wortham parent
faqs

School hours are 8:25am–3:50pm, with doors opening at 7:45am. Students have 8 class periods a day, plus an Advisory period at the end of the day for goal-setting, coursework, social-emotional learning, and House Team Time. Fifth graders have a scheduled recess period; 6th graders do not. Lunch is assigned by groups of teachers rather than by grade level, so which classmates your student eats with can shift depending on their schedule.

How is Wortham different from elementary school?

Instead of one homeroom teacher, students move to a different classroom for every subject — closer to a middle school model, with fifth grade built as an intentional "soft opening" before secondary school. Canvas replaces Google Classroom as the main hub for coursework (6th graders also receive a school email account). Grades are reported by TEKS standard rather than a single blended grade, and students are allowed to reassess.

What technology will my student use?

Every student is issued a Chromebook that goes home nightly and needs to be charged and brought back each day. Personal cell phones and smart watches must be powered off and stored in the backpack for the entire school day — if you need to reach your student, email their school account instead of calling or texting. Grades, attendance, and communication with teachers happen through Home Access Center (HAC), which parents access by setting up a Guardian Gateway account.

How does homework work?

The school's goal is for all coursework to be completed in class each day. What comes home is typically unfinished classwork rather than newly assigned homework.

What if my student needs extra help?

Tutorials are offered daily by subject, and a student isn't limited to their own teacher — they can attend any teacher's tutorial for that subject. Tutorial schedules are posted on each teacher's Canvas page.

Who do I contact for counseling or support?

Wortham has a dedicated 5th grade counselor and 6th grade counselor. Students can request an appointment via QR code posters around campus or through the Wortham counseling site. Bullying or harassment should be reported to an administrator or counselor, or anonymously through the StopIt app.

How do I get in touch with the school nurse?

You can visit the Nurse's website here to get more information.

What should I know about the front office?

Replacing a lost student ID costs $5 through the front office. Lost & Found is located in the cafeteria beneath the grand staircase. To check a student out early, a parent, guardian, or listed emergency contact must come to the front office in person with ID. Visit our Front Office page to learn more.

TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE SCHOOL LIBRARY.

The librarian maintains a website that helps you learn more. Visit the Library website here.

How can I best support my student?

• Set up Guardian Access to Frisco ISD Portal early in the year

• Watch the Canvas tutorial to learn how to use the system to check grades, attendance, etc.

• Inside the Portal, check Canvas weekly — spirit week and event announcements post there too, not just assignments

• Check HAC periodically for grades

• Confirm your student's bus route and stop before the first day

• Review the testing calendar on Canvas before booking doctor's appointments

• Make sure the Chromebook is charged and packed each night

Where can I find official school policies?

Dress code, bus eligibility, and free/reduced meal applications are all managed district-wide — see the Frisco ISD Wortham Intermediate page for the complete New Student Packet and current policies.

Curious about Wortham's House System, mentioned above? See our House System page. 

Ready to get involved as a parent? See Get Involved.

What time does school start and end?

Doors open at 7:45am; school runs 8:25am–3:50pm, Monday through Friday.

Do students stay in the same house both years?

Yes. Houses are assigned at random during Camp Wortham and stay the same through 5th and 6th grade. Learn more on our House System page.

How many classes does my student have each day?

Eight periods, plus an Advisory period at the end of the day. Fifth graders also have a scheduled recess period; 6th graders do not.

Can I still eat lunch with my child at school?

No. Unlike elementary school, Wortham doesn't offer parent lunch visits, largely due to cafeteria capacity — each lunch period serves a large share of the student body at once.

Is homework required?

The school's goal is for coursework to be completed in class. Homework is typically unfinished classwork rather than newly assigned work.

What if my child needs extra help in a class?

Tutorials are offered daily by subject, and students can attend any teacher's tutorial for that subject — not just their own teacher's. Tutorial schedules are posted on Canvas.

How do I check my child's grades?

Through Home Access Center (HAC). Parents set this up through a Guardian Gateway account — see the Life at Wortham: A Parent's Guide page for details.

Can my student use a cell phone at school?

No. By state law, phones must be powered off and stored in the backpack during the school day. If you need to reach your student, email their school account rather than calling or texting.

What do I do if my student loses their ID or an item on campus?

ID replacement is available at a cost, through the front office. Lost & Found is located in the cafeteria beneath the grand staircase.

Where can I find more official school information?

Visit the school's Frisco ISD Wortham Intermediate page or the Wortham Counseling site for dress code, transportation, meal benefits, and the complete New Student Packet.