In order for HISD students to be promoted to the next grade level, they must show that they have learned what the State of Texas requires of all public school children. HISD “Promotion Standards” generally include classroom grades and a local or state test. Details about the standards are available online through your child’s school.

 

Grading and Report Cards 

Academic Subjects	Conduct
90–100 = Excellent	E = Excellent
80–89 = Good; above average	S = Satisfactory
75–79 = Satisfactory; average	P = Poor; below average
70–74 = Passing; below average	U = Unsatisfactory
Below 70 = Unsatisfactory; failing

 

Grade Classification

In high school, a student’s total credits determine the student’s classification—i.e.., what grade level or “year” the student is in. Board of Education policy concerning classification is described in HISD Board Policy EIE(LOCAL).

Credits Earned	Classification (year)
0–5.5	grade 9 (freshman)
6–11.5	grade 10 (sophomore)
12–17.5	grade 11 (junior)
18 or more	grade 12 (senior)

 

Grades and Extracurricular Activities

Under the state’s “no pass/no play” law, eligibility for participation in extracurricular activities during the first six weeks of the school year is determined by a student’s grades from the final grading cycle of the previous school year or the number of credits earned during the previous school year. After the first six weeks, a student who receives a grade lower than 70 (or the equivalent) in any academic course is ineligible to participate in extracurricular activities during the first three school weeks of the next grading period. During that time, the student may continue to practice or rehearse with other students but may not take part in any competition or public performance.

 

Report Cards 

Six-week grading periods are used in all HISD Schools. All schools will send report cards to parents six times during the year, shortly after the end of each six-week grading period.

If a student is not progressing satisfactorily, parents receive a preliminary report at the midpoint of the grading period and at other times as necessary. Parents must sign and return the reports.

2025-2026 Report Cards 

SIX WEEKS CYCLES		CYCLE DATES	# of Days  in Cycle	2025-2026 REPORT CARD DATES
CYCLE I	Aug 12 – Sep. 19		27 days		September 26 (Friday)
CYCLE II	Sep 22 – Oct 31		28 days		November 10 (Monday)
CYCLE III	Nov 3 – Dec 19		29 days		January 9 (Friday)
CYCLE IV	Jan 6 – Feb 20		31 days		February 27 (Friday)
CYCLE V	Feb 23 – Apr 17		33 days		April 24 (Friday)
CYCLE VI	Apr 20 – June 4		33 days		June 4 (Thursday) (ES/K-8/MS)  June 12 (Friday) (HS)