Highlands Middle School

The one thing you will find at Highlands are little gifts that show big love! Today Mr. Dustin Smith shared his appreciation for our kitchen staff by bringing them some joy!
Thank you to the Kitchen Staff AND Mr. Smith for showing us all how to support one another!

Only NINE left!! Don't delay!!

Thank you to our dual language program administrators, staff, and teachers for making today’s celebration ceremony a success! BIG congratulations to all the 8th graders completing the program! These 8th graders will be entering high school with the amazing asset of being bilingual and biliterate. Many have earned high school world language credit through the STAMP test and are on their way to success! Congratulations!

Gracias a nuestros administradores, personal y maestros del programa de educación bilingüe por hacer que la ceremonia de celebración de hoy fuera todo un éxito! Muchas felicitaciones a todos los estudiantes de 8.º grado que completaron el programa! Estos estudiantes ingresarán a la escuela secundaria con el increíble beneficio de ser bilingües y alfabetizados en dos idiomas. Muchos han obtenido créditos de idioma mundial para la escuela secundaria mediante el examen STAMP y van por un camino lleno de éxito.
¡Felicidades!

2026-27 Leadership Announcement 📣

Kennewick School District is pleased to announce the selection of Rose Santoy Gilliam as the new principal of Highlands Middle School. She will officially take over the position starting July 1, 2026.

Gilliam brings 18 years of experience in education to the role, including nine years as an assistant principal at the middle and high school level. She currently serves as assistant principal at Sageview High School in Pasco.

Prior to this role, she served as assistant principal at Chiawana High School and Stevens Middle School in Pasco, Wash., and Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, Calif. Her educational career began as an English language arts teacher and AVID coordinator among other instructional support positions in California and Pasco, Wash.

“Ms. Santoy Gilliam is a student-centered leader who understands the importance of creating a safe, supportive environment where every student can thrive,” said Rhonda Pratt, director of elementary education. “Her experience and commitment to helping students reach their highest potential make her an excellent fit for Highlands Middle School.”

She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and teaching certificate from Washington State University, and a master’s degree in teaching from Grand Canyon University.

Last night at the Kennewick School District School Board meeting a former HMS Scottie, Diego Anguiano, was recognized as the outgoing Senior Student School Board Representative.
See the highlights at 7:23-11:00 and then his remarks at 14:26.
Loved also hearing the School Board members say such kind and supportive things about him!

Link: https://youtu.be/YGKF5Israws?si=bx6QBV7q6ul1jlxu

So excited to see just one of our amazing students showcase what we’d like all of them to be!

Congratulations Diego and can't wait to see your continued successes!!

Come to Highlands on Wednesday, June 10th to watch "A Million Miles Away" with your students!
This is the last family event before summer starts!
A Million Miles Away is a movie about Jose Hernandez and his path from a farm worker to becoming an engineer and an astronaut. A tale of perseverance, community and sacrifice to accomplish a seemingly impossible dream.

Doors will open up at 2:45 and movie will start at 3pm.
After the movie we will have a time for families to have some pizza and time to talk about lessons from the movie!

This is a FREE event-there will be some snacks for sale-but popcorn and pizza are FREE.

Due to this movie being a PG rating a student MUST be with their own parent in order to attend.
Please RSVP through ParentSquare so we have enough pizza for everyone!

We hope to see you there!

A special thank you to Kennewick School District Family Engagement for funding this amazing event!

Don't forget!! Sign up today for the Color Run! June 1st will be the best day ever!!

We are so proud of our SRO!!
Thank you Tim for ALL you do for us Scotties!!

John Goldsbury Award

Each year, the Pasco-Kennewick Rotary presents the John Goldsbury Award to one Kennewick Police officer and one Pasco Police officer. The award recognizes officers who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to the highest standards of modern policing and the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self.”

This year’s Kennewick Police Department recipient was School Resource Officer Tim Harris, and the Pasco Police Department recipient was Officer Adam Wright.

Both officers have nearly 20 years of service to our community and consistently demonstrate the professionalism, dedication, and commitment this award represents.

Congratulations to Officer Harris and Officer Wright for going above and beyond in service to our communities every day!

Thank you to Kennewick School District Family Engagement for supporting our school and families with Dual Language teacher classroom and office signs and amazing feather flags that will show the world how proud we are to be Scotties!!

So much fun to be had at this fundraiser!!