News
![Kid Chefs Wanted: FHSD to host 2nd annual cooking competition for elementary students]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1736555471/fhsdschoolsorg/qt0cth0uhi1p0i17bkj2/KidChefsWantedFHSDtohost2ndannualcookingcompetitionforelementarystudents.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1736555471/fhsdschoolsorg/qt0cth0uhi1p0i17bkj2/KidChefsWantedFHSDtohost2ndannualcookingcompetitionforelementarystudents.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1736555471/fhsdschoolsorg/qt0cth0uhi1p0i17bkj2/KidChefsWantedFHSDtohost2ndannualcookingcompetitionforelementarystudents.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1736555471/fhsdschoolsorg/qt0cth0uhi1p0i17bkj2/KidChefsWantedFHSDtohost2ndannualcookingcompetitionforelementarystudents.png","width":872}])
The Francis Howell School District is gearing up for its second annual Future Chefs National Challenge, sponsored by Sodexo, the District’s food service provider.
![Jana Schultz Independence headshot]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1736364429/fhsdschoolsorg/bum5swrxwbpal5ifhvyy/JanaSchultz1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1736364429/fhsdschoolsorg/bum5swrxwbpal5ifhvyy/JanaSchultz1.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1736364429/fhsdschoolsorg/bum5swrxwbpal5ifhvyy/JanaSchultz1.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1736364429/fhsdschoolsorg/bum5swrxwbpal5ifhvyy/JanaSchultz1.png","width":872}])
The Francis Howell School District has announced that Jana Schultz will serve as the new principal at Independence Elementary School beginning July 1, 2025.
![MSHSAA honors FHC’s Kurt Kruse with Coach of the Year award]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1734648301/fhsdschoolsorg/wnvfjeprjfdfp4ydfgy7/MSHSAA-FHC-Kurt-Kruse-Coach-of-the-Year-award.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1734648301/fhsdschoolsorg/wnvfjeprjfdfp4ydfgy7/MSHSAA-FHC-Kurt-Kruse-Coach-of-the-Year-award.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1734648301/fhsdschoolsorg/wnvfjeprjfdfp4ydfgy7/MSHSAA-FHC-Kurt-Kruse-Coach-of-the-Year-award.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1734648301/fhsdschoolsorg/wnvfjeprjfdfp4ydfgy7/MSHSAA-FHC-Kurt-Kruse-Coach-of-the-Year-award.png","width":872}])
Francis Howell Central’s girls wrestling program made history last season by winning the Class 2 State Championship, and Head Coach Kurt Kruse was honored as the MSHSAA Girls Wrestling Coach of the Year.
![Francis Howell Superintendent accepts new position; Board begins search process]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1734448370/fhsdschoolsorg/ryzbh3bqfipniwyvkwyk/Superintendent-Resignation-Cover-Image-News-Story.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1734448370/fhsdschoolsorg/ryzbh3bqfipniwyvkwyk/Superintendent-Resignation-Cover-Image-News-Story.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1734448370/fhsdschoolsorg/ryzbh3bqfipniwyvkwyk/Superintendent-Resignation-Cover-Image-News-Story.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1734448370/fhsdschoolsorg/ryzbh3bqfipniwyvkwyk/Superintendent-Resignation-Cover-Image-News-Story.png","width":872}])
Francis Howell School District Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Roumpos will resign at the end of the 2024-25 school year to assume the Superintendent position at Kirkwood School District.
![Francis Howell students gain firsthand experience as lawmakers, judges at State Capitol]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1733254618/fhsdschoolsorg/oovfhybndkhxmiaqmdsi/FrancisHowellstudentsgainfirsthandexperienceaslawmakersjudgesatStateCapitol.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1733254618/fhsdschoolsorg/oovfhybndkhxmiaqmdsi/FrancisHowellstudentsgainfirsthandexperienceaslawmakersjudgesatStateCapitol.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1733254618/fhsdschoolsorg/oovfhybndkhxmiaqmdsi/FrancisHowellstudentsgainfirsthandexperienceaslawmakersjudgesatStateCapitol.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1733254618/fhsdschoolsorg/oovfhybndkhxmiaqmdsi/FrancisHowellstudentsgainfirsthandexperienceaslawmakersjudgesatStateCapitol.png","width":872}])
Nearly 60 high school students from three Francis Howell high schools participated in the Missouri Youth and Government (MOYAG) Convention in Jefferson City.
![Graphic from U.S. World News that says "Best Elementary Schools Graphic"]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1733251750/fhsdschoolsorg/frimapwgq37yhgwscsj7/NewsStoryImages872x580-2024-12-03T124907398.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1733251750/fhsdschoolsorg/frimapwgq37yhgwscsj7/NewsStoryImages872x580-2024-12-03T124907398.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1733251750/fhsdschoolsorg/frimapwgq37yhgwscsj7/NewsStoryImages872x580-2024-12-03T124907398.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1733251750/fhsdschoolsorg/frimapwgq37yhgwscsj7/NewsStoryImages872x580-2024-12-03T124907398.png","width":872}])
U.S. News & World Report has named its 2025 Best Elementary and Middle Schools, ranking more than 79,000 public schools nationwide based on data from the U.S. Department of Education.
![Francis Howell alumni advocate for eye health]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1733254281/fhsdschoolsorg/mml0j5q7d4shry1lztl5/FrancisHowellalumniadvocateforeyehealth.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1733254281/fhsdschoolsorg/mml0j5q7d4shry1lztl5/FrancisHowellalumniadvocateforeyehealth.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1733254281/fhsdschoolsorg/mml0j5q7d4shry1lztl5/FrancisHowellalumniadvocateforeyehealth.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1733254281/fhsdschoolsorg/mml0j5q7d4shry1lztl5/FrancisHowellalumniadvocateforeyehealth.png","width":872}])
Three alumni of Francis Howell North (FHN) High School are working to raise awareness about the potential health effects of blue light exposure. Danny Define, Class of 2011, and Brian Bumpus and Matt Meyer, Class of 2010, began their journey together at Henderson Elementary and Hollenbeck Middle School before graduating from FHN.
![District updates 2024-2025 School Year Calendar to meet new state requirements]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1732586517/fhsdschoolsorg/bmbtxfmerzit0co9fgxn/Districtupdates2024-2025SchoolYearCalendartomeetnewstaterequirements.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1732586517/fhsdschoolsorg/bmbtxfmerzit0co9fgxn/Districtupdates2024-2025SchoolYearCalendartomeetnewstaterequirements.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1732586517/fhsdschoolsorg/bmbtxfmerzit0co9fgxn/Districtupdates2024-2025SchoolYearCalendartomeetnewstaterequirements.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1732586517/fhsdschoolsorg/bmbtxfmerzit0co9fgxn/Districtupdates2024-2025SchoolYearCalendartomeetnewstaterequirements.png","width":872}])
The Francis Howell School District Board of Education has approved changes to the 2024-2025 school year calendar, aligning with new requirements under Senate Bill 727.
![FHSD 2030: A new strategic plan]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1732148781/fhsdschoolsorg/h19rqmasuncs88lqnxgl/FHSD2030Anewstrategicplan.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1732148781/fhsdschoolsorg/h19rqmasuncs88lqnxgl/FHSD2030Anewstrategicplan.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1732148781/fhsdschoolsorg/h19rqmasuncs88lqnxgl/FHSD2030Anewstrategicplan.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1732148781/fhsdschoolsorg/h19rqmasuncs88lqnxgl/FHSD2030Anewstrategicplan.png","width":872}])
The Francis Howell School District now has an updated Strategic Plan. This plan, developed by the community and approved Nov. 21, 2024, by the Board of Education, will serve the District through 2030.
![Parents as Teachers Developmental Screener administers a screening]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1732127657/fhsdschoolsorg/cnsx1tif3hzwlxnp9rvp/PAT-Developmental-Screener.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1732127657/fhsdschoolsorg/cnsx1tif3hzwlxnp9rvp/PAT-Developmental-Screener.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1732127657/fhsdschoolsorg/cnsx1tif3hzwlxnp9rvp/PAT-Developmental-Screener.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1732127657/fhsdschoolsorg/cnsx1tif3hzwlxnp9rvp/PAT-Developmental-Screener.png","width":872}])
The Francis Howell School District Parents as Teachers program equips families with the knowledge and tools to support their children’s development and prepare them for success in school.
![Image of two teachers who won the Emerson Award for FHSD in 2024]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1729111784/fhsdschoolsorg/qucxr5ytr3bt219kyhud/EmersonWinners2024.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1729111784/fhsdschoolsorg/qucxr5ytr3bt219kyhud/EmersonWinners2024.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1729111784/fhsdschoolsorg/qucxr5ytr3bt219kyhud/EmersonWinners2024.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1729111784/fhsdschoolsorg/qucxr5ytr3bt219kyhud/EmersonWinners2024.png","width":872}])
Katie Schottmueller and Leif Johnson have been selected as 2024 Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award recipients, joining an elite group of St. Louis-area educators.
![Niche 2025 best schools logo]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1728078772/fhsdschoolsorg/lp7ixmzzdx3xkbcta1yi/NichenamesFHSDbestdistrictinStCharlesCounty.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1728078772/fhsdschoolsorg/lp7ixmzzdx3xkbcta1yi/NichenamesFHSDbestdistrictinStCharlesCounty.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1728078772/fhsdschoolsorg/lp7ixmzzdx3xkbcta1yi/NichenamesFHSDbestdistrictinStCharlesCounty.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1728078772/fhsdschoolsorg/lp7ixmzzdx3xkbcta1yi/NichenamesFHSDbestdistrictinStCharlesCounty.png","width":872}])
The Francis Howell School District is the top-ranked district in St. Charles County and 10th in Missouri, according to Niche’s 2025 Best Districts list. FHSD, in the top 3% of nearly 500 districts, earned an A rating.
![image of anti bullying poster]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1726161833/fhsdschoolsorg/vsi6aizpglttc60bhwyr/bullyingimage.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1726161833/fhsdschoolsorg/vsi6aizpglttc60bhwyr/bullyingimage.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1726161833/fhsdschoolsorg/vsi6aizpglttc60bhwyr/bullyingimage.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1726161833/fhsdschoolsorg/vsi6aizpglttc60bhwyr/bullyingimage.png","width":872}])
The Francis Howell School District has introduced a new anonymous reporting form for bullying, harassment, and safety concerns, accessible via QR code posters in middle and high schools.
![CIOS Group Picture 2024-25]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1725556146/fhsdschoolsorg/ddd3x1kk9gfxxnie4vbw/CIOS-Group-Picture-2024-25-News-Story.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1725556146/fhsdschoolsorg/ddd3x1kk9gfxxnie4vbw/CIOS-Group-Picture-2024-25-News-Story.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1725556146/fhsdschoolsorg/ddd3x1kk9gfxxnie4vbw/CIOS-Group-Picture-2024-25-News-Story.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1725556146/fhsdschoolsorg/ddd3x1kk9gfxxnie4vbw/CIOS-Group-Picture-2024-25-News-Story.png","width":872}])
The Francis Howell School District kicked off its community engagement program last night with a reception for 29 citizens in this year’s Citizens In Our Schools class.
![From left to right: Brian Rich, Daniel Harmon, Elisabeth Baird, Daniel Ott]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1725388387/fhsdschoolsorg/qyidcoruxgmsqnm4kbum/DanielOttElizabethBairdDanielHarmonBrianRich.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1725388387/fhsdschoolsorg/qyidcoruxgmsqnm4kbum/DanielOttElizabethBairdDanielHarmonBrianRich.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1725388387/fhsdschoolsorg/qyidcoruxgmsqnm4kbum/DanielOttElizabethBairdDanielHarmonBrianRich.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1725388387/fhsdschoolsorg/qyidcoruxgmsqnm4kbum/DanielOttElizabethBairdDanielHarmonBrianRich.png","width":872}])
Hollenbeck Middle School's improvement plan, focused on building a welcoming environment with clear expectations, resulted in higher attendance, fewer discipline issues, and a culture shift where students and staff alike are engaged in creating a positive learning environment.