Monday, September 8: McNeil High School Open House

Dear McNeil High School Community,
We would like to invite all Parents, and Guardians to join us on Monday, September 8th, for an evening of connection and engagement at McNeil High School.
Schedule of Events:
6:00–6:15 PM: Cafeteria - Welcome Presentation
6:15–8:00 PM: Entire Campus - Meet the Teacher for Parents/Guardians

Please note: To ensure ample time for all families to meet their students' teachers and to maintain confidentiality, this will be a meet-and-greet style event. If you would like to discuss your student’s academic performance or specific concerns, we encourage you to schedule a separate conference with the teacher.
We look forward to seeing you Monday evening!

Homecoming, 2025 -- DRESS UP WEEK is HERE!

Hey Mavs!! McNeil Homecoming is HERE! We will have dress up days Monday, 9/8 - Friday, 9/12. Here is some more info: ~ALL student outfits must adhere to dress code~ class colors: seniors-white🤍, juniors-black🖤, sophomores-navy💙, freshman-green💚~ Show Mav spirit by wearing MAVulous colors and showcasing your amazing mums!

Follow YOUR McNeil Student Council on Instagram for more information: https://www.instagram.com/mcneilstuco/

Homecoming Dance, Saturday, September 13

PARENTS and FRIENDS... we need your help: Friday, September 12th - September 13th

HOCO Decorating/Dance Help/Clean up ANY amount of time that you can give to help pull off this event would be greatly appreciated. Bring your friends, bring students that need service hours!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409054BA5A92BA4FF2-58343877-homecoming

Homecoming Ticket Information

Tickets go on sale Monday 9/8/25 during lunches - $20 each
Students MUST SHOW their STUDENT ID TO PURCHASE)
Students may print their IDs in the Library BEFORE School or During their assigned lunch
- Students who took ID photos at Colt Camp will have their IDs delivered to them this week
No tickets will be sold at the door no exceptions.

Important Upcoming Dates

Majestics in action at the first football game.

Monday, September 8 - Open House; Begins in the Cafeteria at 6PM, then meet your Maverick's Teachers; ends at 8PM.

Friday, September 12 - HOMECOMING Football Game: McNeil v. Westwood @ Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex; 7PM Kickoff. GO MAVS!

Saturday, September 13 - 2025 Central Texas U.S. Service Academy Forum at Cedar Ridge High School

Saturday, September 13 - McNeil Homecoming Dance! 8-11PM, McNeil Cafeteria sponsored by YOUR MAVulous McNeil PTSA. Are you interested in helping? Contact YOUR PTSA, today: mcneilptsa@gmail.com

Wednesday, September 17 - Choir Fall Concert; 7PM at the Raymond E. Hartfield PAC

Friday, September 19 - End of IPR 1 (6 Weeks UIL Grade Check)

Thursday, September 25 - IPR visible in HAC

Friday, September 26 - Hard copy of Interim Progress Report sent home

Wednesday, October 1 - McNeil Orchestra Fall Concert, 7PM, Hartfield PAC

Thursday, October 2 - FAFSA Family Support Night, 5:30 - 8. p.m. Round Rock ISD Old Hopewell Bldg., 1311 Round Rock, Ave. Make appointment: rrisdschools.org/FAFSA

Friday, October 17 - McNeil Theatre Presents: "The Addams Family Musical", 7:00PM

Wednesday, October 22 - The PSAT for McNeil 10th and 11th graders is scheduled for Wednesday, October 22. Click HERE for more information on the PSAT / NMSQT Exam. Also, see this flyer for an opportunity to to Prepare for the PSAT. More information will be emailed to students and families as we get closer to the PSAT Date.

Community News

Prepare for the PSAT or SAT this Fall...

We have a few opportunities coming up for students who would like to prepare for the PSAT or SAT this fall. I've included links below and attached pdfs with this information as well. Please share this with any students who might be interested and with your counseling staff as well. As a reminder, we have scholarship spaces available for any students who are eligible for free/reduced lunch (application attached). Let me know if you have any questions or scholarship students to nominate.

PSAT/SAT Classes on campus at Westwood HS - Register through RRISD Community Enrichment

One-Day SAT Boot Camp in North Austin on 9/6 - $169 for one fast paced day of prep

One-Day PSAT Boot Camp in Cedar Park on 9/27 - $169 for one fast paced day of prep

Need a job... YMCA is hiring!

The Greater Austin YMCA is hiring, and we’re looking for people who are passionate about youth, community, and making a difference. We’re currently filling key roles such as lifeguards, swim instructors, afterschool counselors, and youth sports referees.

The Greater Austin YMCA is a great place for high school and college students to start their career journey. If they are first-time job seekers, we offer flexible work schedules to accommodate students' class schedule. As a YMCA staff member, students will also have access to a free YMCA membership, as well as other part-time benefits.

If you're ready to be part of a fun, mission-driven team, check out the flyer below and apply today! Visit the Greater Austin YMCA career website HERE. For information on where our YMCA centers are located, visit HERE.

FAFSA Family Support Night

Thursday, October 2, from 5:30 - 8. p.m.

Please join us for this FAFSA information session located in the Old Hopewell Building.

We look forward to helping you complete your FAFSA or TASFA and guiding you through any questions along the way.

Remember, it’s helpful to bring the documents listed below, if applicable to you:

List of colleges and/or universities the student is interested in attending.
Student/Parent Driver’s License number and Social Security number
Student/Parent Alien Registration card, if student is a legal permanent resident
All Student/Parent/Guardian tax return documents for 2023

Please ensure to bring all of the documents listed above to complete your FAFSA application. If you do not have one of these items, our trained experts and volunteers will help you fill out your application and give you a list of next steps.

FAFSA Family Support Night will be in the Round Rock ISD Old Hopewell Bldg., 1311 Round Rock, Ave.

Click here to make appointment: rrisdschools.org/FAFSA

September Library Calendar

9/8 - Open House - Families, Stop by the library from 6:30-8:00 to meet our MAVulous Librarians!

9/11 - Libraries Remember Day

9/12 - Homecoming Mum Hospital - hot glue and glitter available to "save" your Mum!

9/17 - HAPPY Constitution Day!

9/19 - Talk Like a Pirate Day --- RRRR, See you at ye Library, matey!

9/25 - Comic Book Day

9/26 - Readers Cafe -- FIRST MEETING!

9/29 - National Coffee Day

News from the McNeil Counseling Department:

Did you know… College Representatives visit McNeil Students regularly? Click HERE to see a calendar with the upcoming list of Colleges coming to the McNeil College & Career Center (in Office Suite 6, located in the back of the Cafeteria) from 11AM - 1 PM, on the date(s) listed below. Maverick students and families that have questions about applying to college should check the McNeil Counseling Department webpage: Applying to College & Career Future Goals and contact Mr. Brandon Tate, McNeil High School Lead Counselor, with any additional questions. GO MAVERICKS! Upcoming Recruiters from Colleges and Universities:

Wednesday, September 10 - Concordia University Texas

Wednesday, September 10 - Rice University

Tuesday, September 16 - University of Arkansas

Friday, September 26 - Indiana University-Bloomington

Monday, September 29 - The University of Alabama

Student Drop Off / Pick Up Traffic Patterns

Maverick Nurses’ Message

Maverick Parents and Guardians, Please be on the lookout for an email from Round Rock ISD concerning parent permission for healthcare services. McNeil Nurses will not be able to assess, screen, or treat any student who do not have this form filled out. This is in response to the passage of Texas Senate Bill 12 (linked here for your convenience).

Please note: the form will need to be filled out on a computer. The form does not work on a phone.

McNeil Fine Arts Spotlight

McNeil Band in Action at a Football Game Halftime

McNeil Band Upcoming Performances

Every Friday Night you can see YOUR MAVtastic McNeil Marching Band in action in the stands and at Halftime of the Varsity Football Games. BUT, did you know, YOUR MAVERICKal MAVs also compete and perform throughout the year? Mark your calendars for these opportunities to see YOUR MAVS in action throughout the Fall... GO MAV BAND and GUARD!

Friday, September 12 at 6:00 PM - Thunder in the Hills Drumline Contest - Dripping Springs Tiger Stadium

Tuesday, September 23 at 7:00 PM - March-A-Thon Celebration and Marching Preview - Maverick Stadium

You can also get MORE information by following YOUR Maverick Band and Colorguard on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mcneilhsband/

Band in Action on Friday Night - Trumpets

McNeil Orchestra Schedule

Maverick Family... MARK YOUR CALENDARS for the FIRST Orchestra Concert of the School Year! Wednesday, October 1 - 7PM at the Raymond E. Hartfield Performing Arts Center...

The Orchestra shows are ALWAYS MAVERICKal; you do not want to miss it!! GO MAVS!

You can also get MORE information by following YOUR Maverick Orchestra on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcneilhsorchestra/

First Choir Performance of the Year!

Mark your calendars for the FIRST performance of the 2025-2026 School Year! YOUR MAVulous Maverick Choir will be singing in their Fall Concert on Wednesday, September 17 in the Raymond E. Hartfield Performing Arts Center located NEXT to McNeil High School (5800 McNeil Drive). You can follow YOUR Maverick Choir on Instagram for ALL of the lastest news and updates on future events. Don't miss this concert... it will be MAVERICKal!

Maverick Sports Center

McNeil Football Poster 34 - Lake Belton 28

This week in Maverick Sports: 9/8 - 9/14

Tennis: Varsity Tennis @ Round Rock, Tuesday, September 9 from 4:30 – 8:30pm

Volleyball: Volleyball @ Westwood Tuesday, September 9 All game times: Flex: 5:30pm, JV: 5:30pm, Freshman: 6:30pm, Varsity: 6:30pm. Friday, September 12 at McNeil High School, Volleyball v Taylor - In order to allow for the Varsity Volleyball Team to attend the Homecoming football game, the game times are "flipped". Varsity: 5:30pm, Flex: 6:30pm, JV: 6:30pm. GO MAVS!

Football: vs Westwood - Thursday, September 11, Freshman Blue - 5:00 PM @ Maverick Stadium, JV - 6:00 PM @ Westwood HS, Freshman Green - 6:30 PM @ Maverick Stadium

Water Polo - McNeil vs. Round Rock, Friday, September 12. YOUR Lady MAVS play at 5:30, followed by your Maverick Boys Water Polo at 6:30 at the Round Rock Aquatics Center.

This Friday, September 12, YOUR McNeil Varsity Football team will play Westwood at the Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex for the 2025 Homecoming Football Game!

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 PM. We encourage you to arrive early to avoid long lines at the entrance.

The gates will open at 6 PM. Football game tickets can be purchased here.

McNeil will be the "HOME" Team. To ensure all Maverick fans are in the right place at the right time to display our support in solidarity and to continue to support our desire for all to have a great, safe experience, we are asking all Maverick fans to enter the stadium through the HOME Ticket Gate (turn RIGHT upon entering the stadium grounds from W. Parmer Lane); once inside the stadium, spectators will not be allowed to traverse to and from the Home and Visitor sides of the stadium. To be clear, Maverick fans should enter the stadium through the HOME Ticket Gate and should remain on the HOME side of the stadium.

Click HERE for an aerial view of Kelly Reeves fan parking, and the location of the Home and Visitor Gates.

As a reminder, RRISD and Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex have a “Clear Bag Policy”.

Click HERE for the RRISD Clear Bag Policy.

On Friday night it’s HOMECOMING for YOUR Lady MAVS Volleyball, too!

Click HERE for tickets to see YOUR Lady MAVS in McNeil v. Taylor at McNeil High School! Game times are Varsity: 5:30 pm, Flex: 5:30 pm, JV: 6:30 pm, and Freshmen: 6:30 pm. GO MAVS!

Athletic tickets for all RRISD high school and middle school athletic events hosted at Round Rock ISD campuses and facilities are sold online. Home and visiting sports fans can purchase their digital tickets online before they arrive or scan the QR code posted at the gate to secure their entry. Purchase tickets below or by downloading the Hometown Ticketing App or CLICK Athletics to PURCHASE TICKETS. Buy your tickets early to save time!

As always, we are looking forward to a great evening of football, volleyball, cheerleading, music (band and choir), dance, and MAVtacular Maverick spirit and support! GO MAVS!

Kevin Garcia and Justine Pederson medaled over the weekend at the Cedar Park Cross Country Invitational Meet

On Saturday, YOUR Maverick Cross Country Ran at the Cedar Park Invitational.

Varsity Boys won 3rd of 14 teams. Kevin Garcia medaled in 10th place overall.

Varsity Girls won 6th of 14 Teams. Justine Peterson medaled in 3rd place overall.

JV Boys placed 7th of 24 Teams.

McNeil Tennis in New York for the US Open

Members of the Maverick Tennis Team traveled to New York Saturday, September 30th to Tuesday September 2nd, to watch the U.S. Open Tennis Championships. YOUR Mavs are back in action this Tuesday against Round Rock at RRHS. GO MAVS!

Maverick Athletic celebrations will be added weekly!

Homecoming Football Game Festivities

2025 McNeil High School Homecoming Tunnel Stampede

CALLING ALL FUTURE MAVERICKS, Kindergarten - 8th Grade... tell your friends, families, and neighbors... ALL are invited to Show Your School Spirit & Join the McNeil Mavericks!

Homecoming Football Game: YOUR McNeil Mavericks vs Round Rock

Friday, September 12, 2025

Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex

6:00 PM - Participant Arrival

6:40 PM - Tunnel Stampede

Students who will be attending McNeil High School are invited to compete in the pre-game Homecoming Tunnel Stampede. Immediately following the Stampede, the 2025 Homecoming Tunnel Stampede trophy will be presented to the school with the most students registered!

For online registration go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-mcneil-homecoming-tunnel-stampede-tickets-1658508476499?aff=oddtdtcreator

(McNeil Homecoming Tunnel Stampede) - Registration closes Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025

Joe Lee Johnson Elementary School Tailgate Flyer

Joe Lee Johnson Elementary School Tailgate Flyer 2

Yearbook, Senior Portraits & Picture Day Info!

2026 Yearbooks are now on sale!

You can purchase your yearbook and senior ad through the Jostens website. Last year, we sold out—so the only way to guarantee your copy is to pre-order early. Don’t wait! Prices will increase in October.
Buy the 2026 Yearbook Here!

Click HERE for information on purchasing a YEARBOOK RECOGNITION AD!

Senior Portrait Information!
All seniors must have their portraits taken through CADY Photography to be included in the yearbook. Their studio is located in North Austin and offers a variety of packages. The most affordable option is $10, which includes both the tux/drape and cap and gown photos.

A few weeks after your session, CADY will email or text you to select the photo you'd like featured in the yearbook. No further action is needed after that.

If you need help scheduling your appointment, please stop by room C130.

Support YOUR McNeil Majestics at PTerry's Spirit Night, Monday, September 15!

Majestics Spirit Night at PTerry's - Monday, September 15

Calling FUTURE Maverick Tennis Players...

McNeil Women's Lacrosse Information

ALL Lady Mavericks are interested in playing Lacrosse are invited to attend the informational meeting of the RRISD Combined Lacrosse Team at Westwood High School.

GO MAVS!

Notable Documents & Links

RRISD 2025-2026 Calendar

2025-2026 McNeil A/B Day Calendar

2025-2026 McNeil High School Bell Schedule

McNeil High School website

MHS HOMEWORK-FREE WEEKEND Dates

Parking and Traffic Flow Presentation

RRISD 2025 - 2026 Student Handbook

McNeil HS Assessment and Grading Policy (Updated for SY 2025-2026)

RRISD 2026-2027 Calendar (NEXT YEAR)

2025 - 2026 Maverick Fine Arts and Sport Schedules

Here are links to YOUR Maverick Sports Teams’ Game schedules and Fine Arts Schedules.

2025 Maverick Football Schedule

2025 McNeil Volleyball Schedule

Fall 2025 Varsity and JV Tennis Schedule

2025 Cross Country Schedule

2025 McNeil Water Polo Schedule

2025-26 Lady Mav Basketball Schedule

McNeil Boys Basketball Schedule, 25-26

Choir 25-26 Performance Dates

McNeil Orchestra Performance Dates

Schedules will be added as they are made available by the Directors and Coaches.

Homecoming Mums and Garters - Majestics Fundraiser

Need help preparing your MUM… Read below for YOUR Annual McNeil Majestics Mum Fundraiser

YOUR McNeil Homecoming Football Game is Friday, Sep 12, 2025!

Need help preparing your MUM… Click HERE for more information and read below for YOUR Annual McNeil Majestics Mum fundraiser

Did you know… Chrysanthemums, or “MUMS” are a Texas tradition given to your Homecoming date, friends, or even yourself!

Celebrate and wear your mum to class, for the Pep Rally, and during the Homecoming Football Game on Friday, Sep 12, 2025!

The Majestics Dance Team is taking orders Aug 1 - Sep 3, 2025. Order yours today and choose from: Mum Kits, Mini/Spirit Ready-Made Mums for pre-order, Variety of ribbons in MHS school colors, garlands, and trinkets to add for a truly personalized mum.

Maverick Mums are ready-made mums and will be sold at the Open House, limited in quantities and sizes. To PICK UP a kit or some exclusive McNeil ribbons, go to...

McNeil Cafeteria on Thursdays and Fridays, Aug 21 - 22, Aug 28 - 29, Sep 4 - 5

(Majestics Representatives will be on the stage during Lunch time.)

Open House, Sep 8th, 6:00 PM (Majestics Booth)

There are limited quantities. Arrive early before we are sold out!

To order a kit AND mum supplies (trinkets, exclusive MHS ribbons, or garlands), ORDER through the website and pick up...Thursday and Friday, Aug 28 - 29 and/or Sep 4 - 5.

Order by Wednesday, 11:59 PM each week to guarantee pick up on Thursday or Friday of the same week. NOTE: There are limited quantities. Place your order early before kits and mum supplies are sold out!

And THANK YOU MAVFamily FOR SUPPORTING YOUR MAJESTICS FOR THE 2025 - 26 SCHOOL YEAR!

McNeil HS PTSA

Click HERE for important information from YOUR MAVulous McNeil @McNeilHSPTSA. To join the McNeil PTSA visit JoinPTA.org. Additionally you can visit www.mcneilptsa.com to buy McNeil Spirit Wear (on the Store Tab) and sign up to receive weekly emails about future McNeil activities and special events. MHS PTSA weekly updates are sent on Sundays

McNeil HS PTSA Store

Visit www.mcneilptsa.com to buy McNeil Spirit Wear (click on the Store Tab).

2025 Central Texas U.S. Service Academy Forum

Saturday, September 13, 2025 at Cedar Ridge High School

Cedar Ridge High School

Fine Arts Auditorium

2801 Gattis School Rd

Round Rock, TX 78664-3808

FREE. No Reservation Necessary.

This forum is intended for students, parents, and educators and will provide information about the admissions process to ail 5 U.S. Service Academies. The 5 academies include: the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

We encourage you to stay for each portion of the forum. The forum will include:

• Lobby time to meet with both congressional and academy representatives

• A speech from Congressman Sessions

• Academy admissions panel

• Congressional panel

• Parent perspective

• Academy Board perspective

• Cadet/Midshipman perspective

NOW OPEN: Free & reduced school meal application for eligible families. It takes only 5 minutes to apply and your application is completely confidential. For more details and to apply click HERE: https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application

Does your student have an upcoming Driver’s License appointment? If so, YOU WILL need a Verification of Enrollment form. The VOE Request Form and MANY MORE resources are available on our MAV Campus Website and Students Section.

Click HERE for the McNeil HS Transcript Request Form.

Each week we send out this newsletter to CELEBRATE OUR Mavericks and share important information about upcoming events. If you see something missing from a MavMail, reach out to the sponsor of the team, club, or event and ask them to have it added to the next MavMail.

You'll find more MAVtacular Events on our Community Calendar and the MHS IB Corner Newsletter:

McNeil High School Community Calendar

MHS IB Corner Newsletter

The latest edition of MavMail will be emailed and posted on most Sundays at 5PM.

Due to the School Holiday next week, the Next MavMail will be Monday, September 1.

Do you want more information about McNeil High School?

Website: https://mcneil.roundrockisd.org/
Address: 5720 McNeil Road, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: (512) 464-6300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rrisd.mcneil
Twitter: @MHSmavs

Are you looking for MORE ways to stay informed of ALL the aMAVzing news from McNeil High School?

Follow YOUR MHS Student Council!

Read the OFFICIAL Student Newspaper: The Trailblazer, and visit this site to read our daily student announcements.

Important Information from Previous MavMails...

Click these links for previous editions of MavMail:

September 1, 2025

World Class Mavs are Safe. Respectful. Responsible:

Maverick Student Expectation Presentations Through FLEX

YOUR Maverick Students are participating in informational sessions facilitated by their 1st / 5th period teaches during our FLEX Period. We share this information with Maverick Families for discussions and to ensure the entire Maverick Community is aware of what makes McNeil Students World Class Mavericks -- Safe, Respectful, and Responsible! 2025-2026 McNeil High School FLEX Student Presentation

Additionally, McNeil Administration will be hosting Class Expectation meetings this week on the designated days linked in the information above.

If you have any questions, please reach out to YOUR Maverick's Assistant Principal. Click HERE for the contact information of YOUR McNeil High School Administration Team.

Student Parking Permit Information

Student parking permits need to be purchased and displayed in vehicles by Friday, August 22. Enforcement of violations begin August 25, 2025.
Parking Permit Sales occur throughout the school year. There are still Reserved Senior spots available for purchase.
Please fill out the parking permit application linked below and then complete the purchase of your permit. Parking permits can be purchased, if not online, and picked up in Suite 4 (Room B110).

Additional information is included in the links below.

25-26 McNeil HS Parking Permit Application Form

Parent / Student Driver Informational Letter

Student Parking Map

* ALL Students MUST purchase a Parking Permit before they can park on McNeil Campus.

* ONLY SENIORS are allowed to leave campus during the school day and only at their assigned lunch time.

* Parking permits are $25.00 for the entire year, payable in exact change cash, by check, or the eStore after the form is completed.

* Senior ONLY Reserved Parking for Project Graduation is sold separately at an additional cost of $100 payable to the McNeil PTSA. These permits are limited to the first 200 students with a complete and valid application.

* ALL Students must have a valid Driver's License at the time of purchase to receive their parking permit. A Learner's License will not be accepted.

* ALL Students must be listed as a driver or additional driver on the car insurance and it must have a valid date.

Traffic at McNeil High School

The MOST important thing we do at McNeil High School is ensure our students are safe. This includes before and after school, during student arrival and dismissal. So, how do we ensure 2,800 people are safe as they ALL try to leave the same place at the exact same time? It takes YOUR HELP!

If you have not done so already, please view this screencastify video for updated "Traffic and Parking Instructions" or this Google Presentation. Watching and following the directions in this video will ensure our students are safe and will also save you time.

NOTE: DO NOT PARK at the YMCA before or after school! As we communicated last week via text and email, McNeil High School Administration was advised the YMCA is hiring off-duty police officers to manage their parking lot situation and is also contracting with a tow truck company to begin removing vehicles that do not belong to YMCA members or visitors during the 2025-2026 school year.

PLEASE DO NOT park or drive through the YMCA parking lot during school drop-off or pick-up hours
The YMCA will begin towing non-member vehicles from their lot.

All Maverick students exchanged their current Chromebook for a NEW Chromebook during the First Week of School

If your student did NOT receive a new chromebook please email Richard_Raney@RoundRockISD.org or Jessica_Thailing@RoundRockISD.org.

THANK YOU to our MAVtastic Community for approving the most recent RRISD Bond providing

As a reminder, all Maverick students need to bring their RRISD Chromebook to school every day.

Mark your Calendars...

Class of 2026 Graduation, Friday, May 22, 2026 at 2PM

Updates from Round Rock ISD: Cell phone Update From Round Rock ISD -- A new state law requires students to store personal communication devices out of sight from bell to bell. Items that must now be stored away all day on Round Rock ISD campuses include:

● Personal cell phones

● Tablets

● Gaming devices

● Smart watches

● Bluetooth headphones or earbuds

● Fitness trackers that can send or receive messages

● Personal (non-district-issued) computers

● Two-way radios

● Pagers

● Any other device capable of digital communication.

Updates from Round Rock ISD: Round Rock ISD Changes Final Exam Requirements

Beginning with the 2025–2026 school year, Round Rock ISD high schools will no longer be required to administer cumulative final exams, implement finals week schedules, or offer final exam exemptions based on attendance. The shift is designed to maximize instruction time, reduce stress, and support authentic learning.

Under the new approach:

● Cumulative final exams will no longer be required, though teachers may still choose to assign them at their discretion.

● Final exam exemptions will be eliminated, meaning all students will participate in end-of-semester learning activities.

● Finals week bell schedules will be discontinued, allowing schools to maintain their regular instructional schedules through the last day of the semester.

“This change aligns with our commitment to student-centered learning and gives teachers the flexibility to assess students in ways that are more aligned to their course objectives,” said Superintendent Hafedh Azaiez.

Instead of traditional finals, students may complete projects, presentations, performance tasks, or quarterly exams—many of which build cumulatively toward semester goals. Written assessments may also be given before the last week of the semester to allow time for grading.

Semester grades will be calculated as an average of the two quarter grades:

● Q1 + Q2 = Semester 1 grade

● Q3 + Q4 = Semester 2 grade

The change does not affect State of Texas End-of-Course (EOC) exams, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or dual-credit college courses, which will continue to follow their respective assessment schedules. The changes are reflected in updates to the Student Handbook (linked) and campus-level procedures.

McNeil High School International Baccalaureate World School

MavMail Sunday, September 7, 2025