Academic Planning

STUDENT/COUNSELOR CONFERENCES: All students meet individually with their counselor each year to discuss grade-level appropriate academic, college/career, and personal/social skill development. Counselors meet individually at the middle school campuses with 8th grade students each Spring to discuss course selection.

PREPARATION: Prior to each grade level's conferences, counselors help prepare students by presenting guided academic planning lessons in student classrooms. This information is also shared out via email with parents/guardians. We also host an academic planning night (Viper Night) each spring, along with informational webinars for families.

NAVIANCE: Naviance is a comprehensive web site that high school students can use to help in making decisions about academic, career and college planning. All Leander ISD students have a Naviance account while enrolled in a Leander ISD high school. Through Naviance, students can create 4-year academic plans, explore career and interest inventories and research college options. Students may also access personal academic information in their Naviance profile (including GPA). Naviance is used in LISD as a student planning tool. 

Naviance Log-in (via Leander Launch Pad) 

COURSE CATALOG: The yearly Leander ISD Course Catalog outlines important information on graduation plans, state requirements, and district offerings. It holds a wealth of resources that can be helpful as students develop their four year plans. 

VHS COURSE SELECTION: Vandegrift High School offers information specific to VHS course selection for each upcoming year. 

Course Selection Timeline for 2026-2027 School Year 

ACCELERATED TIMELINE - Final Deadline: March 12 @ 4p

Vandegrift High School Course Selection Sheets 

• VHS Course Selection Sheet (tab for each grade level) 

Additional Resources 

• LISD Course Catalog

• Leander ISD Career & Technical Experiences

• CTE Programs of Study

• ACC Dual Credit Website // Enrollment Steps

Scheduling Guidelines

The district deadline for making course request changes for the 2025-2026 school year was May 1. Student schedules will not be changed to select different teachers, lunch periods, class periods, or electives. Counselors work with students at the beginning of the year on schedule corrections limited to: a student missing a graduation requirement, students missing course prerequisites, course duplicates, course conflicts, or program dismissal. Refer to the LISD Course Catalog for full details. 

Level Drop Window

Students will have the option to request a move to the on level version of their Advanced/AP course during the level drop window. The level drop window details will be shared with students in families in early September of each school year. Please note: 

• Dropping an AP/Advanced course may result in an unavoidable readjustment of the student's current course schedule including the possibility of teacher, period, and/or lunch changes. Due to the volume of requests counselors are processing, we are unable to meet with students regarding such changes, and we are unable to predict what changes will occur as a result of processing the level drop. By submitting the level drop request, students are acknowledging and agreeing to any such changes. Please know we do our absolute best to disrupt the schedule as little as possible, but sometimes this is unavoidable as we are limited by class section and availability at the time of the change. 

• Once processed, level changes and their associate schedule changes are FINAL.

• The exact grade in the advanced class student is dropping will transfer to the new on-level course.

• AP/Advanced weight is only awarded and calculated into GPA after completion of an entire semester of an AP/Advanced course; therefore, the student will lose this when dropping into the new on-level course.

• Until the schedule change is complete, all coursework for the AP/Advanced class must be completed.

• A student who participates in a UIL activity and is currently failing an advanced class, should consider remaining in the advanced course until the end of the six weeks to be eligible for a AP/Advanced participation waiver.

• Students pursuing the IB Diploma Programme must reach out to Ms. Alexandra Magness, IB Coordinator, or alpha counselor before submitting a level-change request.

High School...already?  It's time for the great adventure!

Early in the second semester, future 9th grade students will receive information about high school and students will begin making high school decisions. No need to panic! As you enter into another new chapter in life, there are many helpful resources available to you. 

• VHS Counseling Services Website: As you navigate through the Vandegrift High School (VHS) Counseling Office website, you will see it is an excellent resource providing information about the course catalog, course selections, graduation requirements, and advanced programs. 

• Middle School Counselors: If you have any questions, the counselors at Canyon Ridge and Four Points Middle Schools will be able to assist you. If needed, your middle school counselor may refer you to the VHS counseling team. 

• VHS Counselors: VHS Counselors will address any future 9th grade questions or concerns via email only. Each counselor is currently supporting the social-emotional, academic planning, and post-secondary readiness needs of 400+ students while also onboarding our 600+ 8th grade students. Unfortunately, our large caseloads prevent us from having individual parent meetings with incoming 8th grade students. Thank you in advance for your patience as it may take some time for us to respond.

Welcome class of 2030!

Save the Dates (tentative, dates and times may change) 

January 13, 2026 5:30p: Parent / Guardian Webinar

January 14 & January 16, 2026: 8th Grade Student Informational Sessions during Social Studies classes (CRMS) & Science (FPMS)

January 15, 2026: Viper Camp @ VHS (during school day) 

January 22, 2026: Viper Night (Elective Fair, Club & Organization Fair, Student Panels, Breakout Sessions) 

• • Students and parents are encouraged to take advantage of this evening to explore and learn more about ALL Vandegrift has to offer! 

January 27-28 (CRMS) // January 29 (FPMS), 2025: Student Meetings w/ VHS Counselors

• • • High School Counselors will meet with 8th grade students individually at their middle school campus to verify their course selections

Please visit the VHS College and Career Website for all information about Dual Credit offerings at VHS.

Advanced Placement Courses Offered at VHS

English: English 3 & English 4

Math: Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Statistics

Science: Biology, Chemistry, Physics 1, Physics C, Environmental Science

Social Studies: Human Geography, World History, US History, US Government, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, European History, Psychology

LOTE: French 4 & Spanish 4 & 5, Chinese 4

Technology Apps: Computer Science Principles. Computer Science A

Fine Arts: Art Drawing, Art 2D, Art 3D, Art History, Music Theory

Check out information about the VHS AP Program from our Advanced Program's Night HERE. 

AP Capstone: Seminar & Research // AP Capstone Diploma Program 

Earning College Credit

Most Colleges and universities offer credit for college level courses depending on the score the student earned on their AP Exam.

Visit the College Board Website to search for institutions to which you plan to attend to find out what credit they will offer.

What is AVID?

Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a college readiness system designed to increase student learning and performance school-wide, through participation and success in rigorous curricula. It promotes higher levels of thinking, preparation for rigorous courses, student ownership of education, and organizational/study skills. 

Contrary to the belief that AVID is for students who "struggle" academically, AVID helps students reach their highest potential and targets those who have the desire to go to college. The AVID method increases enrollment and success in nationally standardized Advanced and AP classes, therefore, improving student application and acceptance rates to four-year colleges. 

Students attend an AVID academic elective course whose teachers are specially trained through AVID‘s professional development and team planning. AVID students also enjoy the benefits of outside enrichment activities.  

Note the student taking the AVID elective at Vandegrift may look different from what is described on the AVID website. Since the goal of AVID is to prepare students for high school and to be college and career ready, our hope is ALL students benefit from the AVID philosophy. We accomplish this task in four ways: 

1. The AVID elective class 

2. Personal adoption of a note-taking system 

3. The AVID binder 

4. Use of the AVID curriculum

AVID in Leander ISD 

Mr. Adrian's Website (AVID Coordinator and Freshman AVID teacher)

Student Selection

Students apply and interview for the AVID elective. Acceptance is based on criteria such as grades, attendance, behavior, Advanced and AP enrollment, course enrollment, STAAR scores, and special circumstances. AVID focuses on students who are, or may be capable of completing a college-preparatory academic path with extra support and guidance, including first-generation, college-bound students.

How do I apply for the AVID elective class at Vandegrift?

1. Complete the online APPLICATION.  (Current AVID students do NOT need to reapply.)

In order to officially complete and submit your application using the Google Classroom Code (j3avp72) to view the VHS AVID Online Application. You must be logged into your Leander gmail account.

New to Leander ISD and Vandegrift? Follow these APPLICATION steps to apply.

2. If you are a current AVID student, complete the following and return to your current AVID teacher.

Statement of Intent Current 8th Grade AVID Students

3. NOTIFICATION of acceptance into AVID will occur in late May. If there is a delay, applicants and their parents will be notified. 

Questions may be directed to Mr. Adrian, freshman AVID teacher and AVID Coordinator, at Joe.Adrian@leanderisd.org.

VHS AVID INFORMATION

AVID Mission

AVID's mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society.

AVID's goal is to ensure that all students, and most especially the least served students who are in the middle:

• will succeed in rigorous curriculum,

• will complete a college preparatory path,

• will enter mainstream activities of the school,

• will increase their enrollment in four-year colleges, and

• will become educated, responsible participants and leaders in a democratic society.

AVID's systemic approach is designed to support students and educators as they increase schoolwide/districtwide learning and performance.

Visit the Vandegrift High School International Baccalaureate Programme page for more details on IB offerings. 

2023-2024 School Year Application Deadline: June 4, 2023 at 4 p.m.

Students may apply for Off Campus Physical Education (OCPE) to satisfy the state required PE credit.  

Please see the LISD OCPE website for information, application, and more.

Current Vandegrift students wishing to pursue OCPE for the 2022-2023 school year should turn in their OCPE applications directly to the district office using the Off-Campus PE Application Submission form by June 4, 2023 at 4 p.m.  

No late applications will be accepted!

Please refer to the latest LISD Course Catalog for the most updated information regarding online/correspondence coursework. 

NCAA Eligibility

Students that may be exploring athletics in college are encouraged to work with their coaches and families to create their required NCAA Eligibility Center Portal. Check out NCAA Resources for more information on academic requirements, frequently asked questions, checklists, etc. 

VHS World Language Testing

Leander ISD offers students the opportunity to earn high school world language credit by credentialing through exams (AP, ACTFL, AAPPL, & ALIRA; more details can be found on the LISD World Languages website). The purpose of this exam is to help students moving into our district during 9th-12th grade, particularly our English Language Learners, meet the graduation requirement for Languages other than English. 

We aim to offer two test dates during the school year: late August and late January. Dates may vary due to exam, room/lab, and proctor availability. Specific dates and times will be shared with students that have requested to test as soon as exams, labs, and proctors are requested and secured. Please know, for testing that requires a live proctor (oral proficiency interview), there may be more flexibility required in the testing schedule as these must be coordinated at the individual level. 

Semester 1 Exams offered (free, first time testing): Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish 

Semester 2 Exams offered (paid, or retake testing): All eligible languages (pending lab/proctor availability)  listed on the LISD World Language site 

Test Types: 

• Fully Computerized (AAPPL and ALIRA) 

  • Offered for select languages 

  • Includes 4 sections and assesses: listening, speaking, reading, writing

  • Students can earn up to 4 high school credits 

• Oral Proficiecny

  • Offered via computer for some languages and via live phone interview for others

  • Price varies by language and type (computerized or live) and test bundling 

  • Assesses listening and speaking

  • Students can earn up to 2 high school credits 

• Writing Proficiency 

  • Offered via computer or paper (by request) 

  • Prices vary by language and test bundling 

  • Asesses reading and writing 

  • Students can earn up to 2 high school credits 

To request testing, please contact your Vandegrift alpha assigned Counselor

Awarded Credit

Upon completion of any world language exam taken through LISD, families are asked to review the exam scores and consider the options they would like to choose for accepting high school credit, which will be added to the transcript. 

Exam results will indicate how many credits (years) of a particular language a student is eligible to add to their transcript. If a student chooses to add all earned credits to their transcript, the highest earning credit will be indicated on the transcript with the earned numerical grade and the prior level earned credits will be indicated with an alpha indicator of Passing (P). Credits earned through a language exam will NOT be calculated into the GPA. 

Students cannot earn duplicate state credit for the same course. If a student already has credit for a course or chooses to take a course in which they have already earned credit, then additional credits will be labeled as local credit on the transcript and will NOT be factored into GPA calculations according to Leander ISD GPA policy. 

Transcripts are an official record of a student's high school academic career and must reflect accuracy in credit completion. Once a student has chosen to accept earned credits, the transcript cannot be changed.