Francis HowellHigh School

District high school activities and athletics will continue the process of returning to participation when Phase 2 begins on July 1. Student and staff safety is always a top priority of the Francis Howell School District and our schools. These guidelines were developed through the collaborative efforts of the District, medical professionals, and the St. Charles County Health Department.  Read more about FHSD High School Return to Activities/Athletics Guidelines

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is responsible for conducting annual safety inspections of all school buses across the state. Representatives of the MSHP Motor Vehicle Inspection Section were in Francis Howell on June 17 and 18 to inspect the 191 buses in the FHSD transportation fleet. After a thorough inspection of all systems from bumper to bumper, 189 buses met all required standards for an initial passage rate of 99%. Two buses had minor issues that were repaired quickly, and every FHSD bus passed the final inspection.  Read more about FHSD 2020 Bus Inspections

The Francis Howell School District has announced Michael Parker as the interim assistant principal at Francis Howell High School (FHHS), effective July 1, 2020. Parker is replacing Dr. Jessie Altman, who was recently named Director of Adult Learning.  Read more about Michael Parker Selected as the Interim Assistant Principal at FHHS

The FHSD Board of Education recently approved the selection of Holly Avis as the dean of students at Francis Howell High School, effective July 1, 2020. Avis is replacing Rachel Quintana, who has accepted a position in another school district.  Read more about Holly Avis Selected as Dean of Students at FHHS

The Francis Howell High School Limelight Theatre Drama Club and the Drama Parent Club have announced that Kennedy Lindauer and Blake Jenkins are both recipients of the 2019-20 Trevor Joerling Memorial Scholarship.  Read more about Two FHHS Seniors Awarded Trevor Joerling Memorial Scholarships

I am excited to share that on June 2, our District voters approved Proposition S with 79.28 percent voting YES. I want to thank all of our staff members who helped share information about the importance of Prop S with our community and the volunteer members of our campaign committee for their dedication and enthusiasm during the entire process. I want to especially thank all of our voters who understood the current state of our facilities and the positive long-term impact Prop S funding would have on our students, our staff, and our schools. We are extremely grateful for this demonstration of community support, and we are anxious to move forward with the projects outlined in our Comprehensive Facilities Master Plan. With this green light from our stakeholders, design and construction work will begin this summer.  Read more about Proposition S Passes

Six FHSD seniors have been recognized in the 2020 Missouri Scholars 100. This program, coordinated by the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals (MOASSP), honors 100 of Missouri’s highest achieving high school students.  Read more about FHSD Students Honored as MO 100 Scholars

Proposition S is the FHSD no tax rate increase bond issue on the June 2 ballot. Passage of Prop S would fund more than 100 construction and renovation projects at all schools across the District. These projects would create jobs and put millions of dollars into the local economy. Which Prop S project(s) are you looking forward to the most?  Read more about Which Proposition S project(s) are you looking forward to the most?

Eleven FHSD high school teachers have been selected as AP Readers for this summer and will evaluate the written portion of the AP exam. The teachers applied for the paid opportunity and had to meet rigorous criteria, including at least three years of teaching experience in the specific course they will be reading.  Read more about FHSD High School Teachers Selected as AP Readers

Many High school students from across the District signed their National Letters of Intent on May 13, as they committed to continue their academic and athletic careers in college. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students and their families were unable to celebrate in the usual manner. However, the schools honored the students virtually and made sure they were recognized for their great achievements. ”These students all have tremendous work ethic, and we are proud to honor and celebrate them on this significant milestone,” shared FHC Activities Director Scott Harris.  Read more about FHSD Virtual Signing Day 2020

Journalism has changed significantly over the years. As our world adapts to new forms of media, high school students in FHSD are rising to the challenge. Journalism students across the District have been awarded, named, and recognized for their great achievements this year by various journalism organizations, including the Missouri Journalism Education Association (MJEA), National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA), Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA), and Missouri Interscholastic Press Association (MIPA). Congratulations to these talented journalists!  Read more about FHSD High School Journalists Recognized for Work

The Francis Howell School District is proud to announce that Francis Howell High School has been named a Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished School for 2019-20. FHHS is one of only two high schools in Missouri and one of only 34 in the nation to have earned the recognition for three consecutive years.  Read more about FHHS Recognized as “PLTW Distinguished School” for 2019-20

In March, Governor Parson signed an Executive Order requiring all Missouri municipal elections scheduled for April 7 to be postponed until June 2, 2020. This order includes Proposition S, the Francis Howell no tax rate increase bond issue, and the FHSD Board of Education candidate election. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the St. Charles County Election Authority is anticipating increased participation in absentee voting ahead of the June 2 election.  Read more about Voting in FHSD June 2 – COVID Considerations

To many, the number 36 doesn’t carry any special significance. But for two high school students in FHSD, this number represents perfection. Junior Natalie Althof of Francis Howell High School and senior Eric Peasel of Francis Howell Central High School, have both achieved a perfect score of 36 on the ACT.  Read more about Two FHSD Students Achieve Perfect ACT Scores

Best High Schools U.S. News Rankings 2020  Read more about U.S. News Ranks FHSD High Schools among the Best in Missouri

As a result of Governor Parson’s directive, Francis Howell and all Missouri school districts are closed for the remainder of the school year. During the closure, FHSD is providing Alternative Methods of Instruction, and distributing Chromebooks and meals to students in need. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey and provide your feedback on the District’s efforts.   Read more about FHSD Closure Survey

Are you planning to attend college after high school? Are you ready to start earning college credits now? Students from all three FHSD high schools have the ability to earn up to a full associates degree from Saint Charles Community College before high school graduation. Through the FHSD Early College Program, high school students pay a discounted rate of $50 per credit hour and take SCC classes that count for both high school and college credit.  Read more about Early College Program

As a result of Governor Parson’s directive, Francis Howell and all Missouri school districts will be closed for the remainder of the school year. Our health officials and superintendents agree this is necessary to protect the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and community, and to minimize the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). This closure includes all FHSD schools, preschool, and Vacation Station. All athletic events and activities are canceled for the remainder of the school year, and facilities, fields, and playgrounds will not be available until further notice. We are not anticipating holding our traditional summer school and summer camps. Further communication will be provided about summer programming adjustments.  Read more about FHSD Closure Extended Through the Remainder of the Year

Industrial technology teachers from across the District are using 3D printers to help fight the spread of COVID-19. Around the country, shortages of face masks, disposable gloves, and other medical supplies have been reported. To help provide for the healthcare workers on the frontline of the pandemic, Ricky Reeves (FHHS), Michael Green (FHN), and Don Barnes (FHC), are using the technology in their classrooms to make a difference.  Read more about FHSD Industrial Technology Teachers Using 3D Printers to Make a Difference

The FHSD Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI) web page is located on the District website. From this page, parents and students are able to access instructional resources to use during the current school closure. After delivering 3/4 of the school year in a traditional setting, content experts and teachers have been hard at work preparing instructional materials that are relevant and meaningful for students to continue their learning.   Read more about FHSD Alternative Methods of Instruction

High school students from across the District recently attended the annual Construction Industry Trades Expo hosted by The Larry Elms Carpenters Training Center and sponsored by the Carpenters' Joint Apprenticeship Program. The goal of the expo is to provide high school juniors and seniors with an opportunity to learn more about the various trade industries and how they can pursue a career in construction.  Read more about FHSD High School Students Attend Construction Industry Trades Expo

We have been working in collaboration with the St. Charles County Health Department and St. Charles County Government regarding the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19). After a meeting this evening, we have decided to close all FHSD schools, preschool, and Vacation Station through April 3, 2020, with classes set to resume April 6. The closure is effective starting March 16. All extracurricular activities and outside organization events are also canceled until further notice.   Read more about All FHSD Schools Closed Through April 3

The Missouri School Boards’ Association (MSBA) celebrates the successes of our public schools and recognizes the achievements of both students and school leaders. The school board of each MSBA member district is eligible to nominate one outstanding high school senior to apply for the John T. Belcher Scholarship. The local board of education selects an applicant based on academic achievement and leadership abilities.  Read more about FHSD Belcher Scholarship Nominees

The Francis Howell School District is proud to announce that Chrissy Pagnotti, an administrative assistant at Saeger Middle School, has been selected as the 2020 FHSD Support Staff Employee of the Year. Pagnotti has distinguished herself as a caring individual who has an excellent rapport with students, parents, and coworkers. She is a dedicated employee who welcomes a challenge and hard work.  Read more about Saeger Administrative Assistant Chrissy Pagnotti Selected as District Support Staff Employee of the Year

Francis Howell School District, in partnership with school districts from Lincoln, Warren, and St. Charles Counties, will host the Tri-County Trades Expo on April 9, 2020, from 5:30 until 7:30 PM at Saeger Middle School. The Expo is an informational event that encourages sixth- through twelfth-grade students and their parents to learn more about opportunities and careers in the trades.  Read more about Local School Districts to Host Trade Careers Expo

Some student-athletes find their athletic passion on the basketball court or the football field. For FHSD students Joanna Dohrman and Reagan Cathcart, Their calling is in the swimming pool. Both seniors made FHSD proud and captured state championship titles at the MSHSAA State Swim meet in February.  Read more about FHSD Seniors Joanna Dohrman and Reagan Cathcart Win State Swimming Championship Titles

When school districts in Missouri and around the country need to make large capital expenditures like building new facilities or making major repairs, they have to borrow money. Bonds are the way that school districts, fire districts, ambulance districts, etc. borrow that money. When voters approve a bond issue, the district obtains bids and sells bonds to the purchaser who offers the lowest interest rate (and current rates are very low). The funds are then used to complete capital projects, and the debt is paid back over time.  Read more about School District Bond Issues

The Francis Howell School District is proud to announce that Dione Anderson, a reading teacher at Harvest Ridge Elementary School, has been selected as the 2020 FHSD Teacher of the Year. She is a product of the District and says her desire to become a teacher dates back to her days in Mrs. Miller’s second grade class at Becky-David Elementary. “I felt loved and accepted in her class, and my love of reading flourished,” says Anderson. “I remember thinking that I wanted to be in school for the rest of my life. Many inspiring teachers followed her, strengthening my resolve to teach.”  Read more about Harvest Ridge Teacher Dione Anderson Selected as District Teacher of the Year

Students from the FHHS, FHC, and FHN Chapters of Missouri DECA (An Association of Marketing Students) joined over 750 other high school marketing students at the annual District career development conference held February 12, 2020, at South County Center.  Read more about FHSD DECA State Qualifiers

Congratulations to FHHS Principal Dr. Dave Wedlock, the Missouri Interscholastic Press Association (MIPA) has selected him as their 2020 Administrator of the Year!  Read more about Dr. David Wedlock Selected as the MIPA 2020 Administrator of the Year

Over 90 high school students from across the District recently attended the Missouri State Thespian Conference 2020 held in Kansas City. During the three-day conference, the students competed in a variety of theater events and took home some impressive awards and honors.  Read more about FHSD High School Students Attend the Missouri State Thespian Conference 2020

The College Board has again honored FHSD with placement on the Tenth Annual AP® District Honor Roll. FHSD is one of only seven school districts in Missouri, and one of only 250 in North America, to achieve this distinction. To be included on the Tenth Annual Honor Roll, the District had to increase the number of students participating in the Advanced Placement Program (AP) while also maintaining or increasing the percentage of students earning scores of 3 or higher on an AP Exam. Reaching these goals indicates that FHSD is successfully identifying motivated, academically prepared students who are ready for Advanced Placement. This is the sixth time that FHSD has been named to the prestigious list.  Read more about FHSD Named to Tenth Annual AP District Honor Roll

In the spirit of February and Valentine’s Day, students across the District will have the chance to find a new love for computer science during “We Love to Code” month. Schools across the District have planned opportunities for students that explore the world of coding, programming, and more.  Read more about FHSD Celebrates “We Love to Code Month”

A new Missouri law requires all school volunteers to have criminal background checks that now include fingerprints before volunteering and interacting with students. The fingerprint records are submitted to the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a search of criminal history files.  Read more about New Missouri School Volunteer Background Checks

As part of the District's strategic planning process, we are working to develop a profile of a Francis Howell graduate. We are asking for the input of our parents, staff, and community members about what they want for our graduates and how we can best prepare them for life after high school. To participate in this Thoughtexchange, please click here. Thank you for providing your feedback; it is an invaluable part of this important effort.  Read more about What do You Want for Howell Graduates?

FHSD is always looking for community and business partnerships that provide learning opportunities for our students – and our staff! One of the goals of the District’s strategic plan is to “Extend student learning opportunities through partnerships between school, home, and the community.” As the District works to educate the workforce of the 21st Century, the assistance of our local partners is critical to this mutually beneficial effort. The investment in time and resources for our community partners can be as little as one hour of the school day or as much as a year-long internship. To learn more, view the informational flyer.  Read more about Partnership Opportunities with the Francis Howell School District

The Francis Howell School District Board of Education has voted unanimously to place Proposition S on the April 7, 2020, ballot. Proposition S is a $244 million bond issue that will not increase the current tax rate. Voter approval of Proposition S would allow the District to borrow money now and in the future to address pressing facility needs at all Francis Howell schools.  Read more about Francis Howell Board Votes to Place Bond Issue on April Ballot

Almost 100 students from Francis Howell High School, Francis Howell Central High School, Bryan Middle School, and Francis Howell Middle School visited Missouri’s State Capitol in November for the 71st annual Missouri Youth and Government Convention. Youth and Government (YAG) allows students to experience life as a state representative.  Read more about Students Enact Change at Annual Youth and Government Convention

High school students in FHSD recently cooked up some tasty meals during the inaugural Food for Thought Academy. The after school program, sponsored by FHSD, District food service provider Sodexo, and FHN teacher Becky Just, offers advanced culinary education taught by local professional chefs.  Read more about FHSD and Sodexo Introduce Food for Thought Academy

FHSD high schools have the opportunity to compete against each other in a variety of contests throughout the year. In a tasty twist, FHHS, FHC, FHN, and FHU recently took the competition to the kitchen by participating in the FHSD Iron Chef/Culinary Throw-Down.  Read more about The Annual FHSD Iron Chef/Culinary Throw-Down

On Nov. 13, fourteen high school students across FHSD took a seat in front of family and friends and signed their National Letters of Intent. These students committed to continue their academic and athletic careers in college.  Read more about FHSD Early Signing Day 2019

Thanks so much to the 850+ Francis Howell stakeholders who provided feedback on the first Thoughtexchange about FHSD facilities and a bond issue; the results are now available on the District website. Now, we invite you to provide input on a follow-up question on bond issue communications through the Thoughtexchange survey.  Read more about Thoughtexchange 2.0: Facilities and Bond Issue Communications

In honor of Veterans Day on Monday, Nov. 11, FHSD schools are participating in a variety of assemblies, activities, and celebrations to recognize veterans and all of our loved ones who have served our country. Here is a list of events happening throughout the District:  Read more about FHSD Celebrates Veterans Day

School-based physical therapy involves dynamic collaboration with students, staff, and parents to ensure that every student can successfully navigate the school environment and effectively learn, socialize, and play. At FHSD, this includes assessing all areas where a student might interact during the school day to ensure that the student can be as independent as possible in their functional mobility. “In the school system, physical therapists use creative and functional interventions to help students access their educational environment,” said District PT Anne Miller. “For example, being able to use the playground, getting on and off the bus, participating in PE and navigating their school.”  Read more about FHSD Celebrates National Physical Therapy Week

Francis Howell School District’s Transportation Department conducted annual school bus evacuation drills on October 22 - 24. The drills are an important component of bus safety and help ensure that every student knows what to do in the event of an emergency that requires immediate evacuation from the vehicle.  Read more about FHSD Bus Evacuation Drills Ensure Student Safety

FHC hosted this year’s Gateway Athletic Conference Sports Education Seminar, which gathered student-athletes from seventeen different schools including FHC, FHHS, and FHN, for a day of learning and discussions. In total, 170 students, 34 coaches, and 17 activity directors attended the event where they had the opportunity to learn about teamwork, college recruitment, and more.  Read more about FHC Hosts the 2019 Gateway Athletic Conference Sports Education Seminar

FHSD is requesting your input on District facilities and a no tax rate increase bond issue to address the items identified in the Comprehensive Facilities Master Plan (CFMP). The District is using a new tool called Thoughtexchange to gather feedback from our community. All of our voices matter, so your participation is crucial and valued.  Read more about Thoughtexchange: Facilities and Future Bond Issue

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has released the 2019 Annual Performance Report (APR) data for school districts around the state. Last year FHSD received a score of 100 percent on the “school district report card,” but this year DESE has moved away from a single score for school districts. All APR data will continue to be published for all content and standards, but will now feature bar charts that show if a school district is at Floor, Approaching Target, On Track, or On Target.  Read more about DESE Releases 2019 Annual Performance Report Scores

It is FHSD’s goal to prepare students for the future – their future careers, their future life, and their future in the real world. A group of FHHS students recently participated in a Real World Wednesday event that taught them basic vehicle maintenance. Representatives from Len’s Auto Repair were invited to teach the students a variety of skills, including how to check tire pressure, how to change a spare tire, how to jumpstart a car and more.  Read more about FHHS Students Prepare for the Open Road

Over 350 students from FHHS, FHN, FHU, Barnwell, Bryan, FHMS, and Hollenbeck attended the annual Manufacturing Day hosted by St. Charles Community College on Oct. 1. Students had the opportunity to meet with professionals and learn about a variety of job opportunities in manufacturing.  Read more about FHSD Students Attend Manufacturing Day

FHSD teachers Kim Linneman and Teresa Swaringim join an elite group of St. Louis area educators selected to receive the 2019 Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award. This award recognizes teachers for their passion for teaching, their impact on student learning, and their knowledge and creativity in the classroom. The recipients are chosen for their outstanding contributions to the teaching profession and to the students they teach.   Read more about Two FHSD Teachers Receive Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award

During 2018, FHSD worked proactively with the architectural firm Hoener Associates, Inc. to develop a Comprehensive Facilities Master Plan (CFMP). This plan identified both the current state of the District’s facilities as well as its future needs. The FHSD Board of Education is considering placing a no tax rate increase bond issue on the ballot in April to pay for the construction, repair, and renovation costs outlined in the CFMP.  Read more about FHSD Facilities/Bond Issue

The U.S. Department of Education has recognized Becky-David Elementary, Daniel Boone Elementary, and Warren Elementary as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2019. The three Francis Howell elementary schools received the prestigious award based on their exemplary high academic performance. Only five other elementary schools in Missouri received the award this year.  Read more about Three FHSD Schools Honored as 2019 National Blue Ribbon Schools

During last night’s the closed session portion of the Board meeting, FHSD Superintendent Dr. Mary Hendricks-Harris asked the Board of Education to accept her retirement effective June 30, 2020.   Read more about FHSD Superintendent Announces Retirement

The Board of Education was honored to welcome FHHS senior Bofua Kume as the student representative at the September Board Meeting. For those who don’t know Kume, he is known for his leadership, curiosity, and gregarious personality.  Read more about Student Spotlight – FHHS’s Bofua Kume Represents Students at the September Board Meeting

In collaboration with the Missouri Association for College Admission Counseling (MOACAC), FHSD held its first districtwide College Fair on Sept. 18. High school juniors from across the District were transported to Francis Howell Central and given the opportunity to speak with representatives from over 100 universities, community colleges, trade schools, and military recruiters from across the nation.  Read more about FHSD Hosts First Districtwide College Fair

by FHHS Senior Riley Weber - The fifth annual First Responders’ Night football game was held on Friday, Sept. 6. The event was organized by Activity Director Sean Erwin with the help of the 12th Man Football Boosters.  Read more about Fifth Annual First Responders’ Night

The Francis Howell School District is proud to announce that five FHSD students have been named Semifinalists in the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program. These seniors are among 16,000 Semifinalists chosen as part of the annual academic competition. The Semifinalists, who were selected based on scores on a PSAT qualifying test, will compete for some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $31 million, to be awarded in the spring. The FHSD Semifinalists are:  Read more about Five FHSD Seniors Selected as National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists

FHSD is proud to announce that 333 students, the most in District history, have been named Advanced Placement (AP) Scholars for 2018-19. The AP program recognizes high school students who have demonstrated outstanding college-level achievement through AP courses and exams with the prestigious AP Scholar Awards.   Read more about AP Scholars 2019

While the FHSD transportation Department is new this year, what’s not new is the dedication and skill of many of the bus drivers. For Hannah Scharfenberg, driving a bus is more than just a job. It’s a mission to keep students safe during the commute to school. Each year, she participates in safety bus competitions to continue her growth as a driver. In June she won the 2019 State School Bus Safety Competition hosted by the Missouri Association for Pupil Transportation. As state champion, she earned the right to compete in the Annual School Bus Driver International Safety Competition hosted by the National School Transportation Association (NSTA) where she placed fifth in the nation.  Read more about FHSD Bus Driver Hannah Scharfenberg - A Champion of Bus Safety

The FHSD Transportation Department wants to take this opportunity to remind our parents about some of the changes with our new Francis Howell buses. New routing software will assign pick up/drop off locations for students that comply with the state guidelines. This includes ensuring that bus stops are at least 500 ft. apart, the minimum recommended distance to activate warning lights. This year we are creating more neighborhood bus stops instead of specific house stops. This also means FHSD buses may not be traveling up and down every street in every neighborhood, especially for secondary students. In order to make our routes as efficient as possible, we are encouraging parents to inform their school office if they do not need school bus transportation.  Read more about FHSD Bus Transportation Update

This summer has been an exciting time for 2019 FHSD graduates as they celebrate their impressive achievements and anticipate a new chapter in their lives. For FHHS graduate Bryce Thornton, exciting opportunities are already coming his way.  Read more about FHHS Graduate Has a Bright Future in Engineering

The Francis Howell School District has partnered with St. Charles Community College (SCC) to offer the Early College Program (ECP) to all FHSD high school students. ECP offers high school students the opportunity to earn transferable college credits at SCC while still enrolled in high school. When enrolled in ECP, students will take college coursework on the campus of SCC with textbooks and curriculum taught by SCC professors. Students can earn enough credits to complete part or all of an Associate’s Degree while concurrently earning a high school diploma. Students and their families will be required to pay for all tuition, books, and fees.   Read more about FHSD Early College Program