"Most successful men have not achieved their distinction by having some new talent or opportunity presented to them. They have developed the opportunity that was at hand."
-- Bruce Barton
Freeport High School staff and students have the privilege of teaching and learning on a campus that exudes beauty and charm. Our facility’s historic architecture reminds us of our rich history and the distinct honor we have in being Freeport Pretzels. Freeport P.R.I.D.E. is everywhere! That is, we are Positive, Respectful, Impressive, Disciplined, and Educated. As I walk around our school interacting with students and staff, it is always exciting to realize and see the special opportunities available to all of our students.
Students are continually engaged whether they are learning in the classroom or successfully obtaining a new life skill in our Excel program. Many of our students are discovering something new about themselves and purposefully defining their path to college as participants in our AVID Program. Others are learning and embracing discipline, determination, loyalty, and honor through our growing NJROTC program. Still others are developing and showcasing their creative talents in our visual arts, band, and “Grammy Award Winning” music program. In addition, our students are learning new languages and are enrolled in advanced placement, gifted and honors courses through which they have the opportunity to broaden their horizons as well as their knowledge base and become critical thinkers.
FHS students are also engaged outside the school and beyond the classroom through a myriad of activities. We all receive a great deal of satisfaction observing our students participate in Upward Bound and a variety of programs through our local Boys and Girls Club. Many of our students are learning to be responsible decision makers through CHOICES and others are learning to lead by serving through the Servant Leaders program. We have 22 athletic activities for our students as well so that they can learn and apply the valuable lessons learned through their participation in sports to their daily lives. Our students serve the community through our many clubs and organizations as they become contributing and responsible citizens of our local community and our great nation.
Although all of the above mentioned opportunities are wonderful, the most important work we can embark on occurs in the classroom. We are fortunate to have a wonderful staff that is dedicated to high performance standards for themselves and their students. 46 percent of our teachers hold masters degrees with several more currently completing work towards that goal. Our teaching faculty also enjoys a range of experience as the average teacher teaching tenure is 13 years. Our faculty is well equipped to meet the challenges we face and looks forward to the opportunity to overcome each of them.
I am privileged to be the principal of the community that is Freeport High School and to be afforded the opportunity to daily observe the interactions of its members. We have no intent on waiting for opportunities to succeed to present themselves to us but we are fully committed to developing and leveraging those opportunities that are now at hand. This is at the heart of what it means to show “Freeport P.R.I.D.E.!” Go Pretzels!
Sincerely,
Dr. Patrick Hardy
Principal
