Academics

In AP classes, just like in college, you’ll face new challenges and learn new skills in the subjects you care about. All with the support of your classmates and teachers. By taking an AP course and scoring successfully on the related AP Exam, you can save on college expenses. Most colleges and universities nationwide offer college credit, Advanced Placement (AP) credit, or both for qualifying AP Exam scores. These credits can allow students to save on college tuition, study abroad, or secure a second major. (Information cited from College Board) 

Classes offered are contingent on staffing and enrollment.  Some AP Courses do not earn a GPA. Per the recommendation of the College Board, there are no summer reading assignments, but there may be a suggested reading list compiled by a teacher. Therefore, WISD is adopting the policy of NO summer assignments. There are no grades issued for these suggested assignments and should not be used to prevent a student’s entrance into a class.

The College Board identifies motivation as the key factor in being a successful Pre-AP/AP student. Other factors that are also important include having a strong foundation and interest in the subject matter covered. 

CBE with prior instruction   

Students may earn credits by examination (CBE) on any academic course that is required for graduation if the student has had prior instruction but has not successfully passed the course.  The state of Texas Education Agency has determined four testing windows that school districts will offer CBE’s testing.  WISD administers CBE tests in conjunction with the Texas Tech University Independent School District and/or the University of Texas at Austin UT High School 4 times a year.  The school district will determine and publicize in the community at the beginning of each school year the CBE testing dates that will take place between January 1 and March 31, April 1 and June 30, July 1 and September 30, and October 1 and December 31. A student who is homeless or in substitute care transfers to the district after the start of the school year to be administered credit by examination at any point during the school year.  A student may take a specific examination only once during each testing window and may not attempt to earn CBE for a specific high school course more than two times. CBE scores will be reported by the testing institution to the school district and to the student within approximately 4-6 weeks.  A student in any of Grades 6-12 may be given credit for an academic subject in which he or she had prior instruction if the student scores an average of 70% or higher on both semesters of the CBE that has been approved by the school district board of trustees for the applicable course. Exam fees apply and will be paid by the student to WISD before the exam.  *Students who are denied credit due to excessive absences may not take a Credit by Exam to regain credit for that course.

Prospective college-bound athletes should be aware that NCAA programs do not recognize high school credits earned by Credit by Examination (CBE).

CBE without prior instruction

Students may earn credit by examination (CBE) on any academic course that is required for graduation, other than courses that require a state assessment for End of Course (EOC) completion, if the student has not had prior instruction in that subject area.  The state of Texas Education Agency has determined four testing windows that school districts will offer CBE’s testing.  WISD administers CBE tests in conjunction with the Texas Tech University Independent School District (TTUISD) and /or the University of Texas at Austin UT High School 4 times a year.  The school district will determine and publicize in the community at the beginning of each school year the CBE testing dates that will take place between January 1 and March 31, April 1 and June 30, July 1 and September 30, and October 1 and December 31.  A student who is homeless or in substitute care transfers to the district after the start of the school year to be administered credit by examination at any point during the school year.  A student may take a specific examination only once during each testing window and may not attempt to earn CBE for a specific high school course more than two times. There is no charge for a first-time CBE for acceleration purposes; the second attempt will be paid for by the student’s parents or guardian.  CBE scores will be reported by the testing institution to the school district and to the student in approximately 4-6 weeks.  If an average of 80% or higher is achieved in both semesters of the CBE that has been approved by the school district board of trustees for the applicable course, the student is given credit for the course, and the school district must enter the examination score on the student's transcript. 

The Dual Credit Program at WISD offers an opportunity for high school students who have completed their sophomore year or received special permission granted by the district to take college-level academic courses for high school and college credit simultaneously. Courses offered will be based upon a written agreement between WISD, their institution of higher education, and must meet the Texas Education Code provisions relating to courses for joint high school and college credit. Students must meet all requirements for enrollment at their institution of higher education for both semesters and will be required to enroll through the college’s business office. Students are responsible for all required fees, tuition, and books for both semesters by the deadlines given by their college professors. Failure to obtain the required supplies could result in being dropped from the course. Students who have not met the acceptable dual credit tests must take a College Placement Exam (TSI Assessment). Students who are exempt from one part of the placement test will be required to take the TSI Assessment in the other areas before enrolling for related college courses. Students must take the TSI for dual credit admissions. TSI will be offered at WHS before student course selections. Please check with a counselor for specific test dates.

FD (LOCAL) A student enrolling in a district school from a non-accredited public, private, or parochial school, including a homeschool, shall be placed initially at the discretion of the principal, pending observation by classroom teachers, guidance personnel, and the principal. 

Criteria for preliminary placement may include:

1. Scores on achievement tests, which may be administered by appropriate district personnel.
2. Recommendation of the sending school.
3. Prior academic record.
4. Chronological age and social and emotional development of the student.
5. Other criteria are deemed appropriate by the principal.

Upon enrollment in WISD, students will be assessed using credit-by-examination (CBE) methods. The student will be required to meet the state standard of 70% in both semesters of the course subject area assessment to receive credit for courses they have already taken.

For additional information and assistance in finding an accredited Home School program in the state of Texas, please visit the following links:

• Texas HomeSchool Coalition                               
• Texas Home Educators
• Texas Private School Accreditation Commission
• International Association for Learner-Driven Schools

The Off-Campus Physical Educator Program is a cooperative arrangement between the Waxahachie Independent School District and the approved off-campus sponsoring facility/agency. These guidelines include a list of basic requirements/responsibilities that have been estimated by WISD and the Texas Education Agency (TEA). These requirements must be met and maintained to be eligible for participation in the program. For a detailed description, see Board Policy EHAC (REGULATION). Private or commercially sponsored physical activity programs, in which students participate in intensive training above and beyond that of regular physical education classes, may be substituted for physical education credit for students in grades 6-12 as allowed by the district and TEA. Activities are defined as those in which a student works with either a single teacher/coach or with a team of teachers/coaches at an approved agency during the regular school year.

General Requirements

1. Students in grades six (6) through twelve (12) will be eligible for consideration for the off-campus program. 
2. Students will receive a maximum of one-half (.5) credit per semester. Confirm with your school counselor regarding PE credit requirements.
3. A student may not participate in the OCPE program if the sport is offered as part of the WISD curriculum unless the student is released from or not placed on a team as part of the school program.
4. Students applying for OCPE will be considered under two categories:
   • Category I - This program requires a minimum of fifteen (15) hours per week of highly intense, professionally supervised training. Students qualifying at this level may be dismissed from school one period per day for such participation. The student will be required to follow this schedule for the entire semester.
   • Category II – This program is to be of high quality, well supervised by appropriately trained instructors, and consist of a minimum of five (5) hours per week. Students participating at this level MAY NOT be dismissed from any part of the regular school day.

For inquiries to determine if you are eligible to participate in the Off-Campus PE program or to learn more about the application procedures and requirements to participate in the Off-Campus PE, please contact a counselor.

The Waxahachie High School College and Career Center is committed to preparing all students for the next exciting chapter of their lives by ensuring that they are college, career, and life ready. The Center is designed to provide information, skills, and opportunities to help students achieve their full potential, whether that path involves college, a career, or the military. 

Preliminary SAT & National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test

The PSAT  NMSQT is a standardized test that provides first-hand practice for the SAT Reasoning Test and is a co-sponsored program by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). The PSAT NMSQT measures critical reading skills, math problem-solving skills, and writing skills. The PSAT is used as a predictor of success on the SAT and is offered in October of each school year at Waxahachie High School. Any student in grade 9 will pay approximately $15.00.

Pre-ACT

The PRE-ACT simulates the ACT testing experience within a shorter test window on all four ACT test subjects: English, math, reading, and science. Results help predict future success on the ACT, and provide both current achievement and projected future ACT scores on the familiar 1-36 ACT score scale. All sophomore students registered to take the PSAT will automatically be enrolled to take the Pre-ACT. This test will be administered on a scheduled school day.

SAT

The SAT Reasoning Test is a standardized test that evaluates reading, writing/language, and math, and may be used as a predictor of college success. The current SAT Reasoning Test is administered in approximately four hours.  For student costs, please refer to the SAT webpage.  The SAT essay is an optional portion of the test, which is scored in two 800-point sections, with a possible combined score of 1600. Students may access information and register online.  The WHS College Board high school code number is 447-382. The SAT center code number for Waxahachie HS is 44-888.  Flyers are available in the counseling office for area SAT preparation courses.

ACT

The ACT assesses high school students' general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work. The ACT is administered in approximately three hours.   The multiple-choice tests cover four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science. The Writing Test, which is optional, measures skill in planning and writing a short essay.  Students may access information online. Refer to the ACT website for student costs and register online.

Grade Point Averages (GPA) are calculated on transcripts of the student’s earned grades each semester. The grade points awarded for each course are listed as the “GPA Type” in the course catalog handbook.  Some courses receive credit for graduation but do not earn a GPA.  For example, Algebra I taken in junior high counts as a credit towards graduation but is not used to compute class rank.  However, Algebra I taken in grades 9-12 counts toward graduation credit and computing class rank.

The 6.0 scale listed in the campus course catalog is used for ranking purposes. The 4.0 scale listed in the campus course catalog is used for those students whose planned college enrollment requires a GPA to be calculated on a 4.0 scale. According to Waxahachie Board Policy EIC (LOCAL)- X, “Class rank for all students in grades 10–12 shall be calculated three times per year, following the first full semester, the second full semester, and after all summer school programs. Official class rankings for students in grade 9 shall be calculated only after the completion of the second full semester and all summer school programs.” In accordance with EIC(LOCAL)- X, class rank will be calculated on the third Friday in September, January, and June.