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ABOUT US

HAAPN is the Highlands Advanced Academics Parent Network, a grassroots movement that began in the vibrant small community of Highlands County, Florida.  We are an ever-growing group of supportive parents who joined together in 2004 to advocate for increased opportunities for our district's high ability students.  HAAPN strongly encouraged the school district to support an advanced academic program in our public schools. 
 
District officials agreed from our very first meeting that high ability students could benefit from a more challenging curriculum.  With the enthusiasm and expertise provided by teachers, administrators, and school board personnel, Highlands County has developed an innovative program called HAART (Highlands Advanced Academics Rising Together). The HAART program was launched in upper elementary classes throughout our school district in the fall of 2005. 

HAART classes are now offered for grades 1-5 in every public elementary school in Highlands County, and some schools also offer advanced kindergarten classes.  Advanced academic classes have also been established in all district middle schools for grades 6-8, and our next goal is to support improved advanced course offerings at the high school level. 

Rigorous preparatory classes will be offered for 9th and 10th graders at all three public high schools in Highlands County, and we are pleased that Sebring High School has been granted official Candidate School status for the two year IB Diploma Programme. Upon approval of the SHS program by the International Baccalaureate Organization, Highlands County's 11th and 12th grade IB Diploma Programme will be located at Sebring High School.

The Highlands Advanced Academics Parent Network has a unique partnership with the Highlands County school system.  Together we encourage all Highlands County students to reach their highest potential and develop a lifelong passion for learning!