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.
Grading and Report Cards 2017–2018
Academic Subjects |
Conduct |
90–100 = Excellent |
E = Excellent |
80–89 = Good; above average |
S = Satisfactory |
75–79 = Satisfactory; average |
P = Poor; below average |
70–74 = Passing; below average |
U = Unsatisfactory |
Below 70 = Unsatisfactory; failing |
|
Grade Classification
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) |
Grades and Extracurricular Activities
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.
2017-2018 Nine-Week Grading Periods (used in elementary schools and certain secondary schools) |
First Grading Period: |
August 28 to October 27 |
Second Grading Period: |
October 30 to December 21 |
Third Grading Period: |
January 8 to March 9 |
Fourth Grading Period: |
March 19 to June 1 |
Report Cards
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: November 3, January 12, March 23, and June 1.
2017-2018 Six -Week Grading Periods (used in most secondary schools) |
First Grading Period: |
August 28 to October 6 |
Second Grading Period: |
October 9 to November 10 |
Third Grading Period: |
November 13 to December 21 |
Fourth Grading Period: |
January 8 to February 16 |
Fifth Grading Period: |
February 19 to April 6 |
Sixth Grading Period |
April 9 to June 1 |
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 13, November 17, January 12, February 23, April 13, and June 1. Certain middle schools and high schools, however, observe nine-week grading periods; see the schedule for elementary schools above.
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.