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Highlands Elementary School

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Dr. Langley

Principal’s Message

Dear Cowboy Families,

At Highlands Elementary our mission is to provide an inclusive and positive environment where we inspire our scholars to be passionate lifelong learners while creating memories, achieving success, and becoming productive members of society.

As we begin the 2026-2027 school year, we hope your Cowboy is ready to learn because our Cowboys are going to Rise To The Challenge this year!

Being present and on time every day is important to each student both academically and socially. 

Our school hours are 8:20am-3:15pm (Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri) and 8:20am-2:15pm (Wed)
Breakfast begins at 7:50am
The walker and car loop gates open at 7:50am and will close at 8:15am. 

If your student is a car rider, please be prepared to load and unload your student from the passenger side of the vehicle for safety. This will prevent students and staff from having to walk between vehicles during arrival and dismissal. 

As a space magnet school, our Cosmic Cowboys will have opportunties to learn and grow in Science, Reading, and Math. We look forward to all of the learning experiences our students will have this year including a new STEAM block for students in Graades 3-5! We also have our new school garden to maintain, which was planted by teachers, staff, and the community during our Earth Day celebration in April. We can’t wait to see everyone for our Title 1 Family Nights, so mark your calendars now – Math Night on October 14, Literacy Night on January 27, and STEM Night (including our STEM Mobile Lab) on March 24.  

We can’t wait to see our Cowboys again at Meet the Teacher on Friday, August 7 from 3:30-5:30pm and Day One on Monday August 10th! We are excited to keep learning and growing with our Cowboys this year! YeeHaw!

 

Your Proud Principal,

Ashlee Langley, Ed.D.

What We Offer: Excellence. Success. Future Ready.

  • We Embrace CHOICE

    As a Choice District, we allow parents to select the school they want their children to attend, as long as that school has capacity and program availability.

  • Safety and Security

    Each one of our public schools has a full-time sworn law enforcement officer serving as a School Resource Officer on campus every day.

  • Outstanding Certified Educators and Staff

    Our students have highly-qualified, certified teachers who provide engaging, relevant, and rigorous instruction.

  • Rigorous Curriculum & Student Support

    We offer a rigorous curriculum and systems of support, complete with college preparatory and career and technical education paths to meet the needs of every student

  • Acceleration Opportunities Abound

    Students have the opportunity to take high school credit courses in middle school and to earn college/postsecondary credit at no cost to parents while still in high school.

  • State-of-the-Art-Career Training Programs

    We offer courses that allow students to explore career interests, master workplace competencies, gain employable skills, and earn industry certifications and licensing upon graduation

Testimonials

Mr. Hrncir sitting at his desk

"I have been at Highlands for 25 years and the students are the reason why I'm still here.  I want to make sure that someone is here that they get to see every year.  I want to give them some consistency in their lives.  When they come back each year, they will still see Mr. Hrncir in the Media Center." Stephen Hrncir, Media Specialist

Mom and kids

My three youngest children have been part of the Highlands family for the past 5 years.  The teachers and support staff have gone above and beyond the traditional job description to accommodate their different learning styles and personality types and they are truly invested in their success.  I’m so grateful for their dedication and their impact that will stay with them for many years to come.  Cristina Pina-Simon, Parent

girl standing by Dog Man cut out

"I've been here at Highlands since I was in Kindergarten. I know everyone and what is expected. All of the staff are wonderful people, even if I don't know them, because just by observing them, I know they are good people. It's like my second home. " Aubrie Rios- 5th grade student

Ms. Bass, Gloria and Dr. Langley

Gloria Osterman, Professional Support Staff of the Year

Gloria Osterman, Data Entry Clerk at Highlands Elementary School, for Professional Support Staff of the Year. Gloria has been at Highlands Elementary for ten years and began as a volunteer, moved to substitute teacher, then became a paraprofessional for the 2nd and 3rd grades ASD unit before becoming the data entry clerk. In her time at Highlands, Gloria has built positive relationships with the staff, students, and community every year. Gloria works tirelessly to ensure parents are heard at the front desk, transportation is coordinated for arrival and dismissal for each and every HLES student, and teachers and students are scheduled with careful consideration for student needs.

Ms. Bass, Kyle, and Dr. Langley

Kyle Hartley- Teacher of the Year

I was born and raised in Australia, and I've been a classroom teacher for over 10 years. In 2024, my family and I made the move to the USA and a couple of months after arriving I was fortunate enough to land at Highlands Elementary. What I love most about my career is seeing students experience their A-HA moments, collaborate with each other, and grow on their individual learning journeys. I'm incredibly grateful for the nominations and for being selected as Teacher of the Year, and I look forward to a positive school year ahead.

Mr. Hrncir sitting at his desk

"I have been at Highlands for 25 years and the students are the reason why I'm still here.  I want to make sure that someone is here that they get to see every year.  I want to give them some consistency in their lives.  When they come back each year, they will still see Mr. Hrncir in the Media Center." Stephen Hrncir, Media Specialist

Mom and kids

My three youngest children have been part of the Highlands family for the past 5 years.  The teachers and support staff have gone above and beyond the traditional job description to accommodate their different learning styles and personality types and they are truly invested in their success.  I’m so grateful for their dedication and their impact that will stay with them for many years to come.  Cristina Pina-Simon, Parent

girl standing by Dog Man cut out

"I've been here at Highlands since I was in Kindergarten. I know everyone and what is expected. All of the staff are wonderful people, even if I don't know them, because just by observing them, I know they are good people. It's like my second home. " Aubrie Rios- 5th grade student

Ms. Bass, Gloria and Dr. Langley

Gloria Osterman, Professional Support Staff of the Year

Gloria Osterman, Data Entry Clerk at Highlands Elementary School, for Professional Support Staff of the Year. Gloria has been at Highlands Elementary for ten years and began as a volunteer, moved to substitute teacher, then became a paraprofessional for the 2nd and 3rd grades ASD unit before becoming the data entry clerk. In her time at Highlands, Gloria has built positive relationships with the staff, students, and community every year. Gloria works tirelessly to ensure parents are heard at the front desk, transportation is coordinated for arrival and dismissal for each and every HLES student, and teachers and students are scheduled with careful consideration for student needs.

Ms. Bass, Kyle, and Dr. Langley

Kyle Hartley- Teacher of the Year

I was born and raised in Australia, and I've been a classroom teacher for over 10 years. In 2024, my family and I made the move to the USA and a couple of months after arriving I was fortunate enough to land at Highlands Elementary. What I love most about my career is seeing students experience their A-HA moments, collaborate with each other, and grow on their individual learning journeys. I'm incredibly grateful for the nominations and for being selected as Teacher of the Year, and I look forward to a positive school year ahead.

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