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Mission Statement
The mission of James S. Rickards High School is to prepare graduates with the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to succeed at the local, state, national, and international levels. Our students will emerge as responsible, self-supporting, and productive members of society, ready to contribute meaningfully to their communities and beyond.
Vision Statement
At James S. Rickards High School, our vision is to provide students with a caring and supportive learning environment that empowers them to reach their fullest potential through high-quality programs, instruction, and experiences.
We invite you to partner with us in achieving our mission and bringing it to life. Please consider volunteering your time or joining our School Advisory Council. Together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of our students and strengthen our surrounding community.
Grades: 9th - 12th
Enrollment: 1668
Principal: Mr. Douglas Cook
Assistant Principals: Dr. D. Barnes, Dr. R. Flanagan, Mr. C. Cowart, & Mr. S. Striplin
School Hours: 7:25 AM – 1:55 PM
Principal’s Message
Principal Douglas Cook brings over 20 years of educational leadership and a passion for building futures filled with opportunity and success for all students. Mr. Cook believes that students thrive in safe, supportive environments where families and the community play a vital role.
Dear Students, Parents, Guardians, Staff, and Community Members,
Thank you for participating in our events celebrating 100 years of Black History! We’ve had a wonderful time honoring this important history.
We began with a movie night showing The Six Triple Eight, the story of the World War II Women’s Army Corps unit of color, the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, who cleared a three-year backlog of 17 million pieces of mail to bring hope to soldiers overseas. Following that, our R&B Bingo Night brought students, staff, and parents together for fun, snacks, music, and prizes. We’ve also held daily Black History trivia with chances for students to learn and win prizes—a grand prize will be awarded next week.
Our events continue next week with Black History Contests (essay, art, and poetry), Spirit Week, a line dancing class on Tuesday, and the Black History Program on Friday evening. Please see the flyers and information below, and please continue encouraging your student(s) to participate. Black History is American History—thank you for your support in making these events meaningful.
Warm regards,
Mr. Douglas Cook
Phone: 850-414-5500 | Email
Administrative Updates
Dr. Barnes, Assistant Principal of Curriculum
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Senior Class Rank is now available. Seniors can learn their rank number by emailing their assigned guidance counselor.
The Honor Roll Celebration will be held on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, from 10:00 to 12:00 noon, in the gym. Parents and community volunteers are welcome. Please contact Mrs. E. M. Cooper (coopere@leonschools.net) if you can assist us with serving our honor roll students.
Progress reports will be uploaded to FOCUS on February 11, 2026, after 4:00 p.m.
Mr. Cowart, Assistant Principal of Attendance & Facilities
Updated Tardy Policy
To support instructional time and student success, the school has implemented an updated Tardy Policy:
- Students must be in class before the bell each period.
- Any arrival after the bell is considered tardy.
- Six (6) tardies in nine weeks will result in a disciplinary referral.
- Additional tardies may/will lead to escalating consequences.
- Parent contact will be handled by the school.
- Parents are encouraged to reinforce punctuality and ensure students arrive at class on time each day.
Thank you for your support.
Frequently Asked Questions
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We offer a range of programs, including special education, English language development, gifted education, and counseling services to support diverse student needs.
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Safety is our top priority. We have secure campus entry points, regular emergency drills, and on-site staff trained in emergency response. Our visitor management system ensures that all guests are signed in and monitored.
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Our elementary school day typically begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m., with after-school programs available for families needing extended care.
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Registration is straightforward and can be done online or in person at the school office. Required documents include proof of residence, birth certificate, and immunization records.
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We welcome family involvement! Parents can volunteer in classrooms, join the PTA, participate in family nights, or attend school events. Your involvement strengthens our school community and supports your child's learning experience.
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Technology is integrated to enhance learning, with resources such as interactive whiteboards, tablets, and educational software that support students' digital literacy and engagement.
