AFFIRMATIVE ENROLLMENT IN VOCATIONAL CLASSES 

Student enrollment in vocational courses will be determined based on student interest and career plans without regard to race, religion, sex or disability. 

NON-DISCRIMINATION 

It is the policy of the Fort Payne City Board of Education not to discriminate on the basis of sex, handicap, religion, creed, national origin, race, color or age in its educational programs, activities, or employment policies as required by Federal Regulation. 

Awards and Honors involving academic averages will be based on academic courses only.  These awards include valedictorian, salutatorian, Junior Marshals, and National Honor Society.   To be considered for these awards, juniors must have taken or be taking twelve (12) academic courses; seniors must have taken or be taking sixteen (16) academic courses. The Presidential Academic Fitness award is given to seniors having a 90 or above numeric with core GPA. 

Valedictorian, salutatorian, and academic top ten seniors are determined at the end of the first term of the senior year. Beginning with the graduating class of 2028 this will be determined at the end of the second term of the senior year. If the average is within one thousandth to fifty thousandth of a point, consideration may be given to the number of academic courses completed and the time when the courses are completed.  The end result may be that a tie will be declared.   

Academic courses are defined as follows: English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, and Foreign Language (refer to the change listed under the “Honors Endorsement” section that will affect the 2023-24 graduating cohort and beyond as it relates to the foreign language class). Class standings will be computed only for the determination of awards, for admission to college, etc. Cumulative GPA will be determined at the end of each term and printed on report cards.  In order to be eligible for Valedictorian or Salutatorian, a student must have been enrolled at Fort Payne High School for three consecutive terms beginning their junior year.  The student must have earned a minimum of 12 credits or 10 credits if enrolled in dual-enrollment classes from Fort Payne High School by the end of the first term of their Senior Year. Grades earned in a Home School or school not accredited by the State Department of Education will not be considered in determining Valedictorian, Salutatorian or other academic awards. 

PROVIDING INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENT RESULTS IN A LANGUAGE THAT PARENTS CAN UNDERSTAND 

Fort Payne High School will provide individual academic achievement results and interpretation of the results in a language that the parent can understand at the parent’s request. For additional information regarding this subject please contact your school Guidance Counselor. 

ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY 

All traditional and non-traditional students at Fort Payne High School will follow the rules and regulations set forth by the Alabama High School Athletic Association, the National Federation of High Schools, local board policy and athletic handbook policies. You may refer to the following website for policies from the AHSAA: http://www.ahsaa.com/  

HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM 

Fort Payne High School provides approximately 1,100 students with the opportunities to develop academic, personal, social, and career awareness through a comprehensive curriculum. The goal of the Fort Payne City School System is to prepare each student to be college and career ready as he/she graduates from high school.  

Students entering high school have the opportunity to select a course of study based on their career interests. Some restrictions may apply to the selection of a curriculum based on the academic performance and ability of a student as well as the availability of particular courses.  

The College Preparatory curriculum provides students the opportunity to take advanced courses in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and foreign languages. This curriculum consists of Honors Classes, Advanced Placement (AP), Dual Enrollment (DE) courses, and Early College. The Early College, Dual Enrollment and AP courses allow students to complete college-level studies while in high school. These students have excelled in high school, have a high interest in the subject area, and are college bound. Students are encouraged to request the academic requirements for admission from the colleges they wish to attend. This will help to provide a guide for students when choosing Dual Enrollment, Advanced Placement and Early College courses. 

The Career Tech Preparatory curriculum prepares students for advanced courses required by two-year technical, community colleges, and four-year colleges through a blending of traditional academic and technical courses. This program is designed to be as academically challenging as College Prep while ensuring that students are properly prepared to meet the demands of technical schools, two or four-year colleges/universities, and/or the technical job market. Articulated college credit may be issued in many career technical classes if a student makes a grade of 85 or higher. (Students may apply for articulated credit upon enrollment at a junior college.) Courses listed in our Course Catalog are included in a comprehensive list of all courses taught in the Fort Payne City School System. Additional courses may be offered through ACCESS (Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators, and Students Statewide), Northeast Alabama Community College or other virtual learning providers. Information about virtual learning opportunities can be obtained at the school. If a student opts to take a virtual course for which an equivalent course is available at the school, he/she will be responsible for any textbook or other fees that may be involved in the course. 

ACADEMIC SCHEDULE 

1) ALABAMA CIVICS EXAM (All graduating classes) 

The ALSDE requires that all students take and pass a Civics test prior to graduating. The test consists of 100 multiple choice questions and is given during the time the student is taking the required U.S. Government class or after completion of the course. The student must score 60 or above. A student may take the Alabama Civics Exam multiple times to receive a passing score. 

2) FINANCIAL LITERACY REQUIREMENT (Beginning with graduation class of 2028) 

Alabama students entering Grade 9 in the 2024-2025 academic year must complete a course in personal financial literacy along with an accompanying financial literacy examination. The Financial Literacy Examination consists of fifty (50) multiple-choice questions that assess each of the required instructional topics. To earn a passing score on the Financial Literacy Examination, students must answer a minimum of thirty (30) items correctly; however, a passing score is NOT required for graduation. These required topics and the exam will be completed during the required course of Career Preparedness (also Career Preparedness B). 

3) FAFSA – Alabama Free Application for Federal Student Aid (All graduating classes) 

The state of Alabama requires high school seniors to complete FAFSA or satisfy an opt-out waiver option as part of the graduating senior’s transition into postsecondary education, training, or the workforce. FPHS will provide support to students and parents to complete this process. 

4) COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS (Beginning with graduating class of 2026) 

Effective for students of the graduating Class of 2026, who entered Grade 9 for the first time during the 2022-2023 school year, the Alabama High School Diploma: General Education Pathway shall be issued to students who earn the required credits and earn one or more of the following college and career readiness indicators: 

• Earning a benchmark score in any subject area on the ACT® college entrance exam. 

GRADING PROCEDURES 

There are four grading sessions per school year (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th nine weeks).A mid-session grade is reported in the middle of each grading period. At the end of the course, all 9 weeks averages for that course are averaged together to provide a final class average. If a 15% weighted final exam is required for the course that will also be calculated into the final grade. Grade Reports are viewable through your Parent PowerSchool Portal and printed copies are sent home when requested. 

Grades for each grading period shall be based on five or more evaluations. These grades are divided into the categories of major and minor which reflect their weight on the average. All core classes are weighted as follows: 

•  Honors core classes = Major categories 70% and minor categories 30% total weight of the semester average. 

•  Core Classes (non-honors) = Major categories 60% and minor categories 40% total weight of the semester average.  

In grades 9 - 12, a final(end-of-course) examination will be given in each core subject. This examination will be weighted 15% of the final course grade. Only term numerical grades will be recorded on a student's permanent record. All grades will be recorded numerically and will correspond to the following scale:  

• A = 90 - 100  

• B = 80 - 89   

• C = 70 - 79  

• D = 60 – 69  

• F = 59 or below  

GUIDANCE OFFICE 

The Guidance Office is open to all students.  You are encouraged to come by for information concerning courses to take in high school that will prepare you for college, technical school, or work.  Vocational information is available and you are invited to study any fields related to your interests. 

Each student is responsible for knowing how many credits he/she has earned and for clearing any deficiencies required for graduation.  The guidance counselors are available to help students with these responsibilities.

The counselors are available to help students interpret test results, apply for admission to college, register for college admission tests (ACT and SAT), and register for financial aid.  The Guidance Office is also the place to go when you have problems that you want to talk over.  Making an appointment is helpful, but not necessary. 

HONORS/DUAL ENROLLMENT/ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAMS 

Because of the difficult curriculum of the honors/dual enrollment/advanced placement programs it is more equitable for the honors students' grades to be weighted when computing class rank, determining eligibility for National Honor Society membership, computing Grade Point Average (GPA) and determining the Honor Roll.  All dual enrollment core classes will be considered honors classes.  The following system will be used: (1) Numerical Average: Before computing the total numerical average, ten (10) points will be added to each term honors/advanced placement grade, except for grades below 60.  (2) GPA:  For computing the students' GPA and honor roll for each grade period, the following scale will be used: 

The grades recorded on mid-term reports, grade sheets, grade reports and permanent records will be those ACTUALLY EARNED in the honors/advanced placement courses.  They are to be noted as "Honors" or "AP" courses on all records.  This system will reward the students who accept the challenge of advanced courses while preventing the appearance of inflated grades on mid-term reports or grade reports.  The grade will be given the proper weight and recorded in the PowerSchool grade reporting section. 

Before computing scholastic averages add 10 points for each semester honors/advanced placement grade to the numerical average.  The GPA will be computed as: A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, F=0." 

BELL SCHEDULE 

The bells signify the beginning and end of a block. Students are expected to be in class at the beginning of the block.  The door to each teacher’s room will be closed when the bell rings to begin class.  Any student still in the hall when the bell rings without a permissible excuse is to be considered tardy and will be sent to the Assistant Principal’s office. 

Our cafeteria supports the concept of Offer vs. Serve.  A "Type A" lunch includes a bread item, milk, a meat and two different vegetables and/or fruits.  Students are to choose a minimum of three items from the offering.  Normally, the cafeteria staff tries to offer two meat items and several vegetable and fruit items, in addition to a salad bar and a potato bar. 

Ft. Payne City Schools participates in the National Child Nutrition Program.  Students interested in applying for free or reduced lunches will receive an application the first day of school. 

CHECK OUT PROCEDURES 

Students will not be permitted to leave school before the dismissal of school without permission of the Principal or Assistant Principal.  Parents, guardians or a member of the immediate family must come into the office and sign the student out.  Students are to come to the office before homeroom in the morning with a note from their parent or guardian stating the time and the specific reason for checking out.  Students will report to the office at the checkout time and sign the Checkout Book (blue).  A listing of all students checking out will be published in the morning Wildcat Report. The Administration reserves the right to require parent/legal guardian to come to campus for student check-out. 

Students who drive will have their parents call the school office between 7:30 am and 8:30 am to verify checkouts for that day.  We require a doctor's appointment card or note from the doctor's office for all medical and dental appointments.  The Principal or Assistant Principal shall determine whether the absence from that part of the school day shall be "excused" or "unexcused."  It is important to remember that make-up work will only be permitted for "excused" checkouts, and the student will still be considered absent from the classes missed.  Students scheduled for participation in school activities or events (athletics, band, cheerleading, prom, beauty pageants, club trips or any other school event) CANNOT CHECK OUT THE DAY OF THE EVENT AND STILL PARTICIPATE. 

EMERGENCY CHECK OUT 

We realize that it is sometimes necessary for students to check out of school because of illness.  Any disease or condition that a student has should be noted on the student's registration form.  If a student becomes too ill to go to class, a parent or guardian will be called to come for the student.  A student that is feeling ill should report to the nurse or contact the office immediately. STUDENTS ARE NOT TO STAY IN THE RESTROOM WHEN ILL (this will be considered skipping).  Students are not to call home and tell parents to pick them up.  The Principal or Assistant Principal will contact the parent or guardian.  Any student who leaves without permission of the Principal or Assistant Principal will be considered as "skipping" class.  The emergency checkouts will be published 4th block each day.  It will be the responsibility of the student to make up missed assignments when they return to school. 

TEMPORARY CLOSING AND EARLY DISMISSAL OF SCHOOLS 

The superintendent of schools has the authority to temporarily close schools or dismiss early in the event of severe weather, inadequate heat or other conditions which threaten the safety and well-being of the children. 

When the decision is made to close schools, an announcement will be made on the local radio stations and TV stations as early as possible.  If early dismissal of school is necessary, the local radio and TV stations will be notified.  The superintendent will also use the School Notification System (SNS) to notify parents.  The School Notification System (SNS) will contact all guardians by phone to notify them of an early dismissal.  It is imperative that you keep your SNS accounts up-to-date with current phone numbers at all times. Parents should have an alternate plan in the event schools do close early. 

CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR-CLASSROOM COURTESIES 

Students are to practice good behavior in the classroom, keep noise down, not sit on top of furniture and refrain from defacing or abusing classroom furniture. Continual violations of classroom courtesies will result in strong disciplinary action (ISS, A-School, and suspension).   

Student parking for students who drive to campus is considered a privilege. This privilege can be revoked if students have excessive “Unexcused Absences.”  Any student who has 5 unexcused absences will be considered to have their parking privileges revoked. 

If a student’s parking privileges are revoked and the student continues to park on campus, their vehicle will be subject to be towed at the recommendation of the school resource officer or designated school administrator.  

RESTROOMS 

Students may use restrooms between class changes if they can do so without being late to class.  Otherwise, they should be used at break, before and after school.  During class, students may go to the restroom only if they have the proper emergency pass.  STUDENTS ARE NOT TO STAY IN THE RESTROOM WHEN SICK, BUT ARE TO REPORT TO THE OFFICE IMMEDIATELY. 

SCHOOL RELATED TRIPS 

All school related trips must be cleared by the Principal at least one week in advance.  Students are subject to all school rules and regulations and the code of conduct while on school related trips and will not be allowed to check out until the proper time approved by the Principal.  Permission forms must be signed by a parent/guardian and returned to the teacher prior to the trip. 

SELLING ITEMS ON CAMPUS/BUSES 

Students are not permitted to sell unapproved items on campus or school buses.  All items are subject to confiscation and the student is subject to disciplinary action. 

TELEPHONE 

Students are to use the phone only for emergencies.  It is not to be used during class, study hall, lunch and activity periods.  Those students who violate this privilege will be subject to disciplinary action. 

YEARBOOK PICTURES 

The yearbook staff will be responsible for planning club pictures with each club responsible for the behavior of its members.  The club sponsor should be present at the time of taking the picture to assist in supervision.  Students are reminded to conduct themselves in an honorable manner.  No obscene gestures or intentionally distracting movements by a student will be allowed.  Proper attire is to be worn. Students are expected to cooperate with the yearbook photographer by being attentive and facing the camera. 

Violations of this policy will lead to disciplinary action for the individual student.  If no acceptable copy of the group picture is available because of a student's violation of this policy, that club will forfeit its picture position in the yearbook.   

Acknowledgment Forms 

You can view any of the acknowledgment forms signed during the online enrollment process by going to the FPCS Code of Conduct found on the school website.  

School Compact 24-25