Address and Telephone Numbers
Florence High School
1201
Bradshaw Drive
Florence, AL 35630
• Main Office Telephone (256) 768-2200
• Main Office Fax (256) 768-2205
• Guidance Office Telephone (256) 768-2215
• Guidance Office Fax (256) 768-2206
Location and Demographics
The city of Florence, Alabama is located in
Northwest Alabama, with a population of approximately 36,000.
Florence High School (FHS) serves as the city’s public high
school with an enrollment of approximately 960 students in
grades 10-12. The Freshman Center serves an additional 370 ninth
graders. These figures represent a rich, real-world diversity
of students - all races, cultures, religions, ethnic origins and
abilities.
Accreditation
FHS is accredited by both the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools and the Alabama State
Department of Education. In several areas, Florence High School
exceeds the high accreditation standards set by these
organizations.
School Colors and Mascot
The school colors of FHS are royal blue, silver,
black and white. The mascot is a falcon.
Faculty
Including administrators, there are a total of 76 certified staff
members at FHS. Of those 76, 15 hold bachelor’s degrees (22%),
57 hold master’s degrees (70%), and four hold Ed.S. degrees
(8%). Four are National Board Certified.
Curriculum
With more than 160 course offerings, FHS provides the most
extensive curriculum of any high school, public or private, in
Northwest Alabama. Students may choose from among 16 Advanced
Placement (AP) courses, 14 College-Bound courses and five
Honors/AP Prep courses in the areas of science, mathematics,
English, foreign languages and social studies. Students may also
choose from among 45 Career-Technical courses in 20 different
fields of study. In addition to students’ opportunities to earn
college credit by successful completion of AP courses and AP
examinations on campus, they may also gain college credit via
dual enrollment at the University of North Alabama and
Northwest-Shoals Community College.
Test Comparisons
On the 2007 ACT (American College Test), FHS students’
average composite score exceeded the state average composite
score by 2.2 and the national average composite score by 1.0
(Florence 22.2, State 20.0, Nation 21.2). On the 2007 SAT, FHS
students’ average scores were 593 (reading), 625 (math), and 611
(writing). Florence students also outperformed their
counterparts throughout the state and nation on each of the ACT
and SAT subject area tests, which is consistent with a five-year
trend.
Post High School Placements for the Class of 2007
Seventy-two percent of the FHS 2007 graduates enrolled
in four-year colleges and universities; 23% enrolled in two-year
schools and colleges; and 5% entered the work force or military.
The 2007 FHS graduating class received scholarship offers
totaling more than $6.5 million.
Mission Statement
FHS abides by the mission of the Florence City School
System, which is to set high expectations and to provide equal
access to education for its diverse learners in a safe, orderly
environment that is intellectually challenging, and physically,
emotionally and socially stimulating, thereby developing
healthy, productive citizens competent in academic and life
skills, accepting of themselves and others, environmentally
aware, technically literate, and capable of lifelong learning.
Graduation Requirements
To receive a diploma, FHS students must successfully
complete the Alabama High School Graduation Examination and earn
24 Carnegie units of study, which are the standards set by the
Alabama Department of Education.
The 24 units required for the Academic Diploma (Alabama
High School Diploma) must consist of the following:
• Four credits of English language arts to include the
equivalent of English 9, English 10, English 11 and English
12;
• Four credits of mathematics to include the
equivalent of Algebra I, geometry, and two mathematics
electives;
• Four credits of science to include the equivalent of
biology, a physical science and two additional life and/or
physical science credits;
• Four credits of social studies to include the
equivalent of World History since 1500, U.S. History to 1877,
U.S. History since 1877, government (half credit) and economics
(half credit);
• One credit of physical education;
• One-half credit of health education;
• One-half credit of fine art;
• One-half credit of computer applications; and
• Six elective credits.
The 24 units required for the Advanced
Diploma (Alabama High School Diploma with Advanced Academic
Endorsement) are similar to those required for the Academic
Diploma, except students must earn at least two credits of
foreign language, one credit in Algebra II with Trigonometry and
four elective credits.
Grading Systems
The grading system at FHS is based on a percent scale as
follows: 90-100 (A), 80-89 (B), 70-79 (C), 60-69 (D), 0-59 (F),
and Incomplete (I).
Students must maintain an average grade of 60 or above in a
particular subject to receive a passing grade for that subject.
In order to be listed on the A/B Honor Roll, students must
maintain an average of 80 or above in each subject; 90 or above
in each subject is required for the All-A Honor Roll.
A student’s numerical average at the end of a semester or
at the end of an academic year is the average of grades received
in all subjects in which the student is enrolled. Grades are not
weighted by any method except for class ranking purposes. In
regard to class ranking, grades are weighted for only Advanced
Placement (AP) courses according to the following formula:
Numerical grade + 10% = Grade used for ranking
To accommodate colleges and universities whose scholarship
guidelines require a standard GPA (Grade Point Average) instead
of a numeric GPA, the transcript of any student applying for
such a scholarship reflects a weighted standard GPA (i.e., a
passing grade in an AP course receives a weight of 1). This GPA
is not used for class ranking purposes.
