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FRIENDSWOOD
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
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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