In order for HISD students to be promoted to the next grade level, they must show that they have learned what the State of Texas requires of all public school children. HISD “Promotion Standards” generally include classroom grades and a local or state test. Details about the standards are available online through your child’s school.

 

 

 

 

In high school, a student’s total credits determine the student’s classification—i.e.., what grade level or “year” the student is in. Board of Education policy concerning classification is described in HISD Board Policy EIE(LOCAL).

 

Credits Earned	Classification (year)
0–5.5	grade 9 (freshman)
6–11.5	grade 10 (sophomore)
12–17.5	grade 11 (junior)
18 or more	grade 12 (senior)

 

 

Under the state’s “no pass/no play” law, eligibility for participation in extracurricular activities during the first six weeks of the school year is determined by a student’s grades from the final grading cycle of the previous school year or the number of credits earned during the previous school year. After the first six weeks, a student who receives a grade lower than 70 (or the equivalent) in any academic course is ineligible to participate in extracurricular activities during the first three school weeks of the next grading period. During that time, the student may continue to practice or rehearse with other students but may not take part in any competition or public performance.

 

 

2019-2020 Six-Week Grading Periods (used in most secondary schools)
First Grading Period:	August 26 to October 4
Second Grading Period:	October 7 to November 8
Third Grading Period:	November 11 to December 19
Fourth Grading Period:	January 6 to February 14
Fifth Grading Period:	February 17 to April 3
Sixth Grading Period	April 6 to May 29

 

 

Report Cards 

Most middle schools and high schools (and certain elementary schools) send report cards to parents six times during the year, shortly after the end of each six-week grading period: 

• October 11
• November 15
• January 10
• February 21
• April 9
• May 29 (ES/MS)
• June 5 (HS)

 

Certain middle schools and high schools, however, observe nine-week grading periods; see the schedule for elementary schools below.

2019-2020 Nine-Week Grading Periods (used in elementary schools and certain secondary schools)
First Grading Period:	August 26 to October 18
Second Grading Period:	October 21 to December 19
Third Grading Period:	January 6 to March 13
Fourth Grading Period:	March 23 to May 29

 

 

Elementary schools (and certain secondary schools) send report cards to parents four times during the year, shortly after the end of each nine-week grading period:

• October 25
• January 10
• March 27
• May 29 (ES/MS)
• June 5 (HS)

 

If a student is not progressing satisfactorily, parents receive a preliminary report at the midpoint of the grading period and at other times as necessary. Parents must sign and return the reports.