FHC ACADEMIC UPDATE
First Quarter, 2019-2020 School Year
Hello, Spartan Nation!
I hope you are settling into November and adjusting to the cold weather. As we continue into second quarter, it is important to reflect on what has transpired thus far in the school year and to let you know some of our academic plans for the near future. Therefore, I wanted to take the opportunity to share an academic update on our effort this Fall. This update shares academic celebrations and other academic endeavors that our students and staff members have taken part in to promote future academic growth. I am proud of the academic work in which our community is engaging, and I am proud to share it with you.
Sincerely,
Andy Downs, Ed.D.
Associate Principal
ACADEMIC CELEBRATIONS
ACT
In October, our ACT scores for 2018-2019 were released. With more than 400 students taking the ACT, FHC earned a composite score of a 22.2. This is a .6 higher than the year before and is our highest score since we have begun testing over 90% of our students.
We also were able to celebrate our students who scored a 30 or higher on the ACT, as ACT Elite and our students who scored a 25-29, as ACT Stars. There were 39 students designated as ACT Elite and 75 designated as ACT Stars.
Advanced Placement (AP)
In July, our AP scores were released. We had 816 tests taken, which is the most in school history, and despite this increase, the percentage of students who scored a three or above increased as well.
In addition, we had 130 students who achieved AP Scholar Status, which is a national designation, assigned to students who score a 3 or better on multiple exams. This is the most in school history and is also the most in our district.
EOC
Our building saw an increase in the number of our students who are scoring proficient or advance on the English EOC.
RECENT TESTING
ASVAB
On September 11th, almost all of our sophomores took the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). The ASVAB is a career exploration tool. As a result of this assessment, sophomores will get valuable information regarding their abilities and interests, and ultimately, this information will be very helpful to them as they explore potential careers and schedule classes the next two years. This information will be shared with students in their English classes.
ACT
RETIRED ACT
On October 9th, almost all of our sophomores took a retired version of the ACT. This test was scored by Cambridge Education. Scores will be returned to FHC and subsequently communicated to students and parents. Furthermore, Cambridge will provide FHC with formative data concerning strengths and growth opportunities that can be capitalized on before these same sophomores take the real ACT in the Spring of 2021. This data will also be used by our school as we offer preperatory options to our students.
ACT TEST PREP
Juniors
All juniors have been enrolled in a FREE ACT Prep course on Study Island. Students simply go to www.studyisland.com. Here are the steps to use to access Study Island:
- Use the following information: Username: First.Last@fhsd and Password: Student ID# (6 Digits).
- From there, simply click on “My Classes” and select the ACT Prep course from the drop- down menu to begin practicing for the ACT!
- Furthermore, Dr. Mark Arnold from SLU will run ACT Prep sessions for all juniors in the and is available for paid private tutoring, which can be accessed through our Guidance Office.
- Additionally, junior-heavy core courses have embedded ACT-level items into their curriculum and assessments. To inquire about FHC ACT initiatives, please contact your student’s Guidance Counselor.
Seniors
Seniors who have already taken the ACT should register to take it again, and again, and again! Taking the ACT multiple times can greatly impact a student's score! Seniors also have access to the Study Island ACT Prep course listed above under “Juniors.” To see a calendar of testing dates and to register your student to take the ACT, please visit www.ACT.org or contact the FHC Guidance Office.
Sophomores
FRANCIS HOWELL CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
Email: andrew.downs@fhsdschools.org
Website: https://fhc.fhsdschools.org/
Location: 5199 Highway North, Cottleville, MO, USA
Phone: 636-851-4703
Twitter: @FHCASSOCIATE