Frequently Asked Questions

Waxahachie High School

• What if I took a course for high school credit in 8th grade? 

If you received credit for a high school course in 8th grade, you can move on to the following course during your freshman year. For example, a student who received credit for Algebra I in 8th grade can move onto Geometry. Other high school credit courses offered at the 8th grade level include the following: Art I; Principles of Arts, Audio/Visual Technology and Communications; Principles of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources; and Business Information Management I (BIM). 

• What time will I eat lunch? 

Lunch periods are determined by course subject and location on the campus. Students will be assigned a lunch period when they receive their schedule. All lunch periods fall between 11:30am and 1:30pm.

• How do I know who my counselor is?

Visit the Counselor Services page to find your counselor. Christie Noonkester is the counselor at Global High School, and Waxahachie High School students are assigned to counselors by their last name.

• I don’t feel that I have enough information about college or a career, can WISD provide me more information? 

      WHS College and Career Center Website

Global High School

• Do I have to apply to Global? 

Yes, Global High School is the Early College Program here in Waxahachie. Students have to choose to attend.  You will not be zoned to attend Global like you would be to attend WHS. 

• Are there sports at Global? 

Currently, the only sport offered at Global is eSports which is part of the 3D Animation and Video Game Design Program of Study.

• Can I be in the Band at Global? 

Global does not have a Band Program. 

Advanced Academics

• What Advanced Courses​ are available at the high school?

Freshman course options are listed on the Advanced Academics page.  You can learn more about Advanced Academics on the WISD Website.

Athletics

• I’m interested in becoming an athlete in college and need more information.

NCAA - https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/

NAIA - https://play.mynaia.org/

NCJAA - https://www.njcaa.org/landing/index

College/Career/Military Readiness

• What test, ACT or SAT, is the best to take? What’s the major difference?

The SAT and ACT generally cover the same topics. Both ACT and SAT scores are used for college admissions decisions and awarding merit-based scholarships. Most colleges do not prefer one test over the other. Neither the SAT or ACT is harder than the other. Different students tend to do better on one test over the other.  One major difference is that ACT offers one science section testing your critical thinking skills (not your specific science knowledge) and SAT does not.

• Is there a test for military careers?

Yes, the ASVAB helps determine whether you are a good fit to join the service, but also which service branch you might be best for and even what military jobs you can hold after you finish basic training or boot camp. The better your ASVAB score, the broader your options.

• How many different jobs will I possibly have before I retire?

On average you will have 6-10 different jobs before retiring.

• What are all of my career options after graduation?

Check out the WHS College and Career Center Website.

Career and Technical Education (CTE)

• What is a CTE Program of Study? 

A program of study is a sequence of courses that prepare students with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in their chosen career. These sequences embed relevant, real-world experiences and culminate in a postsecondary credential. CTE programs are offered at both Waxahachie High School and Waxahachie Global High School.

• Can I choose more than one CTE Program of Study?

Yes, you can choose more than one CTE Program of Study while you are in high school. It’s all about making sure your courses fit within your four-year plan. Check out the CTE Student Planning Guide for more information about the programs you would like to join.

• Do I have to apply to be in a CTE program?

No, you do not have to apply to be in a program of study. All CTE programs are open to all students. Some programs will require a background check or other requirements as you enter the licensure or certification process your senior year.

• Can I have an animal project with FFA? 

You can show an animal through FFA as long as you are enrolled in a course within the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources career cluster. At WHS, these courses fall within the following programs of study: Agribusiness, Agricultural Structures and Design, Animal Science, and Plant Science. 

Fine Arts

• What Fine Arts Programs can I choose from in High School?

At Waxahachie High School, you can choose from Visual Arts, Band, Choir, Dance/Drill Team, Theatre Arts, and Technical Theatre. At Global High School, you can choose to participate in Theatre Arts or Dual Credit Art Appreciation.

• Is there a Fine Arts Endorsement for me to choose?

Yes, you may select the Arts & Humanities Endorsement which requires you to take either four years of a fine arts program (art, band, choir, theatre, dance) OR two years of each in the same program - [Ex.] Two years art + two years theatre arts.

• I’ve been in an advanced fine arts class in 8th grade, can I be in an advanced level fine art in 9th grade?  

Our 9th graders are typically enrolled in first-year level in fine arts, but all 9th grade students may audition for courses at the director’s discretion based on availability and enrollment limitations..

• Who do I contact to audition for advanced-level classes/ensembles in my program of fine arts (art, band, choir, dance, theatre)?

You would contact the high school head director of that program.  Those directors and their information can be found at the WHS Faculty Directory here.

• Can I participate in both fine arts *and* athletics or CTE during my high school career?

Yes, but we are very clear in letting students and parents know that the decision to participate in both programs will require some careful planning and decision-making in the process.  You can absolutely schedule to do multiple programs - but the events from those programs often overlap - so be prepared for careful scheduling and time commitments for both programs.

Special Education

• Can a student that receives special education services earn an endorsement? 

Yes. Beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, a student that has completed the required courses and credits on the Foundation High School Program, including additional credits in math, science, electives, and the courses required for the endorsement with or without modifications* to the curriculum, is eligible to earn an endorsement.  (TEC 28.025 (c-7))

• Can students with modified content attend a four-year college?

Yes, your student can attend a four-year college.  There is no information regarding modified curriculum on a student’s transcript.