MEET MS. ALICIA
The school's founder, Principal and owner is Alicia A. Casanova.  Ms. Alicia's childhood dream and vision was to make a difference in the lives of children. At the age of only 19, with few funds but lots of enthusiasm, determination, goals, and ambition, she pursued her dream by starting her own Pre-School Center which subsequently expanded to a PK-8 fully accredited, private, for-profit, bilingual, non-sectarian school.  

​With her strong belief that children learn best when they have "hands-on" experiences, when their creativity and strengths are encouraged, when character education is prioritized, and when Teachers recognize and address each of their student's individual needs, the school became very successful.

​Through the years, ​Ms. Alicia's vision transformed Highpoint into a prestigious school educating thousands of children, many of whom bring their own children back to Highpoint for their education. In 2010, after meeting Dr. Gigi, a Highpoint Mom who was a public school therapist and special education administrator, they set out to create a program for children that needed a more specialized educational environment. Highpoint's Coral Way Campus, located within two miles of Highpoint's Main Campus, continues to make a huge difference in the lives of children that have difficulty succeeding in a typical school setting. 

For over 48 years, Highpoint has maintained small student-teacher ratios, caring, dedicated and degreed teachers, an advanced academic curriculum, and a warm and nurturing family environment focusing on academic excellence and character education.  "Highpoint's success is attributed to the amazing "New Vision Team" of Administrators and the caring and dedicated Teachers and Staff members who work with their hearts. These dedicated, creative, loyal, and hard working team members form an integral part of our unique Highpoint Family."  
​-Ms. Alicia

BACKGROUND: 
​Ms. Alicia attended St. Patrick School in Miami Beach from Kindergarten thru her Senior Year. She then attended Miami-Dade Community College and later obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and a Master's Degree in Education Administration from La Salle University in Louisiana.

Ms. Alicia has earned many honors in the field of education and is called upon continuously to consult others regarding the status of private schools in Miami-Dade County. She is Team Chair of two private school accrediting organizations: Council of Bilingual Schools (COBIS) and the National Independent Schools Association (NIPSA).  She is responsible for site visits and the accreditation process wherein member schools are assessed and given accreditation recognition. She has been a guest on various national and local television shows speaking on education-related issues. For many years, she has helped organize, chair and been the Master of Ceremony of numerous awards events, educational conferences and presentations, including the annual BIRPISA Talent and Awards Event, numerous events for ISSF, including the "Star Awards" Luncheon, Geography Bees, Spelling Bees, and numerous social events for the Condo Community where she lives and has presided since 2001, overseeing a budget of 7 plus million dollars a year.  As Board Members of the MidBeach Neighborhood Association (MBNA), she also works closely with City of Miami Beach Officials advocating for the interests of the MidBeach community; (www.MidBeach.net). 

​Ms. Alicia resides in Miami Beach. ​She is the proud Mom of three adult children; Chacho, Annia and Eric, and GrandMom of Lucas, Alana and Victor. ​

MEMBERSHIPS/BOARDS:
~ President of the Council of Bilingual Schools  (COBIS) - 1981 to 2023 and Vice-President from 2023 to the present;
~ Vice-President of the Independent Schools of South Floria - (President from 2011 to 2017 and VP from 2017 to Present);
~ Founder of Mount Sinai Hospital's Foundation – 2012 to present;
~ President of the Board of the Green Diamond Condominium Association , Inc. - 2001 to present;
~ President of the Board of the Blue Diamond and Green Diamond Master Association, Inc.- 2001 to present;
~ Vice-President and Ex-Officio Member of the Mid-Beach Neighborhood Association (MBNA) - 2017 to present;
~ Vice-President of the Mid-Beach Neighborhood Alliance (MBNA) - 2011 to 2016;​
~ Vice-President of the Florida Association of Academic Non-Public Schools (FAANS) - 1989 to 1991 and 2007 to 2009;
~ Vice-President of the Society for Abused Children of the Children's Home (SAC) - 1988 to 1992;
~ Secretary and Vice-President of the Bilingual Private Schools Association (BIPRISA) - 1988 to 2008;
~ Board Member of the Children's Foundation of Greater Miami (CFGM) - 1991 to 1996;