Parent’s Guide to Student Achievement - Franklin County Schools (2024)

The requirements on enrollment in and eligibility to attend a Franklin County School can be located at Board Policy 4120: Domicile or Residence Requirements.

To register your child in Franklin County Schools, please follow this link: FCS Enrollment

The following are statutory school entry requirements, this includes required immunizations:

Admission requirements: GS_115C-364.pdf (ncleg.gov)

• Immunization records: GS_130A-155.pdf (ncleg.gov)

• Immunization requirements: GS_130A-152.pdf (ncleg.gov) (*this law was amended but is not reflected on the current GA page; see SL2023-134.pdf (ncleg.gov), Section 5.8(e) on page 64”)

Per FCS Policy Code 4110, Immunization and Health Requirements for School Admission, all students must submit a complete, age-appropriate vaccination record upon school entry. NC law allows a 30 day grace period for submission of these records and principals are required to exclude students not in compliance with this requirement within 30 calendar days of the student’s first day of attendance.

In addition, NC law requires that all students entering a NC public school for the first time receive a health assessment. Health assessments should be documented on this NC Health Assessment form and the form should be submitted upon enrollment. The health assessment must be completed within 12 months of the first day of school entry. NC law allows a 30 day grace period for submission of these records and principals are required to exclude students not in compliance with this requirement within 30 calendar days of the student’s first day of attendance.

Additional information regarding school requirements for each grade level can be found here:

• Health Requirements for Elementary School Entry
• Health Requirements for Middle School Entry
• Health Requirements for High School Entry

In North Carolina, all schools use the same Standard Course of Study, determined by the State Board of Education. These standards are the knowledge and skills students should understand by the end of each grade/course.

The standards can be found on the NCDPI Office of Academic Standards website. There are standards for:

• Arts Education,

• Career Technical Education,

• Computer Science,

• English Language Arts,

• English Language Development,

• Student Success Standards,

• Healthful Living,

• Information and Technology,

• Mathematics,

• Science,

• Social Studies, and

• World Language.

Local districts, schools and teachers determine how to teach these standards, including curriculum, supplementary materials, books, etc.

In Franklin County Schools, the following policies provide guidance on a parent’s right to review instructional materials: Board Policy 3200, Selection of Instructional Materials and Board Policy 3210, Parent Inspection of and Objection to Instructional Materials. Parents have the right to inspect instructional materials that will be used as part of the student’s educational curriculum. In addition, all materials used in reproductive health and safety education will be available for review as provided in Board Policy 3540, Comprehensive Health Education Program.

Each district must also have a Literacy Intervention Plan (LIP). The plan must include Reading Camps as an extension of what occurs during the school year.

Parents may view FCS: Literacy Intervention Plan (LIP): 23-24.

Franklin County Schools also offers courses in the area of Career and Technical Education (CTE). These courses allow students to explore careers and earn credentials. CTE Career Clusters, Pathways, Course Information, Credentials, and Course Standards may be found at this link: Course Management System

Parents may look up your child’s teacher licensure status at this website Link to the licensure website.

(Please note that there may be a delay in the processing of some licenses through the Department of Public Instruction. Should you have questions, please reach out to the Human Resources Department at 919.496.2600.)

The licensure look up webpage does not include current employment information. Parents may need additional information (i.e., middle name or license number) to identify the teacher accurately. Substitute teachers (either short or long term) may not hold a NC teaching license.

Please contact Franklin County Schools’ Human Resources office to verify an educator’s licensure status.

Information about the Franklin County Schools’ promotion and retention procedures is available in Board Policy 3420. Information about the Board’s graduation requirements is available in Board Policy 3460.

The following are the relevant State and local requirements for a child to be promoted to the next grade level. The relevant part of this link is found in Part 1A (pp. 15-28) regarding retention, promotion, alternatives to show reading proficiency, etc.: Grade Level Promotion

Franklin County Schools has promotion standards and a process for determining a student’s readiness to progress to the next level of study. The standards and process provide multiple criteria for assessing a students’ readiness to progress to the next level of study to include standardized test scores, formative and summative assessment results, grades, and a portfolio of student work. The standards and process incorporate all state law and State Board of Education policy, including those relevant to third grade students under the Read to Achieve legislation. To receive a high school diploma, students must meet all requirements as outlined in policy 3460, Graduation Requirements.

High School Credits and Grade Levels

1. In order to be promoted from 9th to 10th grade, a student must earn six (6) credits during the 9th grade.

2. In order to be promoted from the 10th to the 11th grade, a student must have earned a cumulative total of 13 credits.

3. In order to be promoted from the 11th to 12th grade, a student must have earned a cumulative total of 18 credits.

4. High school credits earned in middle school do not count towards credits that must be earned each year in order to be promoted to the next grade. However, credits earned in middle school do count towards the total number of credits necessary to satisfy graduation requirements.

5. In accordance with G.S.115C-288, the principal has the authority to grade and classify pupils, except as outlined in G.S.115C-83.7(a).

Engaging with your child about school and what they are learning is pivotal to their learning process.

• Ask questions daily about your child’s school day.

• Inquire about topics and assignments they are learning.

• Connect with teachers to understand your child’s progress.

• Ask the teachers how you can help your child learn.

• Attend different events at your child’s school to stay connected and learn how to support them.

Parent Guides for Academic Standards:

The following grade level guides contain information to support parents and caregivers with understanding the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. The purpose of these guides is to inform parents about the standards, as well as provide useful strategies to incorporate at home.

ELA Parent Guides

ELD Parent Guide

Math Parent Guides: K-5, 6-8

Social Studies Parent Guides (coming soon)

Science Parent Guide (coming soon)

Reading and Literacy Support:

This following site provides resources for families to practice and reinforce important literacy skills with their children who are being assessed with mCLASS reading assessments: Amplify Parent Resources

Home activities, printables, and games to support reading and literacy are also available at North Carolina’s Digital Children’s Reading Initiative (DCRI). These activities include the following topics, Pre-K-Grade 5:

(1) Phonemic awareness

(2) Phonics

(3) Vocabulary

(4) Fluency

(5) Comprehension

(6) Oral language

Printable activities will be made available for students who do not have digital access at home and may be provided to all students as a supplement to digital resources. For paper copies, please contact Shavone Wilkins, shavonewilkins@fcschools.net. or Tomekca Sidberry, tomekcasidberry@fcschools.net

DCRI Printables for Families

Franklin County Schools embeds Portrait of a Graduate skills in the classroom and school setting. These durable skills were developed by NCDPI and will support a child’s understanding of citizenship, social skills and respect for others.

Grade level specific resources, including developmentally appropriate milestones can be found in the following resource repository

NC Portrait of a Graduate - Durable Skills.

Parents/Guardians can contact Franklin County Schools at (919) 496-2600 or by visiting the FCS Directory and School Websites.

Franklin County Schools uses the following platforms for communication between home/school

• Finalsite Communication

Parents can view students’ grades on the FCS District App and/or in the PowerSchool parent portal.

• Parent Access to District App

• Parent access to PowerSchool parent portal

Information regarding the appropriate use of technology platforms can be located at the following: Board Policy 3225: Responsible Technology Use

Franklin County Schools has developed a policy that encourages effective communication between schools and parents. Board Policy 1310/4002 Parental Involvement

The following are NCDPI developed parent guides that provide suggestions for building strong relationships with your child’s teacher and supporting communication between home and school.

Building Strong Relationships with Your Child’s Teacher (NC Rethink Education Program)

How You Can Use Questions to Support Your Child’s Learning (NC Rethink Education Program)

Additional general parent guides and parent resource webinar recordings can be found at the following website.

Tutoring:NCVPS EdVantage Tutoring offers virtual statewide wraparound support to middle and high school students in NC public schools. Tutoring is available in Math, Science and ELA, and is offered via a personalized partnership with district/school leadership to best meet the needs of selected students each semester.

Literacy Services:The Franklin County Libraries offer a variety of services for parents and their children to support literacy for Early Childhood, Kindergarten Readiness, and activities for school age children.

After-School Programs:The Boys & Girls Club of Louisburg offers an after-school program and hosts a camp during the summer.

College Planning:College advisors are located at all three traditional Franklin County high schools (BHS, FHS, and LMHS) to offer students the opportunity to plan their college path.

Franklin County Schools partners with Xello, a digital platform designed to help students discover their career interests and set personal and academic goals.

Academic Advisem*nt: School counselors provide assistance and support to students in three main areas: academic, career, and personal/social.

Franklin County Schools has developed a policy that encourages effective communication between schools and parents. Board Policy 1310/4002 Parental Involvement

Opportunities for Parental Participation:

During Fall of 2023, Franklin County Schools began hosting Semi-Annual Parent Summits. The Parent Summits seek to expand and strengthen support for parental engagement, as well as providing targeted resources and guidance to established parent organizations and parent advocates. Parents collaborate with school teams and network with other parents on multiple school levels.

School Advisory Council:

Parents in Franklin County schools have the opportunity to represent their school on our District Parent Advisory Council. Each school principal appoints two parents to represent their school.

Volunteer Programs:

The Franklin CARES (Community Advancing Reading in Elementary Schools) program provides volunteer opportunities for parents and our community.

Franklin County Schools offers a variety of options for students to pursue their interests, skills at their academic level.

Career and Technical Education (CTE):NC has made a significant investment in developing students and programs to meet the needs of the future workforce. Through Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, Public Schools offer opportunities for students to develop career awareness in 5th grade, explore careers in grades 6-8, and experience leadership, career development, and career-aligned content in grades 9-12.

In Franklin County, students are able to explore these career pathways from grades 6-8:Career Pathways

In Franklin County Schools, students are able to experience leadership, career development, and career-aligned content from grades 9-12:High School Career Pathways

For more information on CTE in NC, and to learn about Career Clusters, Pathways, and Course Information, Standards, and applicable Credentials please visit: Course Management System.

In our district, there are the following programs available that are more rigorous and challenging than the standard content for students:

Academically and/or Intellectually Gifted (AIG):In NC, school districts must identify and serve academically or intellectually gifted (AIG) K-12 students. These are students who are performing, or have the potential of performing, at high levels of accomplishment in intellectual and/or specific academic areas, such as reading and/or math when compared with other students of their age, or in their grade level, experience, or environment.

The Franklin County School’s Local AIG Plan outlines specific opportunities for differentiated, rigorous instruction and accelerated programs. You can find the plan at 2022-2025 FCS AIG Plan. Should you have any questions, please contact Dr. Lela Nichols, Chief of Academics at lelanichols@fcschools.net.
Franklin County Schools has developed a learning library on the district website with resources for parents. The Learning Library can be accessed here.

In Franklin County Schools, students are often provided the following services:

• Differentiated curriculum and instruction with flexible student groups;
• Accelerated opportunities (subject and/or grade acceleration, credit by demonstrated mastery (CDM), AP/IB/CIE courses, dual enrollment courses;
• Enrichment experiences, which may be during the school day or beyond, and may be within the regular calendar year or may include summer opportunities; and
• Other opportunities for extension of content standard.

Services for AIG students may be provided by AIG personnel or within the regular classroom by teachers trained to meet the needs of gifted students.

Contact the district/school AIG Coordinator with questions Dr. Lela Nichols, Chief of Academics.

Honors Level Courses:In Franklin County Schools, students have access to a variety of honors level courses in high school. Contact your child’s school for a complete list of honors course offerings.Honors level courses typically have a faster pace than standard level courses. They offer additional rigor, complexity and creativity than standard level courses.

Career and College Promise (CCP):Franklin County Schools partners with Vance-Granville Community College to offer dual enrollment opportunities through the CCP program. If your high school student qualifies, students may earn high school credit by completing community college coursework.

CCP courses may be taken in the College Transfer or Career and Technical Education pathway. These courses count for both high school and college credit. Tuition is free for families.To learn more about this program, contact your student’s school counselor.

Additional information is available on the NCDPI CCP website.

CIHS/Early College:Franklin County Schools also partners with Vance-Granville Community College to offer Franklin County Early College High School. FC Early College High School is a choice school for students and families. It is an opportunity for the students to earn both a high school diploma and an associate’s degree and/or CTE credentials at the same time. Students can stay for an additional fifth year to complete their credential before graduating from high school.

Visit FC Early College High School’s website for more information.

Additional information is available on the NCDPI CIHS Website

Advanced Placement (AP) Courses:Advanced Placement (AP) is a program developed by the College Board to offer college-level curricula and examinations to high school students.In NC, 40 Advanced Placement courses are offered in public high schools. Franklin County Schools offers many AP courses at our traditional high schools (BHS, FHS, LMHS).

• Several AP courses satisfy graduation requirements for NC students as outlined in State Board policy.
• AP exams are free for NC public high school students enrolled in these courses.
• Colleges and universities may likely offer college credit for these courses if your child scores a 3 or above on the exam. All of the colleges in the UNC System offer credit.

To learn more about this program contact Dr. Lela Nichols, lelanichols@fcschools.net, at the District Office.

More information is available on the NCDPI AP website.

Accelerated Access

Accelerated Graduation Course of Study

North Carolina House Bill 259 requires local school district to provide students with an option of an accelerated pathway to graduation. This option will allow students to graduate in three years instead of the typical four year high school plan. More information about the Accelerated Graduation course of study is available on the FCS website.

NCVPS:North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS) is NC’s state supplemental program and leader in online education, providing inclusive learning opportunities for students across the state. Founded in 2007, with a strong commitment to ensuring quality education for all students, regardless of location, NCVPS has over 16 years of experience serving diverse learners. Students may enroll in NCVPS courses for a variety of reasons. Work with your school counselor if you are interested in taking an NCVPS courses.

Credit by Demonstrated Mastery (CDM): Franklin County Schools offers opportunities for students to earn credit for a high schoolcourse without enrolling in the course. All high school courses, with a few exceptions as noted by the state, are available for students to try to CDM. There are two phases of assessments that a student must go through to earn credit for the course.

Contact your school counselor if you are interested in CDM.

Governor’s School: Each summer, NC Governor’s School offers a unique opportunity for high-achieving rising juniors and seniors to learn with their peers from across the state in an 4-week residential program at two college campus sites.

For more information on eligibility and the application process, contact your school counselor or visit the Governor's School website, www.ncgovschool.org.

Students in public school districts are assigned to certain schools based on a local assignment plan approved by Local Board of Education.

Franklin County Schools offers these additional school choice options for students/families:

• Louisburg Magnet High School-STEM program (jasminemanley@fcschools.net)

• Franklin County Early College (laurawilson@fcschools.net)

• Royal Elementary School-Dual Language/Spanish Immersion (davidwestbrook@fcschools.net)

There are other options for families to choose for their education:

Charter Schools: Charter schools are public schools of choice that are authorized by the State Board of Education and operated by independent non-profit boards of directors. State and local tax dollars are the primary funding sources for charter schools, which have open enrollment and cannot discriminate in admissions, associate with any religion or religious group, or charge-tuition. Charter schools operate with freedom from many of the regulations that govern district schools, but charter schools are held accountable through the State assessment and accountability system.

If you are interested in NC charter schools, visit NC charter school for information, resources, and contacts.

Nonpublic Education and Scholarship Grants

• Nonpublic education is overseen by the NC Department of Administration.
• For a list of private schools, visit this NC Private Schools.
• For information on how to start a homeschool visit:Homeschool Information
• Scholarship grant programs/voucher information is available via the NC State Education Assistance Authority.

For students suspected of or identified with a disability by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the following links provide important information regarding the procedural safeguards available to ensure a free, appropriate, public education.

Parent Rights Handbook

Parent Rights Handbook (Spanish)

IDEA Dispute Resolution

Special Education Surrogate Parents

Project Child Find

Franklin County Schools actively seeks to locate and evaluate children ages 3-21 who are suspected to have disabilities. If you suspect your child might have a disability, please call: 919.496.2600.

Information about the Franklin County Schools Exceptional Children & Student Services can be accessed here.

Franklin County Schools offers the following information and resources to support your child’s health and wellbeing”

Student Wellness Policy

For additional resources available to support student mental health, please contact your child’s school counselor for more information.

Information regarding student health services can be accessed via the FCS website under “Departments”. This page includes forms specific to the FCS student health program, information regarding the management of common health conditions in the school setting, contact information for school nurses, health services provided and links to external sites for health information including:

• Recommended immunization schedules

• Garrett’s Law

  • Influenza information

  • Meningitis information

Information on required health assessments and immunizations for students are available through the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS)

• Immunizations
• Health Assessment
• Annual Health Assessment and Immunization Compliance Reporting

Parents/Guardians can contact Franklin County Schools at (919) 496-2600 or by visiting the FCS Directory and School Websites.

Contact information for each school can be found here.