Francis HowellSchool District

Gaming isn’t just an after-school hobby anymore. Organized, competitive video game playing, or eSports, is on the rise. So are the number of college scholarships. At the professional level, eSports is a billion dollar a year industry. Games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Overwatch, and League of Legends can be a viable career path for some students. Total winnings for a single game at the professional level have hit as high a $4 million.  Read more about FHC eSports Players Receive $392,000 in Scholarships

FHSD is proud to announce that during the 2018-19 school year, three FHSD students scored a perfect 36 on the ACT test. Laurel Ammond from FHC, Arianna Chaves from FHN, and Sara Stiens from FHHS join a very select group. Only one-tenth of one percent of the almost two million students who take the ACT every year are able to achieve a perfect score.  Read more about FHSD Students Achieve Perfect ACT Scores

The Francis Howell School District is one of thirty-three districts from throughout Missouri that achieved the Missouri School Boards’ Association 2019 Governance Team Award. The award is based on the outstanding commitment to ongoing professional development, regional and statewide leadership, and active participation in legislative advocacy for public schools by the school board and superintendent.  Read more about FHSD Recognized by Missouri School Boards’ Association

Castlio Elementary SEGA teacher Tracy Branstetter and Independence Elementary Spectra teacher Maggie Henke have both been awarded grants from the Gifted Support Network (GSN). The GSN educator grant was created to provide teachers with resources to facilitate enrichment for high-ability students. This enrichment can include anything from purchasing classroom supplies for a specific project to activities for students to work on outside of the classroom. The grant is open to all educators in the St. Louis metro area who work with gifted or high-ability students (and is not limited only to educators in gifted education programs).  Read more about Two FHSD Teachers Awarded Gifted Support Network Grants

The learning never stops in FHSD, and that includes our Board of Education members. FHSD Board Director Mary Lange recently earned Advanced Board Certification and Vice President Chad Lange achieved Master Certification in the Missouri School Boards' Association (MSBA) certified board member program. The program established by MSBA recognizes school board members who choose to complete additional professional development beyond what is required by state law.  Read more about Two FHSD Board Members Earn Additional MSBA Certifications

The Francis Howell School District has announced that Dr. Kirsteen James has been selected as the interim principal at Francis Howell Middle School, effective July 1, 2019. Dr. James has served as an assistant principal at FHMS for the past eight years. She will succeed the current principal Dr. Ted Huff, who is retiring at the end of the 2018-19 school year.  Read more about Dr. Kirsteen James Named Interim Principal at Francis Howell Middle School

George Washington’s Mount Vernon has selected Saeger Middle School social studies teacher Matt Van Horn for a residential fellowship at the Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington. Van Horn is one of five teachers selected for this opportunity to enhance their 18th-century knowledge, explore different teaching techniques, and create educational resources that meet 21st century classroom needs.   Read more about Saeger’s Matt Van Horn Chosen as Mount Vernon Life Guard Teaching Fellow

Stay informed about the recent Board of Education actions.   Read more about Board Update 05/16/19

Thirteen FHSD high school students recently completed the University of Missouri – St. Louis (UMSL) Bridge Program Saturday Academy. The program provides high school students with stimulating experiences, college planning, and social and professional competencies.   Read more about FHSD High School Students Complete UMSL Bridge Program

In the wake of a tragedy, Francis Howell Central students have transformed a reminder of the incident into a work of art. Following an accident in April when a student drove through the front doors of the school, FHC art students have created elaborate and colorful murals to greet students and visitors.  Read more about FHC Students Turn Tragedy into Triumph

Smiles are universal. No matter what language you speak, be it English, Spanish, Chinese, or sign language, smiles are an unspoken form of communication that symbolize joy, laughter, appreciation, and so much more. Smiles bring people together and they certainly filled the room at this year’s Deaf Storyteller event hosted by FHSD. The day provided students who are deaf or hard of hearing an opportunity to share their experiences, socialize with friends, and participate in a variety of activities.  Read more about FHSD’s Annual Deaf Storyteller Day Brings Smiles to Students

During the inaugural Missouri STEM Signing Day in Jefferson City, FHN senior Corey Valleroy was recognized for his passion and STEM accomplishments. Valleroy was one of 10 students from around the state who was honored for his academic achievement and presented with a $1,000 scholarship. “I would like to thank everyone for putting this event on,” said Valleroy, who plans on studying mechanical engineering at the University of Missouri. “it’s been awesome!”  Read more about FHN Senior Corey Valleroy Recognized at Inaugural STEM Signing Day

By FHN senior Madison Abanathie - On Saturday, April 27, FHN’s student-run website FHNtoday.com was recognized as one of the top high school websites in the country with the National Scholastic Press Association’s Online Pacemaker award. Forty-two high school websites from around the country were named Pacemaker Finalists, but only 22 received the coveted award. FHN Journalism Adviser Aaron Manfull has compared the award to the Pulitzer Prize for high school journalists.  Read more about FHNtoday Wins 2018 Pacemaker

In 1902, New York City schools undertook a month-long experiment that would forever impact the public school system. For 30 days, one registered nurse oversaw the health needs of 10,000 students in multiple buildings. The results were almost instant and the impact was lasting. Within six months the absenteeism rate decreased by 90% and the school board soon agreed to hire 27 additional nurses.  Read more about FHSD Celebrates National School Nurses Day

As part of the CAPS internship program, FHHS seniors Devon Bowles and Courtney Templeton recently created a promotional video for the Lewis & Clark Career Center. The Lewis & Clark Career Center serves juniors and seniors from all St. Charles County high schools and provides a rigorous, supportive, and meaningful technical education program. Check out the video to see how L&C can help students explore their career interests while earning industry certifications, high school (and possibly) college credit as well as skills that will last a lifetime!  Read more about Lewis & Clark Promotional Video

Teachers deliver so much to students—inspiration, knowledge, and motivation. They play a pivotal role in our children’s lives, inspiring a lifelong love of learning and discovery and making a difference in their well-being and long-term success. Join us in showing our thanks and appreciation to our dedicated educators during Teacher Appreciation Week, May 6-10, 2019.  Read more about FHSD Celebrates Teachers During Teacher Appreciation Week

School Nutrition employees play an active role in the school day for most students. Preparing well-balanced, nutritious meals that meet strict guidelines isn’t easy. But these individuals manage to do that every day, and sometimes twice a day! Francis Howell School District celebrates School Nutrition Employee Week May 6 - 10, 2019. FHSD thanks everyone who dons an apron instead of a cape to make a difference in the cafeteria.  Read more about FHSD’s School Nutrition Employees Wear Aprons In Lieu of Capes

During a recent awards ceremony at FHC, more than 70 FHSD high school students were presented with the Missouri “Seal of Biliteracy” that recognizes proficiency in two languages. The Seal promotes active participation in a global society and economy by recognizing and celebrating the acquisition of biliteracy skills and sociocultural awareness.  Read more about FHSD High School Students Earn the Seal of Biliteracy

Teachers play an important role in our students’ lives every day. They teach them about world history, show them how to solve that difficult math problem, and prepare them for their dream job when they grow up. They impact a student’s life in countless ways and in some cases, like Castlio teacher Kaitlin Howard, they might actually save a student’s life one day.  Read more about Thank you, Miss Howard, For Saving My Life

Five high school seniors from the Francis Howell School District have been selected for recognition as part of the 2019 Missouri Scholars 100, a program that honors 100 of Missouri’s highest achieving students. Missouri Scholars 100 is sponsored by the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals. Schools are invited to nominate two candidates for recognition. Each student nominated has to first meet the criteria of an Academic Decathlon, which includes 10 events designed to test the academic strength of each student.  Read more about Five FHSD Students Named to Missouri Scholars 100

Today, principals are so much more than a face behind the desk. They are educators, cheerleaders, emotional support counselors, friends, coaches, mentors, collaborators, and leaders. They are the motivating force for their students, teachers, and support staff. Setting the tone for their entire building, it’s their guidance and leadership that helps everyone succeed.  Read more about FHSD Celebrates National School Principals’ Day