Academic Resources

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  2025–2026

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.

Report Cards 

Six-week grading periods are used in all HISD Schools. All schools will send report cards to parents six times during the year, shortly after the end of each six-week grading period.

Six Weeks Cycles	Cycle Dates	# of Days in Cycle	2025-2026 Report Card Dates
Cycle I	Aug. 12 - Sep. 19	27 days	Sep. 26 (Friday)
Cycle II	Sep. 22 - Oct. 31	28 days	Nov. 10 (Monday)
Cycle III	Nov. 3 - Dec. 19	29 days	Jan. 9 (Friday)
Cycle IV	Jan. 6 - Feb. 20	31 days	Feb. 27 (Friday)
Cycle V	Feb. 23 - Apr. 17	33 days	Apr. 24 (Friday)
Cycle VI	Apr. 20 - Jun. 4	33 days	Jun. 12 (Friday)

 

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.

 

• State legislation has decreed that incoming ninth-graders work with their families and counselors to create a Personal Graduation Plan and customize it with an endorsement – a pathway that reflects their career interests and goals for additional education or training beyond high school. The personalized learning system offers five pathways: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); Business and Industry; Arts and Humanities; Public Services; and Multidisciplinary. 

• Free online high school courses are available to HISD students through HISD Graduation Labs. Students can work on their courses during, before or after school, as well as from home or anywhere with an Internet connection. Tests and finals must be completed in the lab, which is staffed by a Graduation Coach tasked with enrolling students and then monitoring their progress as they complete coursework. The Grad Lab is ideal for self-motivated students who:
  • might not meet graduation requirements by May
  • are not classified as seniors but who should be graduating in May
  • have failed three or more courses in the previous semester, especially ninth-graders
  • have been retained while in high school
  • are past normal school age
  For more information on this program, speak to the Campus Graduation Coach or School Guidance Counselor. For more information, please see Virtual Learning Options.

• More and more HISD schools are participating in the Hour of Code, a global movement to bolster computer-science instruction. The program is a week-long effort during Computer Science Education Week to incorporate the basics of coding, engineering, computer programming, and gaming into daily curriculum. For more information, please see Hour of Code.

•   HISD offers a variety of digital resources to all students, teachers, parents, and administrators in HISD. Campus access is available through any district computer. Access to these resources outside of HISD campuses requires a username and password. Contact your campus librarian or Janice Newsum for information and handouts regarding logins, passwords, and training.

  Digital Resources site

• The goal of HISD is to ensure that every student has access to a rigorous instructional program required for college and career readiness. HISD has a standards-based curriculum that is aligned to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and to STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness). For more information, please see Curriculum and Instruction. A common standards-based curriculum guarantees that every HISD teacher has access to resources necessary to plan, teach, and assess instruction and student learning effectively. Parents can support our school by making themselves familiar with the expectations of their child’s teacher. Below are some resources that can help enrich your child’s education.

• HISD offers a free summer school program for all students in grades Pre-K through 12 who need to meet promotion standards and/or pass the STAAR or TAKS test. Summer programs are coordinated at the district level, planned at the campus level, and customized to meet the individual needs of students. The extended time offered by summer programs provides students with additional opportunities to achieve the schools year’s final expected outcomes. It is the goal of HISD that through effective summer programs, all students who need this extended time will meet the required promotion standards, be prepared for success at the next grade level, and be on-track to graduate with their peers. More information about Summer School can be found on the district’s curriculum website. Specific information about our school will be updated as it is developed.