WESLEY CHAPEL — The last few years, Cypress Creek High School has been excruciatingly close to earning its first A grade from the state.

This year, it finally broke through.

When the Florida Department of Education released its annual school grades last week, the Coyotes had their first A grade after five straight B’s since opening in 2017.

“We were just completely ecstatic,” said principal Carin Hetzler-Nettles. “We had an inkling from the calculations that we had done, but you never know until it’s official. So we were beside ourselves excited because we worked incredibly hard to earn that A grade.”

And not only that, but one could also argue the grade was more like an A-plus. Cypress Creek was the second-highest scoring regular high school in Pasco County, behind only Sunlake.

For Hetzler-Nettles, who opened Cypress Creek in 2017, the A is a significant milestone. But not her first.

She was principal at Wesley Chapel High from 2009-2016, where she inherited a D school. Her first year at the school, it improved to a B, and the next year in 2011, the school received an A grade. It was Wesley Chapel’s first-ever, and only, A grade.

“When we turned that around to a B, that was an incredible accomplishment,” Hetzler-Nettles said. “It didn’t even matter that we didn’t get to an A. But then the next year to get that A, that was fantastic.”

She said it feels the same at Cypress Creek, where a string of B’s were a positive, but the A was the ultimate goal.

She credits the grade bump to a schoolwide literacy initiative with an emphasis on annotating text, as well as a lot of spiral reviews (revisiting already learned material) in English Language Arts and math.

A math coach and significant improvements in English among the lower grades also helped played pivotal roles, the principal said.

The A did come at a cost for Hetzler-Nettles — lunch for her administrative staff this week, a tab she was more than happy to pick up.

“When the school gets back, we certainly will have some kind of fun celebration for our staff to thank them for all they do,” she said.

Cypress Creek’s first A highlighted another strong year for Wesley Chapel high schools. Wiregrass Ranch received its sixth straight A, a nice gift for retiring principal Robyn White, and Wesley Chapel had its seventh straight B.

Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation kept alive its streak of receiving an A every year since opening in 2023. And on the same campus, the Kirkland K-8 school received its first grade ever, also an A.

John Long led the middle schools with another A, keeping it perfect since opening in 2007, while Cypress Creek and Weightman middle schools each picked their fourth straight B’s.

Two elementary schools in Wesley Chapel picked up A’s — Sand Pine Elementary, which dropped to a B last year after 11 straight years of A’s, returned to the A level, while Seven Oaks had its seventh straight A.

But there were some other highlights. Double Branch, Veterans and Quail Hollow elementary schools all improved from C’s to B’s this year, joining Wiregrass Elementary.

It was Double Branch’s first B or higher since 2019.

Other elementary schools saw a dip — New River received its first D ever following five straight years of C’s, and Watergrass dropped from a B to a C.

Among charter schools, Pinecrest Academy, located in Avalon Park, and Union Park, were both A’s, while Innovation Prep graded out at a B.

Embedded above are the junior highlights for 2026 four-star Michigan wide receiver commitment Travis Johnson.

The Wolverines landed Johnson as a huge part of their June/early July recruiting run as the Virginia native over North Carolina, Penn State and South Carolina among others. The four-star was a longtime top target for receivers coach Ron Bellamy.

Johnson is currently ranked 144th overall in the 2026 247Sports Composite rankings.

247Sports Scouting Report: Well-rounded wide receiver with the size, speed and focus to emerge as a trusted option at the Power Four level. Height and bounce suggest that he’s destined to play on the outside, but is sudden and quick enough to win from an interior alignment with his slick route running. Attacks cushion with good surge off the line and can reach a top gear before changing course with full-tilt cuts. Might not be a true power forward at the catch point, but can play above shoulder pads with his timing and body control. Will shed a tackle or two with the ball in his hands and has surprising agility in tight quarters for someone of his stature. Missed time as a junior due to injury, but still finished the season with over 1,000 receiving yards before turning heads at the OT7 Finals summer before senior year. Rather narrow in the shoulders for a pass catcher that’s verified at over 6-foot-3, but projects as a potential impact player on Saturdays that will work for his quarterbacks. Mature game could have him in the lineup sooner rather than later.

For a full list of Michigan’s 2026 offer list, click HERE

For a full list of Michigan’s 2026 target list, click HERE

For a full list of Michigan’s 2027 scholarship offers, click HERE

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Embedded above are the junior highlights for 2026 four-star Michigan commitment Dorian Barney. 

The Wolverines landed Barney over Penn State, Ole Miss and Texas A&M among others. Defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan ran point on the recruitment and recruited Barney heavily after the Georgia native decommitted from Alabama early in the process.

The four-star is currently ranked 148th overall in the 2026 247Sports Composite rankings.

For a full list of Michigan’s 2026 offer list, click HERE

For a full list of Michigan’s 2026 target list, click HERE

For a full list of Michigan’s 2027 scholarship offers, click HERE

Alhambra pitcher Cameron Millar highlights a diverse group of Bay Area baseball players selected in the 2025 MLB draft, including high school, junior college and Division I picks.

Originally Published: July 14, 2025 at 4:59 PM PDT