Highland High School

CALENDARS

These calendars are continually updated and provide all of the important academic and athletic/activities dates for the school year. Please look at them regularly for questions about calendar items.

June 1-June 11, 2026

Highland Ram Family,

This is the last week of school for the 2025-26 school year and will be our last Newsletter until August. We are so proud of our Highland Students this school year. We will miss the Class of 2026. We thank them for the wonderful memories and we are excited to celebrate with them at graduation.

Graduates and students leaving the school district for next school year must check in their chromebooks and chargers to the Highland Media Center before leaving or it will be placed on their student fees. All other students will keep their chromebooks over the summer for next school year.

The last day of school for students is Thursday, June 4th. Finals will be Wednesday, June 3rd and Thursday, June 4th. Please do not call or try and check out your student during finals class time. We want to protect this time and limit disruptions the best we can. Thank you for your support with this.

Below is the finals schedule:

IMPORTANT DATES FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR 2026-27

Looking ahead to next school year, here are some important dates:

June: Off-Season Extracurricular Development Programs Begin.
6/10-7/9/26 Summer School, Contact your school counselor with questions.
6/9-6/12/26 7am-3pm Monday-Friday Office Summer Hours.
6/23-7/29/26 8am-12pm Tuesday's & Wednesday's Office Summer Hours.
8/3-8/8/26 Dead Week. Administration Back in the Building.
8/12-8/13/26 8am-1pm & 4pm-7pm each day. Schedule Pickup/Yearbook Pictures.
8/25/26 7pm Freshman/New Student Orientation @ Highland Gym.
8/26/26 First Day of School.

HIGHLAND GRADUATION INFORMATION

We are excited for graduation! We are so proud of the Class of 2026 and we will miss them. Remember that graduates must attend graduation rehearsal or they will not be allowed to walk at graduation. A few rules about graduation. Graduates must be there an hour early, at 12pm. Also, parents, friends, family members, etc will not be allowed on the graduation floor before or after the graduation. Graduates will turn in their gowns immediately after graduation before reuniting with their family and friends. Please consider this when planning when you will take pictures of your graduate.

Also, please review the guidelines regarding dress and conduct for graduation below and call or email Highland Administration with any questions.

Last thing, please review the important dates and times for the Seniors coming up including Transcript Request, Graduation Rehearsal, Senior Luncheon and Awards, Graduation, the Senior All Night Party, and Diploma Pickup. Here is the webpage where you will find the youtube link for Highland Graduation when it comes available. PCSD#25 Graduation Page.

GRADUATION DRESS AND CONDUCT

Graduation is a formal academic occasion and should be viewed as such in dress and demeanor. The dress and conduct code for graduation is as follows:

Graduates are required to wear caps and gowns to participate in the graduation ceremony.
Clothing must be appropriate for school, in accordance with the school's dress code policy and must be worn underneath the gown. Be neat in your appearance.
No noise makers, beach balls, or anything that distracts or interrupts the ceremony.
Native American students who are members of a federally recognized tribe may wear traditional cultural and religious items inclusive of an eagle feather, and beaded items such as a necklace or medallion during graduation ceremonies.
Caps (mortarboards) must be worn flat on the head with the edges parallel to the floor, rather than angled toward the back or the side.
No decoration or writing of any kind is to be placed on the mortarboard with the exception of around the edge of the mortarboard for cultural celebrative purposes.
Only approved cords and hoods in recognition of scholastic achievement and military designation may be worn over the gown.
Sunglasses are not to be worn.
Gaudy or excessive jewelry is prohibited. Minimal jewelry, scarves and/or ties may be worn under the gown.
Graduates should not carry flowers, cameras or anything else during the commencement ceremony.
Talking or other verbal communication should not distract from the graduation. Eating or drinking during the ceremony is prohibited.
Graduates who do not follow the dress and conduct code as outlined above, may be removed from the line-up at the administrator's discretion.
Parents are not allowed on the turf before or after graduation. Graduates will hand in robes after graduation, so please get all your pictures done beforehand.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION GRADUATING CLASS OF 2026

Graduation is right around the corner. Please be aware of the following dates and check out our google doc that will be updated weekly with important information and dates for our Class of 2026...

Class of 2026 Important Info & Dates

Make Sure and Request Your Final Transcript NOW, QR Code in Registrar's office or on Class of 2026 Document. Only free to request until June 15th and then there will be a fee. The school does not send a final transcript unless it is requested. All colleges require a final transcript.
Graduates must pay fees, if fees are not paid then we cannot release a student's transcript/diploma until they are paid.
6/4/26 10:30am Mandatory Graduation Rehearsal @ The ICCU Dome.
6/4/26 12:45pm Graduates Luncheon & Awards @ the Mountain Event Center (MEC).
6/5/26 1pm (Graduates be there at 12pm with their cap and gown) Graduation @ The ICCU Dome.
6/5 11pm-3am Senior All Night Party @ Geronimos. $50 a ticket purchase in B14 or venmo @lilycady. Ticket includes=graduate gift, large raffle prizes, and unlimited food & drink.
6/10-6/11/26 9am-12pm Diploma Pickup is at Highland each day.

Please reach out to Principal Wallace with any questions.

HIGHLAND & CENTURY 6A & 5A IHSAA SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE!

The Idaho High School Athletic and Activities Association (IHSAA) recognizes schools across the state of Idaho for excellence in academics, activities, and athletics. This is done through a point system. These are points given to a school based on the number of students involved in extracurriculars how they perform in these extracurriculars, how they perform academically, sportsmanship, and citizenship. Typically, Highland places within the top 7 of 6A high schools in the state of Idaho. This year, Highland placed 3rd behind Eagle High School and Rocky Mountain High School! This is the first time in over 10 years Highland has placed in the top 3! Highland also finished with the top score in the state with academics in all divisions and the highest score Highland has achieved for academics in over 10 years! Great job Highland Rams!

Our neighboring school Century High School also placed 3rd in the 5A division! We are so proud of this amazing accomplishment for both schools. This is a testament to students, staff, coaches, directors, and parents. This is a collective award that can only be achieved by everyone pursuing excellence everyday. This is the result of a continual and comprehensive pursuit of improvement leading to excellence. Great job Highland Rams and Century Diamondbacks!

HIGHLAND HEAD CHEER COACH CHANGES POSITION

The Highland Head Cheer Coach, Mrs. Jessica Gallup, changes position after 28 years. Coach Gallup has 16 state championships, 3 national titles, and over 10 state academic titles! She is among the most successful coaches in the history of Idaho Extracurriculars. She literally has written the book for competition cheer in the state of Idaho and developed a program with a standard of excellence aspired to across the state. We thank you you Coach Gallup, we recognize your commitment to excellence, and your success. Thank you for the countless lives you have influenced, the innumerable sacrifices you have made for Highland Cheer, and for your dedication to Highland and the girls you coach.

Coach Gallup will continue to work with Highland Cheer in a different capacity and Assistant Coach Staci Orr will become the new head coach. Both have been coaching together for years and both were cheerleaders at Highland when they were in high school. They are Rams through and through!

Thank you to Coach Orr for being willing to take over as the head coach. Coach Orr has the vision and ability to continue Highland Cheer's success into the future.

HIGHLAND DRAMA FINISHES THEIR FINAL SHOW

Congratulations Highland Drama on an amazing year and on an amazing final show! Their performance of Disney's Decendents the Musical was awesome and so much fun! The performance was amazing! After the show the Seniors leaving us from Highland Drama were recognized. Seniors, thank you, we love you, and we will miss you. We are so proud of our Drama students and Directors. Great job Highland Drama!

HIGHLAND EXTRACURRICULARS-SUMMER WORKOUTS/CAMPS ETC

Highland Extracurriculars are not waisting any time. In-season success depends on off-season development. Some of the summer workouts have already began and camp dates are set.

Please get signed up on Team Reach for the specific extracurricular(s) you are interested in, contact the coach, or contact the Highland Athletic/Activities Director Mr. Bell with any questions.

Highland Football has a parent meeting on Monday, June 1st, at 6pm in the Highland Media Center. Highland Football also has a Player Team Meeting on Monday, June 8th, at 12pm in the Highland Media Center.

YEARBOOK DISTRIBUTION, IF YOU MISSED IT...

If you missed picking up your Highland Yearbook, you can pick it up on the last day of school. Students will not be allowed to pick up yearbooks during class time as the yearbook advisor is busy teaching during this time. With any questions please send an email to Mrs. Pauline Smith.

HIGHLAND ART SHOW

Congratulations on the amazing Art Show Highland's students put on. There were so many skilled and creative pieces of art. Great job Highland Art students and teachers!

HIGHLAND REGISTRAR: IMPORTANT INFORMATION

As we approach the end of the school year, we want to ensure that we have your most accurate contact information on file. Having accurate address information is crucial for us to effectively communicate with you regarding important school events, updates, and emergency situations.

If you have moved or if your current address is incorrect, please update your address with the Registrar's office as soon as possible. You will need to provide 2 current proofs of residency listed below.

Acceptable Proof of Residency (The document must bear the parent or legal guardian's full name and residential address where the parent or legal guardian resides with the student must be submitted (no PO Boxes). Documents must be within 30 days to be considered current.)

· Valid Idaho driver's license, Idaho Identification Card, Tribal Identification Card, or Idaho Motor Vehicle Registration

· Real estate deed or mortgage documents

· Property tax bill

· Residential lease or rental agreement, including Section 8 agreement or off-base military housing (must be on letterhead or Rental Company stationary).

· Current Utility Bill (Gas, Electric, water) with name and service address. Disconnect notices will not be accepted.

If you have any questions you can contact the Registrar's Office at 208-237-1300 extension 4. or via email at whitehel@sd25.us

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our records accurate.

Juniors,

Remember that you must have the required Meningococcal immunization prior to the first day of your senior year. The State of Idaho requires this immunization as a requirement for school admittance.

Please fax updated immunization proofs to 208-237-1350 or email whitehel@sd25.us so we can update records and verify your student is in compliance. Your doctor's office can fax records on your behalf with your permission.

College Career Advisors

Dear Highland Students & Families,

Last one of the school year. Here goes.

Launch Grant – Required Graduation Verification ! Deadline June 30

The CCAs will be at Highland on Wednesday and Thursday, June 10 and 11 from 9 am to noon to help seniors who have been offered, and accepted, their Final Launch Grants and who need to complete one last step: Graduation Verification. When students come to Highland to pick up their diplomas next week, the CCAs can help them with the Graduation Verification step (because we have scans of every senior’s diploma). It is completion of the Graduation Verification step that will release your Launch monies. The state of Idaho has to have evidence that you did, in fact, graduate from high school. Also if there have been changes in your destination or program, the CCAs can help you make those changes on June 10th or 11th.

If you miss us at Highland, directions are below. Just be sure you meet the June 30 deadline.

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This below from the Idaho Launch Participant User Guide, pages 25 & 26

https://cms.nextsteps.idaho.gov/assets/uploads/2026/04/Student-Participant-User-Guide.pdf

Graduation Verification

The Graduation Verification task is the final step in confirming academic eligibility. This task ensures that high school completion records are officially documented.

Important: Do not attempt this task until graduation has occurred and physical or digital copies of proof (diploma, transcript, or other graduation documents) are available. This task may appear on the dashboard months after the initial eligibility confirmation is completed.

Completing the Academic Information

• High School Selection: Select the graduated High School from the dropdown menu.

• Current School Status: Update the status to reflect completion (e.g., Graduated).

• Graduation Details: Enter the Graduation Date and final GPA.

• Document Type: Choose the type of proof being submitted (e.g., Diploma, Transcript) from the Document Type dropdown.

• Proof of Graduation Upload

• Upload Documentation: Use the UPLOAD button or the "drag and drop" area to provide the required proof.

• Specialist Review: Once submitted, these documents are sent to a technical records specialist for manual review.

Submission and Exit Submit:

Click SUBMIT once all fields marked with an asterisk (*) are complete and the document is uploaded.

Cancel: Select CANCEL to exit without saving. The task will remain in the "Actionable Tasks" list on the home screen until it is successfully submitted.

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Seniors => Things To Do

We’ve had this list in the newsletter for a while, but here it is again (with some additions and amendments) – just in case.

To all our much loved seniors, don’t take your eyes off the prize. Here are some things we hope you have done / will do in the next few weeks.

> Watch watch watch your personal email. You may receive scholarship offers, personal email is where final Launch grant offers are made, there may be important FAFSA notices, and other important communications. So please pay attention to your personal email and respond promptly (or stop by the CCAs with any questions).

> Your driver’s license. Do you turn 18 in the next two months.? If so, you HAVE to renew your license promptly – for all kinds of reasons. Your license expires 5 days after you turn 18, and no one wants you driving around on an expired license. Also, you will need a fully updated license to accept your Idaho Launch grant. Heads up. While you’re at the DMV, get a Star Card.

> New-student orientation. Whether you are attending a training program or going to two or four years of college, you are expected to attend, and participate in, a new-student orientation. Check your personal email or your institution’s website to find out what the expectations are and sign up. Orientation is usually when you register for your fall classes and where you can meet with folks from financial aid and scholarships. Don't miss this very important next step.

> School / university email. If you are attending any college or university for 1, 2, or 4 years, you will surely be assigned a school email. Get that all set up and check it regularly because that is where you’ll get news from your faculty, news about financial aid and scholarships, library notices, events on campus, and all the rest. College or university emails often also entitle you to some good discounts if you want to buy a new laptop for college. Go to manufacturer websites and look for deals.

> Launch Grant, Graduation Verification. If you applied for the Launch grant, accepted a contingent offer, accepted a Final Officer, you will next need to do the Graduation Verification. Read more above. The CCAs will help with this step next week.

> ISU New-Student Orientations. They are well underway, and we hope our ISU-bound seniors will make a point to get oriented soon. The next couple of (open) orientations are:

June 9

June 26 (only two more after this one)

Go to isu.edu/nso. The longer you wait, the less time you will have to get your questions answered before classes start, and the fewer class choices you’ll have. Bring unofficial transcripts for your dual credit coursework or request official transcripts be sent. Keep reading.

> Transcripts for Dual Credit. If you took any classes for dual credit, please request official transcripts be sent to the program / college of your choice. Even if you are in dual credit right now, we can request transcripts be sent after grades post. And if you plan to defer, best to request transcripts now. You will go to the National Clearinghouse website, you’ll need a credit or debit card, you should know your Social Security number, and you might need your ID number for each school or college. The CCAs are glad to help with this process (through which you get college credit – gives you a huge leg up).

> Dual Credit, Part II / Advanced Opportunities – All seniors need to check the Profile in Advanced Opportunities (A.O.). Be sure you have used a personal email for A.O. If you have used a school email, change it to your personal one. Access to your Advanced Opportunities (and there is lots of good information there) will vanish within days of graduation if you are using a school email.

> College of Technology. If you plan to attend Idaho State’s College of Technology, please know that you are expected to sit with an advisor for your program before you can be fully admitted. The CCAs can help you reach out to contact them, or you can call 208-282-2622 (Student Services) to arrange an advisor appointment.

> Final High School Transcript. You will pick up your Highland diploma next week (after graduation) and we’ll ask where you want your final transcript sent. College, training, apprenticeships will all want one, but we want to strongly encourage to have one sent to yourself and your personal email. You never know when you might want or need one, so get one now before you have to pay.

> Deferral. Talk to the CCAs about what you need to do to defer your admission or scholarships if you will be deferring the start of college or training for any reason..

There is surely more to remind you of, but we have been favorably impressed by seniors coming in to get things done pro-actively. Kudos.

The year has gone by in a shot. It’s been positive, productive, challenging in a good way, and forward-looking. We hope the summer offers you rest, respite, rejuvenation, and good, safe fun. See you in August. Thanks to students and families for helping us help you.

Your friendly neighborhood CCAs,

Alice Rowe

Sarah May Clarkson

CONTACT INFORMATION-HIGHLAND PHONE (208)237-1300
Highland High School Administration

-Dr. Brad Wallace-Principal (wallacbr@sd25.us) phone ext.103

-Travis Bell-Assistant Principal/Athletic and Activities Director (belltr@sd25.us) phone ext.105

-Ed.S. Jena Wilcox-Assistant Principal (wilcoxje@sd25.us) phone ext.104

-Dr. Steve Morton-Assistant Principal (mortonst@sd25.us) phone ext.107

Bursar

-Shelley Huelsman (huelsms1@sd25.us) phone ext.106

Registrar

-Elaine Whitehead (whitehel@sd25.us) phone ext.114