence!

Highland High School Rated "B" !

September 23, 2026
Highland High School received its 2025–2026 School Report Card, and we are proud to celebrate the continued growth and progress happening at HHS! The improvement shown over the ...
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Highland Middle School received its 2025–2026 School Report Card, and we are proud to announce that HMS earned a B! The growth at HMS over the past year is something to celebrate! This improvement in the school’s letter grade is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and commitment shown each and every day by our students, teachers, staff, and administration. Progress like this doesn’t happen overnight. It comes from setting goals, putting in the work, supporting one another, and remaining focused on student success. We couldn’t be prouder of Highland Middle School and the progress being made! Keep up the great work, Rebels — let’s keep growing!

Highland Middle School's School Letter Grade Is In!

September 23, 2026
Highland Middle School received its 2025–2026 School Report Card, and we are proud to announce that HMS earned a B! The growth at HMS over the past year is something to celebrat...
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Cherokee Elementary School has been recognized by the Office for Education Policy (OEP) at the University of Arkansas for the outstanding academic growth demonstrated by our students on the ATLAS assessment! Each year, the OEP releases its Outstanding Educational Performance Awards, recognizing schools across Arkansas for high student academic growth. The OEP emphasizes that growth is one of the best indicators of the positive impact a school is having on its students, and we are incredibly proud that Cherokee Elementary received three awards: High Overall Growth Statewide, High Overall Growth in the Northeast Region, and High ELA Growth in the Northeast Region! This recognition is another testament to the hard work, dedication, and commitment our students and staff demonstrate each and every day. We are proud to see their efforts recognized at both the regional and state levels. Congratulations, CES—keep growing and achieving!

CES Receives Three OEP Awards!

September 23, 2026
Cherokee Elementary School has been recognized by the Office for Education Policy (OEP) at the University of Arkansas for the outstanding academic growth demonstrated by our stude...
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We have some exciting news to celebrate in Rebel Nation! Cherokee Elementary School received its official school letter grade today, and CES earned an A! 🌟 And the great news doesn’t stop there! CES has also been named an Arkansas Gem School and will receive more than $45,000 in reward money for its outstanding achievement! Cherokee Elementary was recognized among the top 5% for overall student growth and was also recognized for growth in both ELA and Math! These accomplishments are an incredible testament to the hard work, dedication, and commitment of our students, teachers, staff, administrators, and families. At CES, their name represents what they strive to do each and every day: C — Challenge students to reach their full potential. E — Educate with purpose, passion, and high expectations. S — Support every student along the way. This recognition reflects the work happening each and every day throughout Cherokee Elementary School to ensure students are challenged, educated, supported, and given every opportunity to succeed. Congratulations to our CES students and staff on this outstanding achievement! Rebel Nation is proud of you! ❤️🤍 C — Challenge. E — Educate. S — Support.

Cherokee Elementary is an Arkansas Gem School!

September 23, 2026
We have some exciting news to celebrate in Rebel Nation! Cherokee Elementary School received its official school letter grade today, and CES earned an A! And the great news...
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🎃🍬 IT’S ALMOST TIME FOR OUR ANNUAL TRUNK OR TREAT! 🍬🎃 One of our largest events across the Highland School District is back—and for good reason! Our annual Trunk or Treat is always a fantastic evening of family fun, and we can’t wait to welcome our students, families, and community for another great year! 📅 Tuesday, October 27 ⏰ 5:00–7:00 PM 📍 A.L. Hutson Center The A.L. Hutson Center will be filled with some of the best games, creatively decorated tables, fun activities, and more candy than you can imagine! 🍭👻🎃 Bring the whole family and join us for a fun-filled evening in Rebel Nation! 🍬 WE NEED OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS! If your business, club, church, or organization would like to participate by setting up a decorated table, game, or activity station, we would love to have you! Please complete the participation form below to sign up. Questions? Contact Angie Duncan at angie.duncan@highlandrebels.org. ❤️🤍 Mark your calendars and get ready for another BIG night of family fun in Rebel Nation! Link to Register https://forms.gle/1Yn43cGs7yDCGDVM9

It's Trunk or Treat Time!

September 21, 2026
🎃🍬 IT’S ALMOST TIME FOR OUR ANNUAL TRUNK OR TREAT! 🍬🎃 One of our largest events across the Highland School District is back—and for good reason! Our annual Trunk or Treat is...
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Highland School District was proud to once again welcome Arkansas State Representative Trey Steimel, who represents District 2, to our campuses! Each September, Highland School District participates in Take Your Legislator to School Month, an opportunity to invite our state representative into our schools to see firsthand the great things happening throughout Rebel Nation. These visits also give our educators and administrators an opportunity to share the programs, initiatives, and everyday work that go into providing the best possible opportunities for our students. During his visit, Representative Steimel spent time with one of Mr. Jeremiah MacDonald’s U.S. History classes at Highland High School and visited several classrooms at Cherokee Elementary School, including those of Mrs. Madison Edwards, Mrs. Candace Gilbreath, Mrs. Jessica Goodman, and Mrs. Sarah Shelley. He was able to see our students and teachers in action and learn more about what is taking place in our classrooms each day. Teachers and administrators also had the opportunity to visit with Representative Steimel about current educational initiatives, the successes we are seeing across our district, and ways our state leaders can continue supporting Arkansas schools, educators, and students. As always, Representative Steimel listened to our educators and made it clear that he is willing to be a voice for our district in Little Rock. We appreciate Representative Steimel’s continued partnership with Highland School District and his willingness to spend time in our schools, listen to our educators, and learn more about the work happening across Rebel Nation. We always enjoy welcoming him to our campuses and appreciate his continued support of our students, staff, and community!

It's Take Your Legislator to School Month in Arkansas!

September 15, 2026
Highland School District was proud to once again welcome Arkansas State Representative Trey Steimel, who represents District 2, to our campuses! Each September, Highland School Di...
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Five HMS art students have been selected for publication in the 2026 Celebrating Art Anthology! Mrs. Riggs-Self says this is the first year she has had more than one student chosen for publication. These talented students placed in the Top 45% of all student entries from across the United States. Their artwork will now move on to the next level, where they will have a chance to be selected for the Top Ten! Pictured from left to right are Aera-Bella Sanders (7th), Alexis Strauser (8th), Brantley Kingsbury (7th), Vera Zhang (7th), and Vivian Zhang (8th). Congratulations to these talented Rebels on this outstanding accomplishment!

Five HMS art students have been selected for publication in the 2026 Celebrating Art Anthology!

September 8, 2026
Five HMS art students have been selected for publication in the 2026 Celebrating Art Anthology! Mrs. Riggs-Self says this is the first year she has had more than one student chose...
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We are proud to share that Highland Middle School has been ranked #27 among Arkansas Middle Schools by U.S. News & World Report! Schools are ranked based on their performance on state-required tests and how well they prepare students for success at the next level. Highland Middle School received an impressive overall score of 91.8 out of 100 — quite an accomplishment! This recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of our students, teachers, staff, and families. At HMS, we continue to strive for excellence each day, and we are incredibly proud to see those efforts recognized at the state level. Congratulations, Highland Middle School! Another great example of Rebel Nation working together to Empower All to Achieve! ❤️🤍

MORE GREAT NEWS FOR HIGHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT!

August 31, 2026
We are proud to share that Highland Middle School has been ranked #27 among Arkansas Middle Schools by U.S. News & World Report! Schools are ranked based on their performance on s...
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🎓 HHS Class of 2006 — it’s time to celebrate your 20th Reunion! Your classmates have a fun weekend of activities planned, and we hope you can join us the weekend of September 18th to reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate 20 years! Come catch up with old friends and help us cheer on the Rebels at Rebel Memorial Field! ❤️🤍 For more information or questions about the reunion weekend, please contact Whitney Martin-Tharp at 870-710-0890. We hope to see the HHS Class of 2006 back in Rebel Nation!

HHS Class of 2006 to Celebrate 20 Years!

August 28, 2026
🎓 HHS Class of 2006 — it’s time to celebrate your 20th Reunion! Your classmates have a fun weekend of activities planned, and we hope you can join us the weekend of September 18th...
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Exciting news for Rebel Nation! Highland High School has been nationally recognized as one of the Best High Schools by U.S. News & World Report! Nearly 18,000 public high schools across the country were included in the rankings, which are based on performance on state-required tests, graduation rates, and how well schools prepare students for college. Highland High School ranked better than 40% of public high schools nationally and was ranked #32 among public high schools in the state of Arkansas! Our staff is committed to providing high-quality instruction, supporting every student, and creating opportunities that prepare our students for success beyond high school. This recognition is a testament to those commitments and to the hard work of our students, teachers, staff, families, and entire school community. We are proud of Highland High School and proud of Rebel Nation! Empowering all to achieve. ♥🩶 #makeitmatter #HighlandRebels

HHS Named a Nationally Ranked High School

August 19, 2026
Exciting news for Rebel Nation! Highland High School has been nationally recognized as one of the Best High Schools by U.S. News & World Report! Nearly 18,000 public hig...
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🚸 School Starts Tomorrow – Let's Keep Our Rebels Safe! ❤️🩶 As students return to school, we ask everyone to help make the start of the year a safe one by keeping these important reminders in mind: 🛑 Flashing Red. Kids Ahead. Stop for School Buses. When you see flashing school zone lights, slow down and stay alert. And remember—Arkansas law requires drivers to stop when a school bus has its red lights flashing and stop arm extended. This applies to traffic traveling in both directions, unless the roadway is divided by a physical median or barrier. Never pass a stopped school bus while students are loading or unloading. 🚗 Be Patient. With the start of school comes increased traffic on our roads, especially during arrival and dismissal. Please allow yourself a little extra travel time, be courteous to other drivers, and be patient with parents, school buses, and student drivers as everyone adjusts to the new school routine. 📵 Drive Distraction-Free. Put the phone down, keep your eyes on the road, and watch for children, buses, crossing pedestrians, and increased traffic around our schools. ⚠️ School Zone Information (Hwy. 62/412) Our school zone is in effect every school day: 🕢 7:20–8:10 a.m. 🕒 3:00–3:40 p.m. During these times, the speed limit is 25 MPH for the safety of our students, families, and staff. The school zone is marked by flashing lights and extends from Mike Watson State Farm on one end to St. Bernards Healthcare Clinic on the other along Highway 62/412. Thank you for helping us keep our students safe as we begin another great year in Rebel Nation. A little extra patience and attention can make all the difference. Let's have a safe and successful school year!

Back to School - Travel Safety Information

August 10, 2026
🚸 School Starts Tomorrow – Let's Keep Our Rebels Safe! ❤️🩶 As students return to school, we ask everyone to help make the start of the year a safe one by keeping these important r...
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🐴 Meet Willie! We're excited to introduce Willie, the newest addition to the Highland School District's School-Based Mental Health Equine Therapy Program! Willie was generously donated by Miss Katie Clay-Thomas and will work alongside our trained mental health professionals during both individual and group therapy sessions on campus. He has already settled in nicely with the rest of the herd and is looking forward to helping support our students throughout the school year. If you believe your child could benefit from our equine-assisted mental health therapy program, please contact our School-Based Mental Health Director, Mr. Ben Cravens, at ben.cravens@highlandrebels.org for more information. 🐎 A Friendly Reminder: We know it's tempting to stop and visit our therapy animals as they graze in the pasture, but we kindly ask that you do not feed them treats or other food. Rest assured—they are well cared for and receive plenty of feed, treats, and love from our staff! A special thank you to Miss Katie Clay-Thomas for her generous donation and for helping us continue to expand the services and supports available to our students. Welcome to Rebel Nation, Willie! ❤️🩶

Welcome to Highland Schools, Willie!

August 5, 2026
🐴 Meet Willie! We're excited to introduce Willie, the newest addition to the Highland School District's School-Based Mental Health Equine Therapy Program! Willie was generously do...
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It's that time again, Rebels! ❤️🩶 We're excited to kick off the 2026-2027 school year! As summer begins to wind down, here are a few important dates to mark on your calendar. 📅 August 3-6 Professional Development for Certified & Classified Staff 🍳 District Welcome Back Breakfast for all employees 🕣 Monday, August 3 at 8:30 a.m. 📍 A.L. Hutson Memorial Center Please note: Additional information regarding professional development sessions, including specific dates, times, and staff assignments, will be shared with employees prior to the start of Professional Development Week. 🏫 Thursday, August 6 – Open House Preschool & Cherokee Elementary: 4:00–6:00 p.m. Highland Middle School: 4:30–6:30 p.m. Highland High School: 5:00–7:00 p.m. Freshman Orientation: 6:00 p.m. at HHS 🚌 Tuesday, August 11 First Day of School for 1st–12th Grade students 🍎 Thursday, August 13 First Day of School for Kindergarten students We can't wait to welcome our students, families, and staff back for another year of learning, growth, and opportunity. Here's to an outstanding 2026-2027 school year! Let's make it the best one yet. Go Rebels! ❤️🩶

We're BACK TO SCHOOL Ready!

July 24, 2026
It's that time again, Rebels! ❤️🩶 We're excited to kick off the 2026-2027 school year ! As summer begins to wind down, here are a few important dates to mark on your calendar....
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The Highland School District is proud to congratulate 11 educators who were recently identified to receive merit pay through the Arkansas Merit Teacher Incentive Fund Program. Together, these dedicated educators earned $49,500 in incentive pay for achieving outstanding growth scores and/or teaching in an identified shortage area. Rebel Nation is proud of their hard work, dedication, and commitment to student success!

Highland Teachers Receive Merit Pay

July 9, 2026
The Highland School District is proud to congratulate 11 educators who were recently identified to receive merit pay through the Arkansas Merit Teacher Incentive Fund Program. Tog...
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Attention Highland Students & Families! The Highland School District is currently organizing and restocking Rowdy's House, our clothing and resource room, and we're excited to once again offer a variety of items FREE OF CHARGE to our students and families! This is the second time we've hosted this community giveaway. We had an amazing turnout and tremendous support during our first event a couple of years ago, and we're excited to once again help our families prepare for the upcoming school year. Here's how it will work: • Monday, July 13 🕗 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 📍 Highland School District Administration Building 1627 Hwy. 62/412 Hardy, AR 72542 Please, no early arrivals. A wide variety of items will be available, including: Clothing (infant through adult sizes) Shoes Coats Undergarments Backpacks Baby gear Miscellaneous household items Please stop by during the scheduled hours and shop for items your family can use. We ask that everyone only take what they need so that as many families as possible can benefit from this opportunity. Please note that everything is available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. We do not have an inventory list of sizes or available items, so you'll simply need to stop by and see what's available. We are incredibly grateful to the many donors who have helped stock Rowdy's House over the years. Their generosity allows us to meet the clothing and basic needs of our students throughout the school year. With an abundance of supplies currently available, we're pleased to share these items with our families as they prepare for a successful new school year. We hope you'll take advantage of this opportunity and find something that will benefit you and your family. We look forward to seeing you on July 13!

FREE YARD SALE!

July 1, 2026
Attention Highland Students & Families! The Highland School District is currently organizing and restocking Rowdy's House , our clothing and resource room, and we're excited to...
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Just a few reminders before we begin our July Life360 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) this Friday! Meal pickup will take place every Friday in July from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Cherokee Elementary School cafeteria. All children ages 1–18 must be pre-registered to participate. Please follow the designated traffic flow by entering through the Cherokee Elementary entrance and driving around to the back of the cafeteria. You will remain in your vehicle, and staff members will deliver your meals directly to your car while you are in line. After receiving your meals, please exit using the service road to Highway 62/412. As a reminder, each child will receive 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and milk for each meal each week. Also, as stated during pre-registration, meals are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. While pre-registration is required to participate, it does not guarantee food availability. We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to serving your family throughout the month of July!

July Life360 Feeding Program Begins This Friday!

June 30, 2026
Just a few reminders before we begin our July Life360 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) this Friday! Meal pickup will take place every Friday in July from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p...
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State and federal guidelines require that all special education due process forms and records be destroyed six years after a student leaves the special education program. If you have a child who received services from the Highland School District Special Education Department during the 2019-2020 school year, you have the right to review and pick up your child’s due process records. They will be available at the Highland School District Administration Office, 1627 Hwy 62/412, Highland or you can call (870) 856-3275. Records not picked up by July 17, 2026, will be destroyed. THESE RECORDS ARE NOT YOUR CHILD’S PERMANENT SCHOOL RECORDS. THEY ARE ONLY SPECIAL EDUCATION DUE PROCESS FORMS AND RECORDS.

Destruction of Special Education Records

June 30, 2026
State and federal guidelines require that all special education due process forms and records be destroyed six years after a student leaves the special education program. If you h...
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🍎☀️ Important Summer Meal Program Update for July! ☀️🍎 Beginning in July, the Highland School District will be expanding its summer feeding program and transitioning to the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) offered through Life360. This program will operate differently than the meal service provided during June, so please review the information below carefully. ✅ Available to ALL children ages 1-18 ✅ Families will pick up meals one time per week ✅ Each registered child will receive: • 5 Breakfasts • 5 Lunches • Milk for each meal Pre-registration is required for every child participating. To receive meals, families must complete the Google Form linked below prior to pickup. Each child must be registered individually. 📅 Pickup Dates (Fridays in July): • July 3 • July 10 • July 17 • July 24 • July 31 ⏰ Pickup Time: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 📍 Location: Cherokee Elementary School Cafeteria Additional pickup instructions and traffic flow information will be shared the week of the first distribution. Please complete the registration form below to reserve meals for your child(ren). We look forward to continuing to serve our community this summer! LINK: https://forms.gle/A9FZWCAYgkRPS9hs7 NOTE: The June feeding schedule will continue as is until June 26

July Feeding Schedule

June 11, 2026
🍎☀️ Important Summer Meal Program Update for July! ☀️🍎 Beginning in July, the Highland School District will be expanding its summer feeding program and transitioning to the ...
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