Welcome Back, Grenadiers!
There is nothing quite like the excitement of a new school year. Seeing our students, families, and staff come together reminds us of what makes Colonial High School such a special place. As we begin the 2026-2027 school year, I am excited about the opportunities ahead and grateful to partner with you to support every student's success.
I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to our teachers and staff for their dedication and hard work in preparing for the school year. From participating in professional learning opportunities to creating welcoming classroom environments, their commitment ensures that our students have the support they need to succeed.
Thank you also to the many families, community partners, student leaders, clubs, and organizations who helped make our Grenadiers Marching Back event such a success. The tremendous turnout and enthusiasm demonstrated the strength of our school community and our shared commitment to student success.
As we move forward, I encourage every student to get involved, challenge themselves academically, participate in extracurricular activities, and take advantage of the many opportunities available at Colonial High School. Success is built through engagement, perseverance, and meaningful connections with others.
Together, we will continue to build a culture where every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to achieve their goals. I am honored to serve as your principal and look forward to celebrating the many accomplishments that lie ahead. Thank you for your partnership, support, and trust as we begin this exciting new school year.
It's Great to Be a Grenadier!
Betzabeth Reussow
Principal
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Student Drop-Off – First Day of School
There are two designated student drop-off areas on campus. The first area, in the front of the school, is located on Oleander Dr. Parents and students will enter through the Double Bravo gate indicated with an orange arrow pointing to the right and exit through Bravo Gate, indicated with the orange arrow point to the left. Please do not pull off onto the shoulder or drop students off in the street, as this creates a significant safety concern.
The second student drop-off area, located in the back of the school near the football stadium is through the gate on Areca Dr. and Nandia Dr., highlighted in lime green.
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As we prepare for the 2026-27 school year, please take a moment to review the following transportation information.
Bus Rider Registration
If your child actively rode the bus last school year, you do not need to register again. For new riders, please complete the Student Bus Registration form through the Onflo tile on the Transportation Services homepage. This year, students will also receive bus ID cards with an RFID chip to tap on and off at their assigned stop.
Bus Eligibility
Bus service is available to students who reside more than two miles from school. After the first four weeks, Transportation Services will review available seating and may be able to accommodate ineligible students on a space-available basis.
9th Grade Students
Incoming 9th-grade students will have shuttles available to transport them to the main campus, where they may then need to board their bus home. Students participating in extra-curricular activities may also ride the activity bus to the main campus.
Bus Delays & Double-Back Runs
Due to the ongoing driver shortage, some buses will make two trips in the morning. Routes requiring a double-back run may have afternoon buses arriving 30 to 40 minutes after dismissal. Late bus notifications will be sent through ParentSquare, and you can also check the Bus Delay Dashboard on the OCPS homepage.
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WESH 2 Helps Colonial High School Kick Off the School Year
Colonial High School was honored to welcome WESH 2 News to campus as we celebrated the start of a new school year and the incredible educators who make our school community so special.
A special thank you to Nancy Alvarez and Alan Campbell for spending time with us, interviewing Principal Betzabeth Reussow, and highlighting some of the outstanding teachers who inspire and support our students every day. Their feature captured the passion, dedication, and commitment that our staff brings to Colonial High School.
WESH 2 also treated our well-deserving teachers to a delicious breakfast, providing a wonderful start to the day and a meaningful reminder that the hard work of educators is valued and appreciated. Check out the news story using the following link. https://www.wesh.com/article/bagels-with-teachers/73336610
We are grateful to Ms. Alvarez, Mr. Campbell, and the entire WESH 2 team for recognizing the important work happening at Colonial High School and for helping us celebrate the educators who make a difference in the lives of our students each day.
Thank you, WESH 2, for helping us welcome back our teachers and start the school year with excitement, appreciation, and Grenadier pride!
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You are warmly invited to join our School Advisory Council (SAC)—a collaborative group of dedicated stakeholders who work together to support the success of our school. The SAC brings together parents, community members, teachers, school staff, and students to share ideas, provide input, and help guide key decisions that shape our school’s vision, priorities, and continuous improvement efforts.
This is a wonderful opportunity to:
- Stay informed about school initiatives and student achievement
- Share your voice and perspectives
- Collaborate on meaningful solutions that benefit all students
- Strengthen partnerships between home, school, and community
Your input matters. We value diverse perspectives and encourage all who care about our school to participate.
Join us and be a part of the conversation—together, we can make a difference for our students and school community!
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Attention Grenadiers!
Mark your calendars! Picture Day will be held on Monday, August 17, 2026, on both Colonial High School campuses. This is a great opportunity for students to capture memories, update school records, and start the year with a smile.
Students are encouraged to dress their best and come ready for their photo. Additional information regarding picture packages and ordering options will be shared soon.
We look forward to seeing all of our Grenadiers shine on August 17, 2026!
Colonial High School
Where It's Great to Be a Grenadier! 🖤❤️🤍
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In partnership with Orange Technical College, we are hosting English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes for individuals who need assistance with learning the English language. This is also an opportunity for you to work towards earning your General Education Diploma (GED). Sign up today by scanning the QR code to register. For more information, call the phone numbers provided on the flyer. |
📣 Support Our Student-Athletes – Purchase Your Athletic Pass Today! 🏈⚽🏀🎾
Get ready for an exciting year of Grenadier athletics! By purchasing an Athletic Pass, you'll enjoy admission to home regular-season sporting events while supporting the hard work and dedication of our student-athletes.
An athletic pass is the perfect way to cheer on our teams, show your school spirit, and stay connected to the Colonial High School community all year long. Whether you're a student, parent, staff member, alumni, or community supporter, your purchase helps create memorable experiences for our athletes and fans.
Don't miss a moment of the action—join us in the stands and be part of the tradition, excitement, and pride that make Colonial athletics special.
Purchase your Athletic Pass today and let's make this the best season yet! Go Grenadiers! ❤️
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What Are Community Schools?
Community schools are more than places for academics—they serve as hubs for learning and support. These schools connect students and families to essential services like health care, mental health support, after-school programs, and community resources. The goal is to remove barriers such as poverty, housing challenges, and lack of healthcare so every child can thrive.
How Do They Work?
Community schools operate on four key pillars:
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Student Supports – Counseling, health services, and wellness programs.
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Expanded Learning Opportunities – After-school activities and programs during breaks.
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Family & Community Engagement – Building strong partnerships between families, educators, and local organizations.
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Shared Leadership – Families, educators, and community members collaborate to make decisions.
A Community School Coordinator helps organize these services. Success is measured not just by test scores, but by attendance, engagement, health, and family stability.
A Growing Movement
What began as a grassroots effort has grown nationwide. Today, community schools are embraced by urban, suburban, and rural districts. This movement promotes equity and democracy and makes schools the heart of strong communities.
How Families Can Get Involved
- Join school committees or advisory groups.
- Volunteer for events or after-school activities.
- Share feedback with teachers and the Community School Coordinator.
- Connect with other families to build a support network.
- Advocate for resources that benefit all students.
Community schools thrive when families are active partners. Together, we can create a school that supports every child and strengthens our community.
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Please join your PTSA in helping students and staff reach their full potential throughout this school year!
We are incredibly proud to share that our PTSA has received national recognition for its outstanding commitment to supporting students, families, and the school community. This prestigious honor reflects the dedication of our PTSA members, volunteers, staff, and community partners who work tirelessly to create meaningful opportunities, strengthen family engagement, and enhance the educational experience for all. Their unwavering support helps foster a welcoming and connected school environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive. Congratulations to our exceptional PTSA on this well-deserved achievement!
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Dear Grenadiers,
We are sharing information about our upcoming free dental event for kids hosted by the Dental Care Access Foundation (DCAF) - please see the attached flyer.
This day is dedicated to providing essential dental care to children in our community who need it most.
Beyond the event, ongoing care matters. DCAF works closely with local Federally Qualified Health Centers and community partners to provide follow-up wraparound care, helping children establish a permanent dental home for continued treatment and preventive care. Reach out to our friendly staff to schedule your appointment. Families can call 407-898-1525 to check eligibility and schedule an appointment.
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The Grenadiers Marching Back event was a tremendous success! We were thrilled to welcome our families to both our Ninth Grade Campus and Main Campus, where students and families had the opportunity to meet our outstanding teachers, explore a variety of academic programs, learn about athletics and student clubs, connect with community partners, and gather important information to prepare for a successful school year. The excitement, engagement, and school spirit on display made this a memorable event, and we are grateful to everyone who helped make it such a wonderful start to the 2026-2027 school year.
For any families who were not able to attend, please see our enclosed pamphlet for additional information shared throughout the event.
A special thank you to our teachers, faculty, clubs, organizations, and many community partners who supported Grenadiers Marching Back. Your dedication to ensuring our students and families felt welcome is greatly appreciated! It's Great to Be a Grenadier
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Teachers participated in professional development sessions to prepare for a successful start to the school year. Through these collaborative learning sessions, educators strengthened their knowledge and skills to support student achievement and behavior. These sessions provided valuable opportunities to refine best practices, share ideas with colleagues, and ensure a strong foundation for teaching and learning from day one. Kudos Teachers! |
Colonial High School’s College & Career Center is a valuable resource dedicated to helping students plan for success after graduation. The center provides personalized support with college applications, scholarship searches, financial aid information, career exploration, resume building, and postsecondary planning. By utilizing the College & Career Center, students can gain access to valuable opportunities, receive expert guidance, and make informed decisions about their future, helping them confidently prepare for college, careers, military service, or other pathways beyond high school. |
Betzabeth Reussow, Principal - Betzabeth.Reussow@ocps.net
Tayler Boyer, Assistant Principal - Tayler.Boyer@ops.net
Daniel Caliari, Assistant Principal - Daniel.Caliari@ocps.net
William King, Assistant Principal - William.King2@ocps.net
Chelsea Johnson, Assistant Principal – Chelsea.Johnson@ocps.net
Krystin Roviaro, Assistant Principal - Krystin.Roviaro@ocps.net
Adrian Thomas – Senior Manager, UPI Community School - Adrian.Thomas@ocps.net
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