News & Events

On March 19, PCSD 25, alongside the Pocatello-Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce, hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of a historic rebuilding project. This moment signifies not just construction, but a testament to resilience, community strength, and the bright future ahead for Highland students.

Board Chair Deanna Judy led the ceremony, emphasizing the district's commitment to both current and future students:

“I am proud to serve with a school board that has a vision for the future and a unified dedication to doing our very best for all of our children. Since the Highland fire on April 21, 2023, our top priority has been rebuilding the school and creating a space that meets modern standards.”

The rebuilding project goes beyond replacing what was lost—it will elevate Highland High School to a modernized facility with:

 New & Improved Spaces – Rebuilt gym, locker rooms, music rooms, and wrestling rooms
 A State-of-the-Art Auditorium – An 850-seat auditorium and drama space, designed to support both students and community events
 Expanded Learning Areas – Six additional classrooms and fully modernized science labs

This project ensures Highland High School, along with Century High School and Pocatello High School, will be equipped for the future of education in our community.

Together, we’re making history—let’s dig in!

March 13, 2025

Dear Highland High School Families and Staff:

Exciting things are happening at Highland High School! We are thrilled to share that on March 17, the Pocatello/Chubbuck School District will take a major step toward rebuilding Highland High School with the start of construction. The district plans to mark this milestone with a ground breaking ceremony on Wednesday March 19 at noon. This event marks more than just the start of construction—it’s a celebration of resilience, community, and the bright future ahead for Highland High School.

As construction moves forward, we want to keep you informed and set clear expectations regarding the construction process. The rebuild will take place in two phases:

• Phase 1 (Expected Completion: January 2027)
  • Gym, kitchen, cafeteria, commons area, and new classrooms ready for occupancy.
• Phase 2 (Expected Completion: July 2027)
  • Performing arts center, music and drama classrooms, and outdoor courtyard.

What to Expect During Construction:
While this is an exciting time, we recognize that construction will bring some temporary inconveniences. We ask for your continued patience and support as we navigate this process together.

• “Progress noise"—the sound of rebuilding: The process of digging and setting footings and compacting soil will generate construction noise, but that noise is a sign of progress! We will accommodate testing schedules and make adjustments as needed to ensure learners continue to excel in their studies.
• Parking limitations: Parking will be especially limited during spring athletic competitions (baseball, track) and fall home games (football, soccer). Please plan for longer walking distances from parking areas.
• Student safety: Construction zones will be clearly marked, and students should avoid interacting with crews to maintain safety and focus. Please remind your child to stay clear of work areas.
• Traffic and pedestrian safety: With construction vehicles and heavy equipment moving in and out, it is crucial for students and families to use crosswalks cautiously. Large construction vehicles cannot stop quickly, so please remain vigilant.

We promise to keep you updated on the rebuilding progress, including scheduling changes that impact staff and learners. Regular updates will be shared through email, the school website, and social media.

This is a historic period for Highland High School, and we are grateful for your continued support. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Let’s dig in and make history—together! Follow the progress at the Rebuilding Highland website.

Sincerely,

Dr. Douglas Howell
Superintendent

Ryanne, an optimistic and upbeat senior who loves to dance and cheer, plans to graduate with a 4.0 and try out for a nationally ranked college dance team. Due to a serious brain tumor, her senior year has been turned upside down as she now has to balance her plans for graduating on time with the difficulty of undergoing regular treatment. Ryanne’ s wish is to go to Hawaii with her sister for some relaxing time in the sun. In order to help Ryanne fulfill her dream, our current fundraising efforts include selling raffle tickets for AMAZING baskets, t-shirts, bracelets, and of course we are taking donations. Please see the attached flyer and click on the links to view the shirts, bracelets, and raffle baskets. Thank you for your support. Highland Student Government. 

Raffle Baskets

T-shirts

Pura Vida Bracelets

Silicone Bracelets

Donation via Venmo

 

This week, the incredible staff at Highland is getting a little extra love. Today, they were celebrated with a sweet treat in their very own CANDYLAND—right in the staff lounge! 🍬🍫

Staff was invited to indulge in all the candy and goodies they could handle because it’s officially a guilt-free cheat day! (Everything is calorie-free, fat-free, sugar-free… and, of course, guilt-free!)

A special shout-out goes to the Highland families who came together to make this sweet surprise possible. It was their way of showing how much they appreciate the staff for their hard work in shaping the hearts and minds of their kids every single day. The purple wall poster is a list of contributors who helped bring this candy-coated celebration to life! 💜

And that's not all! Staff members can also enter a raffle for a chance to win fun prizes like sucker bouquets and gumball machine jars!

Mrs. Ashlee Scherer, a Math teacher at Highland, was selected for the nation's highest honor for teachers of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, The Presidential Award for Excellence. She is a gifted teacher and leader. We are so proud of her being recognized with the nation's highest honor. Great job Mrs. Scherer! Click on the links highlighted above to learn more.

Congratulations to Highland student Trevor Lintvedt who was selected as a National Merit Scholarship Finalist! We are so proud of Trevor and this amazing recognition and accomplishment. Great job Trevor!

Congratulations to Highland Senior Caleb Bringhurst who was selected to represent Highland as Mayor for the Day! He was able to shadow Pocatello Mayor Blad one day this week and had an amazing experience. We appreciate the Mayor and the Mayor's Office in supporting our students in Pocatello/Chubbuck School District #25 and giving them real-life experiences that impact their learning and ambitions for their life. Congratulations Caleb on being selected, an amazing student and leader at Highland who represents all we stand for in our RAM Attitudes, representing himself, his family, our school, and our community with excellence. 

We were able to put new bleachers in the Highland Gym that can provide additional seating so we can host our own games for winter sports and activities coming up. This will require us to stack basketball games instead of having the Freshman and JV at the same time in separate gyms. We are excited to be able to host our events here at Highland. We greatly appreciate the support from District Administration to make this possible. We also want to thank Century and Pocatello High Schools for letting us use their facilities up until now.

Brad Wallace, Principal
Highland High School

 

Highland High School faculty and staff returned from the winter break to one more holiday surprise: an updated faculty lounge, all courtesy of school families and community businesses. 

Spearheaded by local realtor and Highland mom, Michelle Mitchell, the goal of the glow-up was to create a dedicated space for faculty and staff to relax, reinvigorate, and reconnect with one another. 

“After the fire and the bond not passing, I felt like Highland, and specifically the teachers, needed a win,” explained Mitchell. “The staff needs to know they are loved and appreciated, not just by parents like me, but by the community businesses that we partnered with to complete this project.” 

Inspired by the idea for a major makeover, Mitchell worked first to get approval from Highland’s administration with a commitment to clear out the room. She then reached out to her go-to contact list of doers and solidified a plan. Mitchell described how within one day, she had fulfilled the entire list of wants and needs to complete the makeover. 

“I know just the right people to ask,” Mitchell said. “They are the ones who will never say no to supporting teachers and education.”

Mitchell utilized the winter break to coordinate donations for all materials, supplies, furniture, and labor for the project, which was completed covertly just in time for school to resume on January 2. 

The big reveal came with a bow on top, with the room decorated from top to bottom in festive décor and gift cards labeling all of the individuals and businesses who contributed to the project.

“We got back from break to such an amazing surprise,” said Dr. Brad Wallace, Highland High School Principal. “It was packed in here all day. We haven’t really ever had anyone use this space so it was awesome to see teachers in here mingling and see how much the effort was appreciated.” 

After earning the trust of Highland’s administration, Mitchell said she felt a little bit of pressure to avoid letting anyone down. 

“I didn’t want to overpromise and under deliver, but I think it turned out to be a great space that staff can call their own,” she said. 

The element of surprise evoked some emotional responses from staff members.

Highland’s Bursar, Shelley Huelsman, who has worked at the school for twenty-eight years, said, “We had this amazing parent and her magic elves come in over Christmas break and surprise us all. I walked in and was just in awe.” 

Huelsman described how special it was to come in after break to see everyone from teachers and paraprofessionals to substitutes and sign language  interpreters congregating in the revamped lounge.

“We had such a gathering in here all throughout the day,” she said. “Thank you to everyone who made our faculty lounge such a warm and cozy space.” 

Mitchell explained that her hope with sharing this story is that it might spark an effort within the community for people to recognize their children’s teachers for the hard work and dedication that they put in everyday to help with their educational success. 

“As a community, we need to come together to prioritize public education,” she said. 

Watch the video tour of the improved faculty lounge. 

The email note that accompanied the gift included a list of contributors. The note read:

“From your loving community of local businesses and Highland families, we hope the entire staff at Highland High School will enjoy this room as a space to relax, a space to enjoy each other’s company and to also know that we see and appreciate you for all of the time, effort and energy you put into educating our children. You deserve to be recognized and to know that you are valued and hopefully you feel loved and spoiled in this new space.”

Signed, “With grateful hearts, 

Isaac and Michelle Mitchell / Patriot Real Estate 
Nick Hottmann Art / Wall Murals 
Maple Street Sit-N-Sleep
State Farm Insurance / Aaron & Amy Moore / HHS parents 
Evans Dental & Stellar Outcome/ Evans family / HHS parents 
Denise Lane / Ellis Elementary School Principal / school parent 
Chad and Marlow Harding / Patriot Real Estate / HHS parents 
Daren Almond / First Colony Mortgage / HHS parent
Jeff & Amber Tingey / HHS parents 
Justin & Heather Jones / Sage Builders / HHS parents 
Johnathon & Tiffany Hunt / Barrie’s Ski & Sports / HHS parents 
Dustin & Megan Reno / Pocatello Wellness Clinic / HHS parents 
Nick and Lauren Hale / HHS parents 
Wheatley Funeral Home 
Lish Sprinklers / Scott and Missy Lish / HHS parents 
Highland Corporate Sponsors”

Demolition of the fire-impacted facilities at Highland High School began earlier than expected this morning due to an emergency approval granted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EFP). The demolition was originally scheduled to begin on Wednesday, August 2. The area has been secured and the demolition is being led by Paul Davis Restoration. To ensure that this process can be conducted expeditiously and safely, PCSD 25 officials ask that community members avoid the area. 

Dr. Douglas Howell said, "Beginning the demolition ahead of schedule is a great start to getting Highland prepared to welcome learners and staff back to school. We are grateful to all who played a role in initiating the process earlier than we anticipated."

Qai Gerber (Century High School) and Payton Carter (Highland High School) won the two Idaho nominations for the Jimmy Awards in New York City. Sponsored and fully funded by The Broadway League, both students were flown to NYC for 9 days where they worked closely with Broadway professionals on the Juilliard campus in all three areas of acting, singing, and choreography. Out of 140,000 students across the country who auditioned for this program, Qai and Payton were among the 96 students who were chosen to participate. The 9-day program culminated with the actual Jimmy Awards ceremony hosted by Corbin Bleu this past Monday evening. Qai and Payton and the other 94 students performed musical numbers at the ceremony to a sold-out audience, which included several Broadway producers, at the Minskoff Theatre, home of Broadway's The Lion King. It's an incredible honor to be chosen for this program, and we couldn't be prouder of these two Pocatello theatre students!

Payton Carter, a Junior at Highland High School, and Qai Gerber, a Senior at Century High School, made it to the final round, top 8 in the state, of auditions for the Idaho High School Theatre Awards. The top two students will be announced on June 9th and will get a paid trip to the Juilliard Campus in New York. There they will get to work with industry professionals for a week, with the top two students from every other regional program in the country. At the end of that week they will get to perform at the national theatre awards ceremony, the Jimmy Awards. Congratulations Payton and Qai.

Highland Esports is headed to the Idaho High School Esports Association (IHSEA) state championship tournament hosted by Boise State at the BSU Esports Arena this Friday and Saturday (May 12-13th). Highland's Rocket League, Valorant, and Smash Bros. teams worked hard and qualified for the state championship tournament. We would like to send a special thanks to our Technology department who has helped provide us with equipment to compete as well as helping get our equipment moved over the PV-TEC building after the fire at Highland that allowed us to still compete in our district tournament and qualify for state. We would also like to send a special thanks to Bryan Venegas and the Idaho National Guard for helping provide our team members with official jerseys.  

We host our regular season matches and will be hosting tournament matches on our Twitch and Youtube channels.

Boise State will be hosting the state championship tournament on their Twitch channel.

Highland High Schools AP Bio class previously had a field trip planned for the four-year-old class at Mother Goose Preschool. Despite the losses suffered at Highland they were able to retrieve their giant whale and have the four-year-olds join them at PV-TEC. They learned all about marine wildlife, the ecosystem, and the inner workings of a giant whale. "To watch our BIG kids interact with the little kids was precious!" Jena Wilcox, Assistant Principal, HHS.

VIsit the Rampage for more student news and information.

Congratulations to Highland Graduates Yiping Xu, Corinne Anderson, Briley Anderson, Cosette Wood(not pictured), Jordan Mayo, and Josiah Parrish(not pictured)! These students have been accepted into the honors program at Idaho State University. We are proud of the hard work of these students and we celebrate with them in their academic success. We are also grateful to Idaho State University for giving our Highland students the opportunity to continue to grow academically and pursue their post-graduation goals. 

The Pocatello/Chubbuck School District (PCSD 25) is proud to announce that it has achieved the highest graduation rate among the state’s 10 largest school districts. Last spring, an impressive 92.1% of PCSD 25 learners graduated on time, surpassing the statewide average of 82.3%.

This achievement is a testament to the district’s dedication to educational excellence and the success of its learners. PCSD 25 stands out among its large district peers for its continued commitment to providing learners with the tools, resources, and support they need to graduate.

PCSD 25’s continued success serves as a model for other districts in the state, proving that when schools, communities, and families work together, learners can achieve great things.

Cassie Atwood, PCSD 25’s curriculum coordinator, said, “The district's high graduation rate is a direct reflection of the unwavering dedication of our educators, staff, and support systems, who are committed to meeting each learner where they are.”

Atwood added, “The increase in our graduation rate highlights our holistic, hands-on approach to track and monitor each learner’s progress, while providing personalized support necessary for every child to not only thrive but also confidently take the next step toward a successful future.”

In addition to this achievement, PCSD 25 also leads Idaho's largest school districts in teacher retention, reaching a remarkable 91% retention rate for the past two years. This consistent retention rate reflects the district's ability to foster a supportive and collaborative environment for educators, ensuring that learners receive a high-quality education from a dedicated and experienced teaching staff.

"We are incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication demonstrated by our learners, staff, and community," said Dr. Douglas Howell, Superintendent of PCSD 25. "These achievements are the result of a collective effort to create an environment where students can thrive, and we will continue to focus on both academic excellence and teacher retention as essential components of our district's success."

Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 is the leading choice for local education, consistently demonstrating excellence in both learner success and educator satisfaction. In addition to leading the state in graduation and teacher retention rates,  PCSD 25 also offers innovative learning opportunities, including 25 Career-Technical Education pathways to prepare students for thriving careers, and above-average ISAT scores in English, math, and science. With a focus on comprehensive support for all learners, the district provides a well-rounded education that fosters both academic and personal growth.

For nearly 140 years, PCSD 25 has been committed to providing the highest quality education in a safe, supportive, and caring environment. Guided by our motto—Think MORE, Learn MORE, Be MORE Together—PCSD 25 is more than a school district; it is a community of schools, including parents, teachers, staff, educational partners, and community members, all dedicated to the power of learning, fostering strong relationships, and achieving greatness together to best serve the educational needs of local children.

The Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25’s Employee-of-the-Month P.I.E.S. award recognizes employees who Positively Influence Educational Success. The award is for employees who go above and beyond in that effort. 

Mr. Kyle Jenks is Octobers PIES Award recipient. Mr. Jenks teaches 12th grade English at Highland High School.  He was nominated for this award by Tricia Harvala, who is a counselor at Highland. 

In her nomination letter, Ms. Harvala wrote, “While measuring impact can be challenging, one student's heartfelt experience this trimester speaks volumes about Mr. Jenks. She made a compelling case for a schedule change, eager to join his English 12B class next trimester. With tears streaming down her face, she expressed, ‘He teaches me like I am smart. He uses big words, and I understand what he’s saying.’ 
Her genuine plea was truly inspiring. Recognizing the importance of expressing gratitude for those who profoundly influence our lives, I encouraged her to put her thoughts and feelings into writing. Below is segment of the powerful letter she brought me to share with Mr. Jenks, a testament to the positive impact he has made.

After experiencing some challenges the learner wanted to transfer into Mr. Jenks class and wrote, in part, ‘Ever since I met Mr. Jenks I have found hope in myself. The way he teaches really caught my attention because it could be some of the harder texts to understand like one of the famous plays by Shakespeare and he could explain it in a way that just makes sense. He catches your attention immediately and the next thing you know you’re on to a topic that you probably wouldn’t have thought about on a deeper level. He pushes you and really makes you use your brain. I have even talked to other teachers about his class and they have all agreed with me. 

Even though it is not even midterms I had to go in and transfer to his English 12B class because he has truly changed my life. I feel smart now and that I can accomplish anything because he has shown me that I can do those hard things…Mr. Jenks was meant to be a teacher especially to my peers who are young adults that are vulnerable. He has the words and knowledge that will lead them into the right direction. Mr. Jenks needs to be appreciated for what he does because he is changing lives and doesn’t even know it.”

Mr. Jenks was recognized at the Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 and received a $50 gift card from the educational partner for this award, Lookout Credit Union.

This morning, on September 26, 2024, at approximately 8:00 a.m., the Pocatello Police Department responded to a report of a firearm found outside the tennis courts at Highland High School. Officers located an unloaded .22 caliber rifle under a white hoodie and immediately secured the weapon. Additional officers were dispatched to the school and will remain on campus for the duration of the day. At this time, the investigation remains ongoing.

We understand that this situation is deeply unsettling. We want to reassure you that the safety of our learners and staff is our top priority. After a thorough initial assessment, law enforcement determined there was no direct threat to learners or staff to warrant a lockdown. The school day continued as planned, with increased police presence to ensure security. We appreciate the responsiveness of HHS administration and our law enforcement partners to immediately address these serious concerns.

From the Pocatello Police Department:

• The firearm was unloaded when discovered and no ammunition was present.
• At this time, no suspect has been identified, but officers are actively investigating.
• Additional officers will continue to be present at Highland High School to ensure continued safety.
• As an extra safety precaution, a K-9 was utilized in the exterior and interior of the school.

While this incident may cause concern, we believe it is essential that learners remain in school to continue learning in a safe, structured environment. We are committed to maintaining a sense of normalcy for our learners and staff. Counselors and staff are available for any students who may need additional support.

We acknowledge the concerns from parents and the community, and we will work to provide transparency as we receive more information. The investigation is still in its early stages, and while we must rely on law enforcement agencies to release official details, we are committed to keeping our learners and staff safe and informed. Rest assured, the district is taking every precaution to maintain a secure environment so that parents can remain confident in sending their children to school.

We will continue to update you as more information becomes available. In the meantime, if you have any immediate concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to contact your school administration or the district office.

We also encourage families and staff to please review the “Safety Protocol Reminders” document that was recently published or visit our Safe Schools website. We all play a role in keeping our communities safe. Together with our law enforcement partners, including the Pocatello Police Department, we encourage parents to reinforce the concept of “if you see something, say something” as we continue to work together to keep our school communities safe.

Lookout Credit Union is excited to share the funds we've raised in John McCarthy's honor with Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 as we usher in a fresh school year. This year, the 20th Annual John McCarthy Memorial Golf Tournament broke all records by raising an incredible $33,000! These funds will once again be lovingly dedicated to the Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 High School Extracurricular Activities Fund, all in cherished memory of John McCarthy.

This contribution means that each local high school will receive $11,000 to empower students to engage in a variety of extracurricular activities. A standing ovation is in order for our tournament's presenting sponsor, Cole Chevrolet and Cole Nissan Kia. Your steadfast partnership and commitment continue to be the driving force behind this annual success story. And to everyone who participated, thank you for making this year extra special.

#MoreTogether