Shark Families,
As we step into September, I want to thank the 16 families who have already given to support our Annual Anchor Fund. Every single gift, no matter the size, directly impacts our students by fueling programs, opportunities, and experiences that make Destin High so special. Our goal remains 100% family participation, and we need your help to get there. Please consider making your gift today: https://destinhighschool.harnessgiving.org/campaigns/18352
September also brings a full lineup of athletic contests and school events. I encourage you to come out and support our Sharks; your presence makes a difference for our students. To stay connected, please visit our school website and subscribe to the calendar so you never miss a game, performance, or school event.
Looking ahead, I am excited to announce that our Tide Leaders are working diligently behind the scenes to prepare for our annual fundraisers. Furthermore, they are busy planning the First Annual Destin High School Shrimp Boil, which will be held during the Destin Fishing Rodeo at AJ's at the Destin Harbor. This promises to be a wonderful new tradition, and we are seeking parent volunteers to help make it a success. If you are interested in getting involved, please join the Tide Leader group in ParentSquare to learn more about how you can support this and other fundraising efforts for our amazing school.
Thank you for your generosity, your time, and your commitment. Together, we continue to build something extraordinary at Destin High School.
Have a FINtastic weekend and Go Sharks,
Mr. Williams
Executive Director
Destin High School
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At Destin High School, we are committed to ensuring that every student has access to a healthy meal each day. Each year, our school is responsible for funding an annual free and reduced lunch bill. This year, that expense is nearly $50,000! We could not do this important work without the support of our incredible community partners.
A heartfelt thank you to:
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Barbery Coast – $500 toward free/reduced lunches
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Amvet Post 29 Destin – $1,000 toward free/reduced lunches
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Destin Methodist Church – $8,000 toward free/reduced lunches
Your generosity directly impacts our students, ensuring no Shark goes without a meal. We are deeply grateful for your partnership and for helping us care for our school family in such a meaningful way.
Go Sharks! 🦈💙
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Shark Shop and Spirit Wear Wars |
The Shark Shop is open and packed with deals!
⏰ Opening Hours:
- Mondays & Wednesdays: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Fridays: 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
🎉 This Month’s Deal (September Only):
Buy one item, get 25% off the second item!
👕 Spirit Wear Wars are Here!
Here’s how it works:
- Certain staff and student leaders will have special Shark Tickets to hand out.
- If you’re spotted wearing Shark spirit wear at school, you could earn a ticket.
- Drop your ticket off in the drawing bucket at the Shark Shop as each ticket is an entry into a drawing for awesome prizes!
Don’t miss your chance to gear up, show your Shark pride, and win big!
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Shark Families,
As your principal, my focus is almost always on academics, curriculum, instruction, and the success of every student.
However, today I want to echo Mr. Williams' sentiment and discuss what makes all of this possible: funding.
The truth is, strong academics only happen when our school is resourced. The Anchor Annual Fund fuels the programs, opportunities, and experiences that enable our students to thrive in the classroom and beyond. From technology to arts, athletics to enrichment, these are the building blocks that create the environment where excellence in learning can flourish.
That is why I am asking each of you to participate in the Anchor Annual Fund. It’s not about the size of your gift; it’s about showing our students that every family stands behind them. Whether you give $2, $20, $200, or more, your contribution ensures that Destin High School remains a place where students can reach their highest potential.
Please join us today:
Thank you for supporting our mission and ensuring that strong academics at DHS are backed by strong community support.
With gratitude,
Dr. Diane Kelley
Principal
Destin High School
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The weekly schedule has been adjusted, Friday dismissal for students staying for lunch will be at 11:50 AM (not 12:00). |
To help keep traffic moving smoothly and safely around our campus, ALL drivers must make a RIGHT TURN ONLY when exiting during drop-off and pick-up.
✅ Right turns reduce congestion
✅ Keeps traffic flowing for everyone
✅ Improves safety for students and families
Thank you for following this procedure and helping us keep our campus and surrounding roads safe and efficient!
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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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Scholarship Opportunities |
It’s time! We are excited to announce that this year’s scholarship fund in honor of Ellison McCraney Ingram is open for applications. The Ellison McCraney Ingram Foundation scholarship is awarded to a high school senior who has benefited from one of the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation partner charities throughout his or her lifetime. This year, EMIF is also offering an at-large up to $40,000 scholarship as well!
Interested students can use the link below to apply!
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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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Tide Leaders are parent ambassadors who help fuel Destin High School through giving, events, and community connections.
From supporting the Anchor Annual Fund to helping with events like the Shrimp Boil, the Christmas Market, and the Shark Classic Golf Tournament, Tide Leaders make a lasting impact on our students and staff.
Interested in joining?
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Sharks, mark your calendars! 🦈
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Friday, October 24 – Join us at Destin Middle School for our Home Football Game!
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Senior Night will be celebrated pre-game as we honor our fall sports seniors.
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Homecoming festivities will take place at halftime of the game.
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Saturday, October 25 – Don’t miss the Homecoming Dance! 💃🕺
Come out and show your Shark pride as we celebrate our seniors and enjoy an unforgettable Homecoming weekend!
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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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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.
📄 Updated Pickup & Drop-off Schedules are available on the school website!
Let’s make this a safe and smooth start to the year on the bus! 🦈
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Shark Families
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 property 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 Tide Leader 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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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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