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FRIENDSWOOD
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
Administration
Offices
302 Laurel
Friendswood, Texas 77546
(281) 482-1267
The
Friendswood Independent School District was established on December
21, 1948. Friendswood is primarily a residential area located in
the northwestern comer of Galveston County, approximately 25 miles
from downtown Houston. The school district covers 15 square miles
and serves a population of approximately 26,000.
Fully
accredited by the Texas Education Agency, the district's curriculum
is geared toward providing students with proven, effective methods
of instruction, emphasizing basic academic skills that are essential
to each child's successful performance. All programs utilize the
team teaching approach and are individualized in concept.
Highly
qualified teachers and administrators work constantly to update
curriculum and to perfect instructional programs through in-service
training and intense self-evaluation. Extensive instructional equipment,
supplies, textbooks, resource materials, and audiovisual aids are
readily available. In addition, the constantly expanding computer
education program is available for students K-12. Grades K-8 have
an extensive reading program designed to meet individual reading
needs on a personalized basis.
Complete
courses in art, drama, music and speech are offered to secondary
students on an elective basis. Performance groups are offered in
band, choir, drama and speech. Four-year foreign language programs
are offered in the high school on an elective basis in French, German
and Spanish with advanced independent study available. Spanish is
offered at the Junior High School beginning in the 7th grade.
F.I.S.D.
was recently notified by the Texas Education Agency that the results
from Friendswood High school's 1997 10th grade exit-level Texas
Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) are among the highest in the
state. Exit-level tests are administered in February of every year
for sophomores. Students must pass the exit-level in order to graduate
from high school. 1997's scores were: Reading 96% (up from 94% in
'96), Math 92% (up from 78% in '96), and Writing 98%. The F.I.S.D.
has been rated as an 'Exemplary' district based on student performance.
Exemplary is the highest of four ratings the state assigns as a
part of the annual accountability and accreditation rating system.
Only 37 districts out of the state's 1,044 districts attained this
rating in '96-'97. To be exemplary, at least 90% of all students
tested on the TAAS must pass. The district's attendance rate (95.9%)
and dropout rate (.6%) also met the criteria for the rating. Three
other district campuses, Cline Primary, Westwood Elementary, and
Bales Intermediate are also rated 'Exemplary'.
The
philosophy of the district is based on education as a continuous
process of mental, emotional, spiritual and intellectual growth
of the individual. The Board of Education and Administration
welcomes involvement from the entire community.
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