Forsyth County Schools is home to 5 outstanding high schools, featuring grades nine through twelve. The district also provides the Academies of Creative Education (A.C.E.), which features two schools, Forsyth Academy (a charter non-traditional high school)/Academy @ Night (night school) and iAchieve Virtual Academy, FCS' 6-12 school, as well as Gateway Academy (the alternative program for middle and high school students).
All buildings are new or recently renovated, and include a cafeteria, media center, performing arts center, two gymnasiums, weight rooms, and athletic fields/facilities. School designs vary across the county, and include one or two-story buildings.
High schools begin at 8:25 am and students depart at 3:40 pm (12:55 pm for scheduled early release days). Based on primary residency, school attendance lines determine the high school children attend. Out-of-district requests are available for students based on academic program needs.
Fall registration for high school is completed during the preceding spring, at which time all students meet with their advisors to select courses. Parents may view their child’s academic progress daily through ParentPortal and have access to ANGEL for 24/7 online learning. High school students are evaluated using a report card with numeric averages from 0 - 100. Teachers in high school focus their grading practices on assessments aligned with their content standards and valid evaluation protocols. Students in Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) and the ACCEL program (dual enrollment)/post-secondary options can be awarded quality points based on their performance on the advanced rigor.
Students must meet diploma requirements in three areas:
Assessments: students are required to post passing scores on the Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT) and the Georgia High School Writing Test (GHSWT).
Courses: students must complete specific course requirements as outlined by the graduation rule.
Credits: students must earn 23 units as a minimum state requirement for graduation.
Multiple schools offer career academies for students, and workforce development (career/technology) programs are provided for engineering, energy and natural resources; business and communications systems; consumer services; and arts and humanities. Work-based learning and youth apprenticeship experience is also an option for FCS high school students.
High schools provide numerous programs to meet the needs of all students. Programs are offered for students with special needs (includes speech), early intervention, English Language Learners and gifted/Horizons students. Various activities, clubs, organizations and athletics are also offered at each high school. Please visit each school's website for a complete list.
All high school classrooms feature a built-in projector and interactive whiteboard. Computers are available to students in the classroom and media center, and also with portable computer stations. All schools have full-time nurses on staff, as well as counselors and Instructional Technology Specialists (ITS). Each school has numerous volunteer opportunities for parents, including PTA/Os, boosters, Local School Councils (LSC), mentoring and classroom volunteers. Transportation is provided for all students, and breakfast and lunch are served daily.
