Academic calendar
First Semester 2026 runs Aug 10, 2026 – Dec 18, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.
- First Semester 2026Relevant now
- Second Semester 2027
Campus language
Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.
Showing 20 of 20 terms
A
- A/B/C Lunch
- The three staggered lunch shifts determined by a student's 4th or 5th period teacher.
B
- Big Red
- The primary nickname for the school's spirit, teams, and identity.
H
- HATS
- Hillsborough Association of Theatre Students, the school's drama and performing arts troupe.
- HHS
- Common shorthand for Hillsborough High School.
- Hillsborough High
- The common shortened name used by students and locals to refer to the school.
- Hillsborough-Plant
- Refers to the historic and intense rivalry with Plant High School.
- Hilsborean
- The name of the school's historic yearbook, which has been in continuous publication for over a century.
I
- IB
- International Baccalaureate, the rigorous academic program the school is famous for.
J
- JROTC
- Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps, a prominent leadership and drill program on campus.
L
- Lunch A/B/C
- The three staggered lunch periods assigned to students based on their mid-day class schedule.
N
- NHS
- National Honor Society, the academic service organization.
R
- Red & Gold
- The name of the student-run newspaper, reflecting the school's official colors.
- Red and Gold
- The official school colors, often used to refer to school spirit or the student newspaper.
- Red Rage
- The official student spirit section known for leading cheers and high energy at athletic events.
S
- SGA
- Student Government Association, responsible for school events and dances.
T
- Terrier
- The official mascot and the term used to refer to any student attending the school.
- Terriers
- The official mascot and collective name for the student body.
- The Caf
- The main indoor cafeteria where school meals are served.
- The Patio
- The central outdoor courtyard area where many students eat lunch and socialize.
- The Red & Black
- The name of the long-running student newspaper and the school colors.
Places and practicalities
Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.
- Big Red
- The historic, gothic-style main building of the school, often used as a metonym for the school itself.
- Canvas
- The online learning management system used for all assignments and grades.
- Early Release
- Mondays when school ends one hour earlier than the standard schedule.
- Early Release Mondays
- The district-wide schedule where students are dismissed one hour early every Monday for teacher planning.
- Exemptions
- The policy allowing students with high grades and minimal absences to skip final exams.
- hillsborough_high_school_cafeteria
- Hillsborough High School Cafeteria
- Homeroom
- A designated period for administrative tasks, announcements, and school-wide distributions.
- Red/Black Days
- The block scheduling system where classes alternate every other day.
- Student ID
- Required physical card for checking into school, buying lunch, and attending games.
- Student Portal
- The district-wide system (Hillsborough Schools) used by students to track official grades and attendance.
- StudentVue
- The online portal where students and parents check official grades, attendance, and class schedules.
- The 400 Building
- The newer wing of the campus primarily housing science labs and mathematics classrooms.
- The 500 Building
- The newer classroom wing on campus, distinct from the historic main building.
- The Bell
- The historic victory bell located on campus that is traditionally rung after football wins.
- The Bell Schedule
- The specific timing of class periods, which changes for pep rallies or exams.
- The Big Red
- The historic, red-brick main building that serves as the school's centerpiece.
- The Big Red Castle
- An affectionate full name for the main historic school building.
- The Big Red Gym
- The primary indoor athletic facility used for basketball, volleyball, and pep rallies.
- The Castle
- The iconic, historic red-brick main building known for its Gothic architecture.
- The Gym
- The 'Big Red Gym' where basketball games and pep rallies are held.
- The Main Building
- The historic three-story red brick Gothic structure that serves as the face of the school.
- The Patio
- The large open-air courtyard in the center of the campus buildings.
- The Tower
- The iconic clock tower atop the main building, often used as a symbol for the school.
Quick answers
Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.
- What academic term is relevant now?
- First Semester 2026 runs Aug 10, 2026 – Dec 18, 2026.
- How much campus context is included?
- 20 approved campus terms and 23 local details are included in full.
- Are all approved campus terms included?
- Yes. The complete approved glossary is available in the scrollable, searchable campus-language section.
- Where does this guide come from?
- Calendar dates, campus terms, and local details come from DormWay's approved campus reference library.