| Freedom High School
Honor, Excellence, and Tradition |
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|---|---|
| Location | |
| 2500 Taft-Vineland Road Orlando, FL |
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| Information | |
| Type | Public |
| Established | 2003 |
| School district | Orange County Public Schools |
| Principal | Dr. Harold R. Border |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Enrollment | 2,812(2009-2010) |
| Color(s) | Red, White, and Navy Blue |
| Mascot | Patriot |
| Rival | Cypress Creek High School |
| Information | (407) 816-5600 |
| Website | www.freedom.ocps.net |
Freedom High School is located in Orlando, Florida currently under the authority of principal Dr. Harold Border. It's one of seventeen public high schools in Orange County. The school was established in 2003 in order to relieve crowding at nearby Cypress Creek High School; like other relief high schools, they share a rivalry. It's a rivalry dubbed (in sports) as the South Orange Classic. Freedom receives students from Freedom Middle School, Hunter's Creek Middle School and West Ridge Middle School (in Oakridge).
The school is sometimes mistaken for Olympia High School and Timber Creek High School because of the nearly identical campus layouts, and Lake Brantley High School in neighboring Seminole County because of the similar colors and mascot.
The school was to originally to be named after a deceased Marine, but after the September 11 attacks the county decided to rename it to Freedom High School.
FHS is currently an "A" school. (2010–11)
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Freedom has a variety of academic programs for its prestigious students. These are: Monticello Academy, AVID, Advanced Placement(AP), Academy of Mass Media, Academy of Hospitality, and Early Childhood Education Academy.
In addition to that students have a chance to receive career and technical training through their Tech Prep and Dual Enrollment Program at 3 of the local tech schools and Valencia Community College.
The Monticello Scholar Academy of Excellence offers a course of study designed for students who compete academically at the national level. This rigorous and relevant curriculum will build and develop personal relationships. The Monticello Scholar Academy of Excellence focuses on developing the whole child through a tradition of: Leadership, Service, Honor, Excellence & Tradition.[1]
AVID- Advancement Via Individual Determination is a fourth through twelfth Grade system that prepares students academically and make them eligible for college.
Students involved in the program are enrolled in their school's most challenging and rigorous classes, Honors and AP, and develops each students organization and study skills.
At Freedom High School, students will enroll in college preparatory courses and the AVID elective class. In the AVID class, students are taught the needed skills for success and tutored in collaborative working groups with mentors. In the AVID elective class student are taught study skills, Cornell note taking, time management, writing, reading, and research skills. Students also learn about colleges and universities (especially the application and financial aid processes) and prepare for college admission tests such as the SAT or ACT. Students are encouraged to explore occupations through research,curriculum, and guest speakers.[2]
Advanced Placement program sponsored by College Board are a series of college-level courses in which you can take exams (through College Board) to receive college credit.
Freedom offers many Advanced Placement Classes. All of our AP instructors, class content, and syllabus have been approved by the College Board.
AP Classes offered:
2-D Design; Drawing, US History, Psychology, World History, Human Geography, US Government, Euro History, Music Theory, Physics C E&M, Physics C Mech, Physics B, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Biology, Environmental Science, Statistics, Chemistry, German, Economics, English language and Composition, English Literature, Spanish Language.[3]
The Academy of Travel and Tourism is one of several model programs established by the National Academy Foundation. These academies work by combining career-oriented courses in the classroom with career building experiences in local business and in the community.
It motivates students to complete a Hospitality oriented high school curriculum, to develop career goals, and to purse higher education.
High school students have an opportunity to learn about and prepare for college careers in Hospitality services and to interact in a meaningful way with their school and business community.[4]
The Academy of Early Childhood Education is for students who are interested in pursuing a career in Education or working in the child care industry. The academy offers students a rigorous and relevant curriculum, hands-on training, and opportunities for earning state certifications, the Early Childhood Professional Certificate, as well as scholarships and college credit. The academy students will work with the children on campus at Freedom Friends Preschool, local daycares, elementary and middle schools. The program consists of 120 hours of classroom instruction and 480 hours of direct work with children.[5]
Dual enrollment or DE involves students being enrolled in two separate, academically related institutions. A student goes to High School while also taking higher level courses at a local Community College or University. Credits received at the College level counts towards High School Credit as well.
Students have a chance to duel enroll at Mid Florida Tech, Westside Tech, and Orlando Tech.
Juniors and Seniors with a 3.0 unweighted G.P.A in Orange or Osceola County are given the chance to dual enroll at Valencia Community College to start their college education while still attending high school. This allows students to not only receive their high school diplomas but receive a college degree as well.
Dual enrollment courses become part of a permanent college transcript, so students must commit to doing the work required or risk jeopardizing future college plans.[6]
Freedom High School has a vast variety of clubs and sports that they allow their students to participate in.
Freedom strives to offer as many sports as possible to both male and female students. All Athletic programs at Freedom High School will stress academic success, physical fitness, character development, discipline, and good sportsmanship. The athletes represent the school and community and are expected to be student leaders with positive behavior.
There are a variety of sports to get involved with: football, girls' flag football, volleyball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, swimming and diving, wrestling, weightlifting, track and field, water polo, golf, baseball, softball, and tennis.[7]
The teams are commonly referred to as "The Patriots" and the females as "Lady Patriots")
For the first time in the school's history, the Varsity Baseball team made it to the District Tournament.(2009–10)
Girl's Soccer Team (2009–10)made it to Regionals. The farthest the team has ever gone in FHS History. They lost to Ocoee in the opening round of Regionals
FHS football, first time in history, 8-2 record (2005–2006) and then again in 2010-2011. The 2006 team made it into the state playoffs but lost in the first round.
In the inaugural season, the Patriots Men's Soccer team went UNDEFEATED during the regular season.
There are a variety of performing and visual arts programs. Band, Ceramics, Chorus, Drama, Drawing, Orchestra, painting, and photography are just the few programs available at Freedom High School.
One element the school prides itself on is the performing arts department. In the 2009-2010 school year, all groups in the department (Orchestra, Band, Chorus, Drama) received straight Superior ratings at their respective all county competitions. In 2010-2011 all groups also received straight superiors at at district level MPA. Along with the top ensembles receiving over all superiors at the state level.
Freedom High School's Student Government Association are the prime representation of the student body. They establish honor, excellence, and tradition,insure cooperation, provide for the common welfare of the students, promote the "Patriot" spirit, and secure integrity in leadership. It has one of the best sponsors in the district.
In 2005, a chemistry teacher was arrested for showing students how to make explosives.[8]