���8^th Grade Information Night

Class of 2027

Vista Ridge High School

January 23, 2023

Use the Q & A feature on the bottom panel to ask questions

Get to Know Your Administrators

Paul Johnson, Principal

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Alma Mater: Texas A&M University

Major: B.S. in Industrial Distribution

Graduate Degree: M.Ed. in Educational Administration

Stacy Steele, Dean Of Instruction

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Alma Mater: University of Texas

Major: B.S. in Biology

Graduate Degree: M.Ed. in Educational Administration

Get to Know Your Administrators

Natalie Smith, Assistant Principal (A-Co)

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Alma Mater: Texas A&M University

Major: B.A. Speech Communication

Graduate Degree: M. Ed. in Educational Administration

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Patrick Peabody, Assistant Principal (Cr-He)

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Alma Mater: Texas A&M University

Major: B.A. in History

Graduate Degree: M. Ed.in Administration

Get to Know Your Administrators

Dena Gifford, Assistant Principal (Mc-Re)

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Alma Mater: Houston Baptist University, University of Houston

Major: B.S. Biology & Psychology

Graduate Degree: M.Ed. in Science Education & Principal Certification Program

Wendell Mills, Assistant Principal (Hi-Ma)

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Alma Mater: Auburn University

Major: B.A. in Music Education

Graduate Degree: M. Ed. in Educational Leadership &

Specialist in Educational Leadership

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Get to Know Your Administrators

Megan Sauber, Assistant Principal (Ri-Va)

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Alma mater: Kansas State University

Major: B.S. in Family & Consumer Sciences Education

Graduate Degree: M.Ed. in School Counseling

Principal Certification

Bryon Ellison, Associate Principal (Ve-Z)

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Alma Mater: Hardin-Simmons University

Major: B.S. in Kinesiology

Graduate Degree: M. Ed. in Educational Leadership

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Get to Know Your Counselors

Amanda Lester, Counselor (A-Cn)

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Alma Mater: Texas Tech University

Major: B.S. in Family Studies

Graduate Degree: M. Ed. in School Counseling

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Vi Quach-Vu, Counselor (Co-Go)

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Alma Mater: University of Texas

Major: B.A. in Psychology and History

Graduate Degree: M. Ed. in Counseling

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Get to Know Your Counselors

Laurie Randel, Counselor (Gr-Kv)

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Alma Mater: Abilene Christian University

Major: B.S. in Elementary Education

Graduate Degree: M. Ed. in School Counseling

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Jen Simmons, Counselor (Kw-N)

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Alma Mater: University of Alaska, Fairbanks

Major: B.B.A. Marketing

Graduate Degree: M. Ed. Counseling

Get to Know Your Counselors

Deanna Baker, Lead Counselor (0 & ESL)

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Alma Mater: Sam Houston State University

Major: B.S. in Journalism

Graduate Degree: M.Ed. in Educational Leadership & M.A. in School Counseling

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Patty Reich, Counselor (P-Sin)

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Alma Mater: University of Texas

Major: Spanish Language and Literature

Graduate Degree: M. Ed. in School Counseling

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Get to Know Your Counselors

Robert Santoyo, Counselor (Sio-Z)

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Alma Mater: University of Texas

Major: B.A. in Government

Graduate Degree: M. Ed. in School Counseling

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Get to Know Your Coordinators

Colleen Roundhill, Special Education Coordinator

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Alma Maters: Penn State University & UT Austin

Major: B.S. in Psychology

Masters of Arts in Special Education

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Paul Rials, 504 and Testing Coordinator

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Alma Mater: Louisiana State University

Major: B.A. in English Education

Masters in Curriculum & Instruction

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Student Body President

Koa Fujimoto, Senior

VRHS Student Body President

Agenda

• Graduation Plans and Requirements
• Endorsements
• Credits, GPA, and Class Rank
• Top 10% - Automatic Admission
• Freshman Course Offerings
• Advanced Coursework Considerations
• IB Programme and NCAA Requirements

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In Leander ISD, we are focused on creating well rounded graduates who are empowered to reach their academic goals while also being prepared for life after high school including:

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• direct college enrollment
• enlisting in the military
• pursuing a career

Graduation Plans

• LISD Distinguished with Honors (this is a local distinction only)
• Distinguished Level of Achievement
• Foundation with Endorsements*

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• All students will enter 9th grade with the plan allowing them to earn the Distinguished with Honors Graduation Distinction.

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• *Foundation with Endorsements will not meet the requirements for Automatic Admission at Texas Universities.

Graduation Plans

LISD Distinguished with Honors Distinction

LISD Distinguished with Honors Distinction

**The LISD Distinguished with Honors plan requires an Endorsement.

Endorsements

• An endorsement is required by House Bill 5 for the Distinguished Level of Achievement Grad Plan and Top 10%

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• Arts & Humanities
• Business & Industry
• Multi-Disciplinary Studies*
• Public Service
• STEM

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• *All LISD Freshmen will begin with the Multi-disciplinary studies endorsement but may change/add endorsements.

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Multidisciplinary Endorsement

Option 1

• Four credits in each of the four foundation subject areas to include English IV and Chemistry and/or Physics.

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• * 4 English credits * 4 Math credits
• * 4 Science credits * 4 Social Studies

Option 2

• Four Credits in AP, IB or Dual Credit selected from English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Economics, LOTE and Fine Arts

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End of Course Exams Requirements

Each student must pass required STAAR End of Course (EOC) Exams to graduate.

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• English I
• English II
• Algebra I
• Biology
• US History

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Retest opportunities are available three times per year.

Credits

• Credits are earned upon passing a course at 70% or higher.

1 semester = .5 credit

2 Semesters = 1 credit

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• Must have 90% attendance to receive credit = Miss no more than 4 classes for each course.
• Students have the possibility to earn 7 to 8 credits per year.

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Grade Point Average (GPA) and Rank

The Leander ISD Board of Trustees recently updated the local policy which changes the process for calculating the weighted GPA and reporting class rank.

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The GPA committee focused on changes to promote

• Student Choice
• The Whole Child
• Well Rounded Graduates

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For more information visit the GPA FAQ Page

www.Leanderisd.org/GPA

Courses Included in the

Weighted GPA

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A student’s weighted GPA will be used to calculate class rank. Courses included in the calculation of the weighted GPA will be from the following areas:

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• Up to eight semesters in English/language arts;
• Up to eight semesters in mathematics;
• Up to eight semesters in science;
• Up to eight semesters in social studies; and
• Up to four semesters in languages other than English (LOTE).

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If a student completes more than the number of semesters listed above, weighted GPA will be calculated using the grades with the highest grade point value.

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Course Levels

Level I, II and III courses will be published annually in the Leander ISD High School Course Catalog.

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• Level I Courses: 5.0 Scale (Regular Level)
• Level II Courses: 5.5 Scale (Adv Courses)
• Level III Courses: 6.0 Scale (AP Courses)

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Reporting GPA and Rank

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Grade 9: End of year (June)

Grade 10: End of year (June)

Grade 11: End of semester one (January) and end of year (June)

Grade 12: End of semester one (January) and end of the 5th six-weeks

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• All students will receive a Weighted GPA
• Top 10% will receive class rank
• GPA calculation begins during the first semester of a

student’s 9th grade year

Top 10% and Automatic Admission

Automatic admission to a Texas Public College or University is available to students who graduate in the top 10% of their class on either the DLA or LISD with Honors Graduation Distinction.

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• Students are assured admission to the school, but not always their desired major.

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University of Texas at Austin Automatic Admission can change annually.

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• In recent years, UT Austin has accepted the top 6%

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Although the name has changed to Advanced, course curriculum is the same.

Pre-AP Courses are called Advanced Courses

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Freshman Courses

Math Courses

• If in 8^th grade Math Alg 1 or Alg I Advanced

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• If in Algebra 1 Geometry or Geometry Advanced

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• If in Geometry Algebra 2 or Algebra 2 Advanced

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Biology Courses

• Biology
• Required participation in a science project

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• Biology Advanced
• Required participation in Science Fair
• Major independent research project
• Significant reading and writing components

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• English I
• English I Advanced
• English I Advanced Quest (current QUEST students will be automatically enrolled in QUEST 9th grade)

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English Courses ��

• Designed to prepare for AP English
• Expect homework on a daily basis
• Ongoing independent reading, in addition to class studies per 6 weeks
• Quest = more choices, projects and debates

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*Contact your child’s 8th grade counselor about QUEST and testing

• World Geography
• Advanced Placement Human Geography*
• This is the FIRST AP class students can take at VRHS.
• Supports students with college prep curriculum
• Students scoring 3, 4, or 5, on the National AP exam will earn college credit in any Texas state college or university.

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Social Studies Courses��

World Languages���

• LISD Distinguished with Honors Graduation Disctinction REQUIRES 3 years of the same world language
• Suggested to begin world language by 9^th grade, but not required.

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• Choices for World Language credits include:
• American Sign Language
• French
• Latin
• Spanish

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• If your child already speaks another language fluently, please contact your 8th grade counselor about testing and earning high school credits.

Fine Arts Options�

�Athletics�

• Girls Basketball*
• Girls Volleyball*
• Girls Soccer*
• Girls Softball*
• Boys Football
• Boys Basketball*
• Boys Soccer*

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• Boys Baseball*
• Cross Country*/Track
• Golf*
• Swimming*
• Tennis*
• Wrestling
• Sports Medicine*

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• All sports teams meet every day,
• Count as 2 classes/blocks

*Tryout required

Student Athletes –

NCAA Requirements

• Student athletes who may become college level athletes should refer to the Division I and II course requirements at the NCAA Eligibility Center website at  www.eligibilitycenter.org

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• Online Courses and Credit by Exam are not typically accepted by the NCAA.

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Off Campus PE

• May earn up to 4 high school credits for physical education for an approved private or commercially-sponsored physical activity programs conducted off campus.

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• OCPE applications must be submitted no later than June 3rd at 4:00 PM. Students can submit directly on the website or to the 8th grade counselor.

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• For more information and program requirements, please refer to the Health, PE and Wellness page of the Leander ISD Website.

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AVID

Advancement Via Individual Determination

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AVID is a regularly scheduled elective class that prepares students with high academic potential for success in college.

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Informational Parent Night on March 3, 2022 at 6 PM.

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Interest Form

Advanced Placement (AP)

Stacy Steele, Dean of Instruction

Email: Stacy.steele@leanderisd.org

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• Content is challenging and will require more time outside of the school day.

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• Advanced courses prepare for the challenge of AP and IB courses.

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• Organization and time management skills are needed in order to be successful.

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• Enrolling in advanced courses is an individual decision - maintain a healthy balance.

Interested in the IB Program?

Leander High School and Vandegrift High School both have the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

• An internationally-recognized diploma with a focus on writing and critical thinking skills.
• Nearly all IB Diploma recipients directly enroll in a 4 year university

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For more information, please visit the LHS or VHS IB websites and attend Parent Nights!

Early College High School

Clay Currier, Senior Director of Innovative Learning Programs

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Interested in Early College High School?

LISD Early College is a school of choice, located on the ACC San Gabriel Campus, which offers a different high school experience from all comprehensive campuses for those that apply.

ECHS Students are: Current 8th Graders

Like-minded and diverse (FG, HUR, AR, EcoDis)

Able to earn up to two years of college credit

Able to simultaneously earn a high school diploma, with honors, and an associates degree from ACC

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ALL INCOMING FRESHMAN ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY!

Courses at LISD ECHS

Early College High School FAQS

What is the cost of attending/completing the ECHS program?

• There is no cost - this program is free!

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Would my student be at ACC San Gabriel Campus all day?

• Yes, your home campus would be LISD ECHS

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Who may apply for the ECHS program?

• Any current 8th grade student transitioning to 9th grade

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Does ECHS have athletics/band/etc?

• LISD ECHS will not have UIL organizations, but has a wide variety of student-led clubs and organizations (dance, intramural sports, music, coding, anime, art)

Early College High School FAQS

How many students will be enrolled for the Legacy Class?

• 125 incoming 9th graders per year will be admitted
• Applications open on February 7th, 2022 at echs.leanderisd.org
• Applications will also be available in the counselor's office

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What if you have more than 125 people apply?

• Student selection will be made through a weighted lottery

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What supports are available to ECHS students?

• Wrap-around counseling supports
• Transportation is available
• LISD meals will be served on the ECHS campus
• SRO’s, ACC PD and Administration working together to keep your student safe

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This sounds amazing! How can I get more information?

• Visit echs.leanderisd.org, email echs@leanderisd.org or call 512.570.2210

Middle School Registration Schedule

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• Request course changes with VRHS alpha assigned counselor NOT middle school counselor!
• Deadline = August 1, 2022

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Athletics Webinar

&

Fine Arts Webinar

following this presentation

THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING

8TH GRADE INFORMATION NIGHT!

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This presentation and the webinar recording will be posted on the Class of 2026 website on the VRHS Counseling website and VRHS website.

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Use the Q & A feature on the bottom panel to ask questions.

Welcome Class of 2026!

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Go Rangers!