Dear Wildcats,

Thank you for your support of Winter Park High School!  As we continually strive to be the top producer of successful students in the nation, I would like to share some accomplishments from this past school year.  A high performing school like WPHS does not exist without a dedicated staff, ambitious and inquisitive students, and the support of parents and the community.  We all work together to make our school a great place for learning and achievement.

Here are some of the outstanding accomplishments from this past school year:

• Ranked by the U.S. News and World Report as the #1 school in OCPS, the #35 school in Florida, and the #480 school nation-wide (out of more than 20,000 schools)
• 8 National Merit Scholars
• 17 Super Scholars – Accepted into a Top 20 College or University
• 104 Students earned an International Baccalaureate Diploma
• Over $24 Million in scholarships earned
• Ranked an ‘A’ School by the Florida Department of Education
• Performing Arts: 6 Band Ensembles achieved Superior ratings and 8 student-performers made All-State; 3 Orchestra Ensembles achieved Superior ratings and 4 student-performers made All-State; Chorus was selected as a Disney Candlelight Processional Honor Choir and 12 student-performers made All-State.
• Athletics:15 Metro Championships, 14 District Championships, 4 Region Championships, 10 State Top 10 Finishes, 2 State Runners-up, 2 State Championships, 8^th FHSAA State Academic Team Award, 1^st Bob Berry Metro All Sports Award, 1^st Orlando Sentinel Varsity Cup All Sports Award, 2^nd FHSAA All-Sports Award

Winter Park High School has a rich tradition of academic, athletic, and artistic excellence.  As we hold our students to high expectations, we look forward to recognizing the many achievements that will continue that tradition.

Here are some important dates and reminders:

• October 2-5:      HOMECOMING  WEEK 2018
• October 3:         Homecoming Parade and Roar @Central Park on Park Ave 5pm                       2018 PTSA Homecoming BBQ begins at 6pm 
• October 5:         Homecoming Football game @ Showalter Field 7pm
• October 6:        "Dancing through the Decades" 8pm WPHS Gym
• October 12:        End of 1st marking period
• October 15:       Teacher workday/ STUDENT HOLIDAY  

A weekly electronic newsletter will be available once the school year begins. Send a text message to 22828 to sign up for the newsletter. Enter the following text message content: WPHS. A prompt will then be sent asking for your email address. I hope you find this edition of the Wildcat Watch helpful, and I’m looking forward to a great 2018-2019 school year!

Thanks again for your support of Winter Park High School, “Home of the Wildcats!”

Sincerely,

Matthew Arnold

Principal