Dear Sharks and Families,
Welcome to a brand-new school year at Destin High School! Whether you are returning for another year or joining us for the first time, we are thrilled to have you as part of the Shark family. This year promises to be one filled with growth, achievement, and unforgettable moments, both inside and outside the classroom.
Dr. Kelley has challenged all of us, students, staff, and families alike, to embrace this year’s theme:
ELEVATE.
Elevating means striving to rise above where we are now, pushing ourselves to achieve more, and setting a higher standard in all that we do. Whether it’s aspiring to be a stronger leader, demonstrating the highest level of respect and appropriateness in our school community, or setting personal goals to earn more A’s on your report card, we each have the opportunity to take ourselves to the next level.
At Destin High School, we believe in challenging limits, seizing opportunities, and supporting one another so that every Shark can reach their full potential. Let’s make this year a time when we work harder, stand taller, and aim higher, both individually and collectively as a school community.
Thank you for trusting us with your children’s education and for partnering with us in building a culture of excellence. Let’s embrace this year with determination, enthusiasm, and the shared commitment to ELEVATE in every way possible.
Here’s to a FINomenal year ahead, let’s make it our best yet!
FINS UP,
Mr. Williams
Executive Director
Destin High School
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Dear Students,
I am so excited to welcome you back for another incredible year at Destin High School! The first day of school is Monday, August 11, and we will begin promptly at 8:00 AM. The gates will open at 7:30 AM so you’ll have plenty of time to pick up a copy of your schedule, connect with friends, and find your classes before the first bell rings.
This year, our theme is ELEVATE, and I want each of you to think about what that means for you. Maybe it’s elevating your grades, your leadership, your friendships, your effort in class, or even the way you show kindness and respect to others.
Elevating means refusing to settle for “good enough” and instead aiming for your personal best in all that you do.
We are committed to making this year an ELEVATED experience, a year full of opportunities to grow, to succeed, and to make memories that will last a lifetime. I believe in you, and I know that together, we will achieve great things.
I can’t wait to see each of you on Monday morning with your best Shark spirit ready to shine!
Stay Elevated Sharks,
Dr. Kelley
Principal
Destin High School
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This week is a "B" week and Friday, August 15 will have periods 4, 5, 6. |
Please see an important update for parents from the Florida Commissioner of Education
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As we begin the new school year, please review the following parking and traffic flow details to ensure a safe and smooth arrival and dismissal process:
🚗 Parking Designations:
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Green Parking – Staff Only: All faculty and staff will be assigned a numbered green parking space. Staff may paint their spot if they choose!
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Yellow Parking – Seniors Only: A limited number of yellow spots are available for seniors. These are being sold by the senior class on a first come, first serve basis and are available for purchase at: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/R2P5WA?vid=1ktd2m (only 22 spots remain). The senior parking spot fee is in addition to the regular parking pass.
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Blue Parking – Students & Overflow: All other student drivers and overflow parking should use blue spaces. Parking passes are required and cost $100. They are available for purchase on this form.
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Purple Parking – Visitors: Guests and campus visitors should use the purple designated area.
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Orange Parking – Custodial & Utility Vehicles Only: Reserved for custodial staff and school utility trailers.
🚦Traffic Flow & Drop-off/Pick-up Info:
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Orange Line = Bus Zone: This is the designated pick-up and drop-off area for buses only. Please do not use this area for car-line riders.
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White Line = Car Rider Line: This is the ONLY approved area for student drop-off and pick-up by car for morning and afternoon pickup.
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Red X = No Drop-off/Pick-up Zone: These areas are strictly prohibited for any car rider drop-off or pick-up. Please help us avoid congestion and keep all students safe by following this rule.
Please review the attached map carefully and follow all signage and staff directions on campus.
Thank you for helping us create a safe and efficient environment for all students and staff!
Gates open at 7:30am for drop-off.
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Destin High School will follow the Okaloosa County School District’s guidance on student cell phone use, in accordance with Florida House Bill 1105 (2025).
During instructional time, cell phones must remain put away and out of sight unless a teacher gives permission for educational purposes. Students who violate this policy may have their phone temporarily confiscated, and repeated violations may result in disciplinary action.
For emergencies, please follow the procedures outlined by OCSD:
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Student to Contact Family – Go to the main office
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Family to Contact Student – Call the main office
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Medical Needs – Students with documented medical conditions (IEP, 504 plan, or health plan) may have approved phone access
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School Emergencies – DHS will communicate directly with families
Our goal is to create a focused, distraction-free learning environment while maintaining clear lines of communication for urgent matters.
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Destin High School is now using ParentSquare as our all-in-one communication platform to help keep you better informed, more connected, and engaged with your student’s education.
With ParentSquare, you’ll receive all school, grade-level, and classroom communications in one place—translated into your preferred language and accessible by email, text, app, or web. You'll also be able to:
- Stay updated on school news and events
- Message teachers and staff directly
- Complete forms and permission slips
- Sign up for conferences and volunteer opportunities
- View calendar items and school photos
To make this transition as smooth as possible, please delete any BAND or Remind apps you’ve used for Destin High School in the past. Moving forward, ParentSquare will be the only platform we use for school communication.
We highly encourage you to download the free ParentSquare app for iOS or Android to stay fully connected. You can also log in at www.parentsquare.com from any web browser.
Thank you for partnering with us to support your student’s success!
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At Destin High School, dressing for success means being ready for college, career, and representing our Shark community with pride. Our Acceptable Dress for Shark Policy ensures students present themselves professionally and respectfully while being easily identifiable as DHS students.
👕 Shirts & Tops
✅ Must have sleeves to the edge of the shoulder (no spaghetti straps, one-shoulder tops, or tops that fall off the shoulder)
✅ Polos, button-down shirts, t-shirts, PFG shirts are welcome
🚫 No thin straps, crop tops, or tops exposing the abdomen
👖 Dresses, Pants, Shorts, Skirts
✅ Must cover the middle of the thigh and fit appropriately (not skin-tight or revealing)
✅ Khakis, blue jeans (no rips), pants, skirts, and shorts worn at the waist
🚫 No spandex and/or leggings as pants (unless covered to the mid-thigh), or clothing exposing the midsection, buttocks, or upper thigh
💙 Spirit Wear
- Shark spirit shirts may be worn any day
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Every .5 Friday is Spirit Day — wear DHS gear to show your school pride!
Let’s start the year looking sharp and showing what it means to be a Shark! 🦈
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Are you creative, full of school spirit, and ready to be part of something BIG at Destin High?
DHSPN is the heartbeat of our school, where students, athletics, clubs, and entertainment all come together. We post it. We capture it. We cover it. We share it. And we want YOU on the team.
📸 Positions include:
- Sports Coverage
- Student Spotlights
- Club Highlights
- Game Day Coverage
- Behind-the-Scenes Features
- Entertainment, Trends & More
No experience needed — just bring your energy and Shark Pride! 💙
Let’s continue building something special together.
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We meet Fridays after school in the Destin High School Studio (across from Mr. Williams’ office).
Last year, our members:
• Broadcast live on DestinFM
• Created the first-ever DHS podcast — Shark Talk
• Produced commercials
• Hosted interviews with two Miss Destins and other local celebrities
• Learned hands-on skills in podcasting and broadcasting!
This year is going to be even bigger and better!
First Meeting: Friday, August 29th at 11:20am
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Our Destin High School Cross Country Team showed up strong at the Josh Sprinkle 5K today (Saturday, Aug 9) at Fort Walton Beach High School, and brought home $800 for the DHS Cross Country Program! 💙🦈
A huge thank you to our athletes, coaches, and supporters who came out early, met at our Shark canopy, and proudly represented our school. Your hard work and community spirit make us proud every day.
#SharkPride #DHSTrack #GoSharks
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When: August 13 & 14 at 3:30 PM
Where: Kelly Plantation Golf Club
📍 307 Kelly Plantation Drive, Destin, FL 32541
Who: Open to ALL interested Destin High School students!
Join Coach Robert Whitt for golf tryouts as we get ready to launch another exciting season on the greens. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just getting into the swing of things, we welcome all skill levels to come out and compete for a spot on the team.
🏌️♂️ Bring your clubs, wear proper golf attire, and get ready to represent the Sharks with pride!
📧 Questions? Contact Coach Whitt at:
Let’s go, Sharks! 🦈⛳
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Are you interested in re-establishing a Destin High Girls Golf Team?
We want YOU on the green this season!
📅 Interest Meeting:
🕕 Tuesday, August 12th at 6:00 PM
📍 Destin High School Cafeteria
No experience? No problem! Come out to see how you can represent DHS on the course this fall.
Bring a friend and get ready to swing into a great season! 🦈💚🏌️♀️
#SharkGolf #GirlsGolf #DHSathletics #TeeItUp
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To be cleared to participate in athletics at Destin High School, all student-athletes must follow the step-by-step directions outlined in the clearance guide linked below:
Please note:
You are not cleared to participate in any practices, tryouts, or games until ALL required forms are completed and uploaded, and you have received an official clearance notification through the system.
Thank you for your attention to this process. Let’s have a great season, Sharks! 🦈
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Dear Shark Families,
If you have not purchased your student’s Chromebook, there’s still time!
You may purchase a Chromebook now through our school’s lease-to-own program using the link below.
You may pay in full or choose a convenient payment plan:
Alternatively, if you prefer not to purchase a Chromebook, your student may use a school-issued device by paying the $100 annual Tech Use Fee.
You may pay in full or choose a convenient payment plan:
Please complete one of the two options as soon as possible to ensure your student is ready for the first day of school.
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🚗 Time to Purchase Your 2025–2026 Parking Pass!
Students who plan to drive to school this year will need to purchase their annual parking pass for the 2025–2026 school year. Parking passes must be purchased before the end of the first week of school.
🎟️ Cost: $100
Parking passes are required for all student drivers and will be available for pickup during the first week of school.
Be sure to complete your purchase soon to secure your spot!
Let’s start the school year ready to roll!
#SharkParking #GoSharks #ElevAteDHS
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Destin High School uses hub stops for student transportation. That means you just need to be at the closest hub stop to you at the appointed time to ride.
✅ No special sign-up required — just show up!
✅ Arrive a few minutes early to ensure you don’t miss the bus.
📄 Pickup & Drop-off Schedules are available here:
Let’s make this a safe and smooth start to the year on the bus! 🦈
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Shark Families — the countdown is on! 🦈 The first day of school is Monday, August 11, and the school day begins promptly at 8:00 AM. Please make sure your student arrives early and ready to start strong!
To help your family stay on top of all important dates — including holidays, early release Fridays, grading periods, testing windows, and more — we’ve published the full 2025–2026 School Calendar online.
✅ View the calendar here:
A smooth start begins with being informed and prepared. Let’s make this our best year yet as we continue to ElevAte every aspect of school life together!
#FirstDayReady
#ElevAteDHS
#SharkLife
#GoSharks
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Dear Shark Families and Friends,
At Destin High School, we believe that great things happen when community, purpose, and opportunity come together. As a tuition-free public charter school, we were founded to do things differently and better. We offer a dynamic, college and career-focused experience with the look and feel of a private school and the accessibility of a public one.
We’re proud of the academic and extracurricular programs our students enjoy, but here’s what many people don’t realize:
As a charter school, we do not receive the same level of funding as district schools. This year, we will receive only 60% of the local millage tax funding per student. We won’t reach full funding parity with Okaloosa County School District until 2028. And while we benefit from the county’s half-cent sales tax for facilities, these limited funds don’t cover the full cost of an exceptional public education.
That’s why we created the Anchor Annual Fund, a vital giving initiative that supports every student, every day. It helps fund classroom materials, technology, safety upgrades, academic support, counseling, enrichment programs, and more.
🔹 Our goal is simple: 100% participation by our families.
Whether you give $25 or $2,500, your participation matters.
Every gift sends a powerful message that we are all in on our mission and our students.
This Annual Fund is part of a broader strategy to grow our financial sustainability. Our overall fundraising goal for the year is $800,000, which includes not only the Anchor Fund but also major gifts, grants, and special events. We recognize that to build a secure future, we must diversify our revenue streams and establish donor pathways that align with the needs of our community.
For those interested in making a larger impact, we also offer opportunities to support strategic priorities like:
- Recruiting and retaining the best and brightest educators
- Expanding our Career and Technical Education programs
- Investing in our campus and athletic facilities to meet student needs
And giving isn’t limited to dollars, your time and talent are just as valuable. If you’re looking for ways to get involved, we invite you to participate in our Parent Liaison Group (See below), where your voice, service, and ideas make a meaningful difference.
💙 As a charter school, we have the freedom to innovate, offering a customized, student-centered experience you won’t find anywhere else. We provide multiple pathways to success, a vibrant campus culture, and hands-on learning that reflects the best of what public education can be.
Let’s build something remarkable—together.
🎯 Make your gift today:
Sincerely,
Mr. Williams
Executive Director
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Sharks, we need YOU! 🦈💙
We’re launching our 'Sponsor a Teacher ' campaign—just 38 teachers need champions like you! For $1,000, you’ll directly support student success, classroom innovation, and essential supplies for the year.
Whether you’re a proud parent, local business, or alumni, this is your chance to leave a legacy.
Let’s unite and sponsor every single teacher before the school year kicks off.
Thank you for being part of our community. Together, we build excellence, one teacher at a time.
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Did You Know?
Just $10 a month can help provide classroom materials, fund student events, and improve our campus.
If 100 supporters gave up just one fancy coffee each week, we’d raise over $24,000 a year, enough to change lives at Destin High School.
Give up a latte, just one a week,
To help our school reach goals we seek.
A streaming sub, a snack on the go,
Trade a little to help us grow.
Give up the extra, not the heart,
Each small gift plays a mighty part.
From classroom needs to dreams we chase,
You’re helping build a stronger place.
So join the wave, make kindness track,
It’s time to Give Up to Give Back.
Your small change fuels a future bright,
For every Shark, a guiding light.
🎁 Start your ripple effect today:
Let’s build a better Destin High, one small sacrifice at a time. 💙🦈
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Dear Parent/Guardian,
In compliance with Section 1012.42 Florida Statutes, “when a teacher in a district or school is assigned teaching duties in a class dealing with subject matter that is outside the field in which the teachers is certified, outside the field that was the applicant’s minor field of study, or outside the field in which the applicant has demonstrated sufficient subject area expertise, as determined by school board policy in the subject area being taught, the parents of all students in the class shall be notified in writing of such assignment”.
The following teachers are Out of Field in the ESOL:
Cameron Gordon
Katherine Lake
Tara Paretti
Wendy Gill
Chef Davy Murray
Anindya Basu
These teachers are actively working on satisfying these ESOL requirements. Once the teacher completes the necessary coursework, he or she will no longer be reported as out-of-field.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this notice, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Respectfully,
Ms. McNamara
Assistant Principal
850-204-4044 ext. 1103
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If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. You can reach out via the following links:
- (850) 204-4044
- info@destinhighschool.org
- www.destinhighschool.org
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