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 40,215. Florence High School (FHS) serves as the city’s public high school with an enrollment of approximately 1,050 students in grades 10-12. The Freshman Center serves an additional 365 ninth graders. These figures represent a rich, real-world diversity of students - all races, cultures, religions, ethnic origins and abilities.
Accreditation
We have risen to a new level of success in academics as demonstrated by our rankings by U.S. News and World Report: "America’s Best High Schools" and Newsweek: "Best High Schools". The 2019 Niche National Rating ranked Florence High School as the sixteenth top school in the state of Alabama, and the eleventh most diverse public high school in the state of Alabama. Florence High School is one of eight CLAS Banner Schools for the state of Alabama in 2020.
School Colors and Mascot
The school colors of FHS are royal blue, silver, black and white. The mascot is a falcon.
Faculty
In 2022, including administrators, there are a total of 84 certified staff members at FHS. Of these, 25 held bachelor’s degrees (30%), 43 held master’s degrees (51%), 9 held AA/Ed.S. degrees (11%), and three hold a Ph.D degree (4%). Three faculty members are National Board Certified and one administrator holds a certified instructional leader credential.
Test Comparison
On the 2019 ACT (American College Test), FHS students’ average composite score exceeded the state average composite score by .6 (Florence 19.5, State 18.9). Florence students outperformed their counterparts throughout the state on each of the ACT subject area tests, which is consistent with a twelve-year trend.
Post-High School Placements for the Class of 2015
Of the FHS 2022 graduates, 48% enrolled in four-year colleges and universities; 20% enrolled in two-year schools and colleges; <1% joined the military, and 27% entered the workforce. The 2022 FHS graduating class received scholarship offers totaling more than $6.1 million.
Curriculum
With more than 300 course offerings, FHS provides the most extensive curriculum of any high school, public or private, in Northwest Alabama. Students may choose from among 19 Advanced Placement (AP) courses and eight Honors courses in the areas of science, mathematics, English, foreign languages and social studies. Students may also choose from among 92 Career/Technical Education courses in 13 different fields of study. In addition to opportunities to earn college credit by successful completion of AP courses and AP examinations on campus, students may also gain college credit via dual enrollment at the University of North Alabama, The University of Alabama, and Northwest-Shoals Community College, as well as through selected on-line courses. The Florence Academy of Fine Arts (FAFA) allows students to select from three major divisions of study: Digital Arts, Performing Arts, and Visual Arts. The FAFA curriculum includes 121 course offerings. Florence Virtual High School allows students to complete online courses with highly qualified FHS instructors to accommodate a non-traditional student schedule. There are 40 virtual course offerings for students.
Mission Statement
FHS abides by the mission of the Florence City School System, which is: Empower students to explore, create, challenge, innovate and lead
Graduation Requirements
To receive a diploma, FHS students must successfully 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 & Algebra II, Geometry, and one math elective;
• 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;
• Three elective credits in Career and Technical Education, Foreign Language, and/or Fine Arts; and
• Two and a half additional 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. In regard to class ranking, grades are weighted for Advanced Placement (AP) courses, Dual Enrollment courses, and Honors courses according to the following formula:
