Parent FAQs
General Questions:
What is the difference between Illuminate Parent Portal and Infinite Campus?
Illuminate Parent Portal provides parents with the results of state and district assessments (ELPAC, SBAC, and district benchmark assessments). Elementary report cards are also posted on the Illuminate parent portal.
On Infinite Campus parents can view your students schedule, grades, assignment, report cards (Middle/Junior High and High School) and district or school notices.
When is the time frame for the language assessment in the district?
The initial ELPAC test, which identifies students as English Learners (EL) , is administered in the fall.
The summative assessment, which EL students take each year until they are reclassified, is given between February - May. Each school sets their own individual testing window within the district’s window.
Where can I look through school textbooks?
Textbooks are available to preview via appointment at the district office through the Curriculum and Instruction Department. Please visit this page for textbook and literature lists and more information.
What grade do students start to have a GPA?
Students begin to earn credits/GPA that transfer onto their transcript in middle school/junior high school. Only semester grades are included on transcripts.
How can I get my student tested for GATE?
During the 2023-24 school year, 5th graders who were not identified in an earlier grade may be considered for GATE identification through the professional judgement process. Teachers and/or parents may nominate a student. Nominations forms must be submitted by December 15, 2023.
What is the Math Placement process?
For the 2023-24 school year, incoming 7th graders will have the option of choosing their 7th grade math course. In order to choose accelerated Common Core 2/Common Core 3 (CC2/CC3) course, students must have scored at the 6th grade level on the i-Ready which was administered in Fall 2022 (requiring a scale score at or above 495) or Winter 2023 (requiring a scale score at or above 514). Please note, this accelerated Math is not the same as Honors Math.
More information can be found here: 7th Grade Math Placement Process for 2023 - 24
High School Questions:
Service Learning Hours
How do we know if service hours are valid? (ie: volunteer work done at temple, boy scouts, girl scouts, TriCity Band, etc).
It depends on the purpose of the activity, check with the service learning coordinator at your students site. Service hours for a religious organization that benefits the community at large AND does not promote its religion is eligible. (ie: clothing drives, food drives, feeding those in need).
Do service hours completed before 9th grade count?
No, hours cannot be earned until they have attended the first day of freshman year.
How do we get the hours counted?
Hours must be turned into the Service Learning Coordinator using the Service Hours Verification Form/Tracking Sheet. Parents can check service hours on Infinite Campus.
Does school provide service learning hours or is it up to the students?
Generally, it’s up to the students. Schools occasionally have opportunities for students to complete hours on campus after school.
Are there any enlisted or specific organizations the students are expected to do volunteering?
All hours must be completed at a non-profit organization (501c3). Check with the Service Learning Coordinator as they may have a list of organizations looking for volunteers.
Visual Arts and World Languages
If a student took Spanish 1 in Jr. High and then Spanish 2 and 3 in HS, is that sufficient for college admissions? Is the Spanish 1 class accepted as credit for college admissions or graduation?
Yes, the Colleges will grant credits for the HIGHEST LEVEL of world language that a student completes with a grade “C” or above. For example, if I finished Spanish 3 in 10th grade, I would be eligible for college admissions because I reached the third level. If they reached Spanish 3 in 9th grade, that would be acceptable. However, credits earned in Junior High do not count towards the 230 credits needed to graduate.
Can advanced choir taken in 7/8th grade qualify for fine arts in high school?
No, it does not satisfy the fine arts requirement. Credits earned before high school do not count towards graduation.
Apart from English, is the child supposed to compulsorily learn one more foreign language like French or Spanish?
Yes, FUSD requires students to take 1 year of Fine Arts or World Language or Career Technical Education.
Colleges and Universities require 2 years, but recommends 3 years of the same language.
AP Courses
How many maximum AP courses are recommended?
Students should not load up and pad their transcripts to "look good" to colleges. Taking 1 or 2 AP courses and earning strong grades is preferred over taking 4-6 AP courses and performing poorly. Students should take AP classes they are most interested and passionate in and connect their coursework to other areas such as extracurricular activities.
Where can we find the list of AP courses offered by each of the High Schools?
https://fremontusd.com/catalog-images/fusd-hs-catalog.html
How do AP classes affect GPA?
AP courses are given one extra point in the GPA calculation: A=5, B=4, C=3. These "weighted" grades are determined at the UC/CSU admission level. All FUSD high schools have an unweighted GPA and students are not ranked.
Coursework Questions
Are classes offered through Mission Valley ROP free? How do students register?
Classes are free for high school students enrolled in Fremont Unified School District. Students may sign up for ROP classes through their School Counselor or College & Career Specialist at their high school.
Are there any prerequisite courses needed to enroll in ROP?
Students must be in the 11th or 12th grade to take courses at the ROP center. There are also many courses available to all students, on high school campuses. Some courses may require prerequisites. Please CLICK HERE for the ROP website, where you can learn about the courses available at the ROP center, and at each high school, and what the prerequisites there are, if any.
Are there opportunities to earn additional credits outside of school?
Outside courses are for enrichment purposes only and cannot be used to fulfil graduation requirements or to accelerate.
Our son skipped Algebra 1 and is in Geometry. Will he get credit for Algebra 1?
Algebra is an A-G requirement for admission into the CSU or UC system. If your student took Algebra in Junior High, that course will be accepted for admission. If your student did not take Algebra in Junior High or High School, they have not met the A-G requirements.
SATs vs. ACTs Questions
Are the SATs/ACTs required?
The SATs/ACTs are not a requirement to graduate from high school. Many colleges and universities require students to take the SAT or ACT as part of the college admissions process. Also, many colleges and universities do not require and ACT or SAT test as part of the admission process. CLICK HERE for Washington Post article that provides a list of 180 colleges that do not require ACT or SAT.
Are there prep classes for SAT/ACT?
Yes, there are preparation classes for SAT and ACT tests, which are typically available through private companies. Fremont Unified School District does not offer SAT and ACT preparation classes. Khan Academy offers free online educational courses including SAT Prep.