VHS Counseling January Newsletter

All Grades

Viper Night // January 22
Course Selection for the 2026-27 School Year - ACCELERATED TIMELINE
VHS Course Selection Timeline & Naviance
Updated Process for Correspondence Coursework
Austin Community College Dual Credit
Interested in Joining the PALS Program Next Year?

All Things Senior

Mid-Year Reports for College Applications
Cap & Gown Reminder - Avoid Late Fees!
FAFSA is OPEN!! (And it's a Graduation Requirement!)
Accepted? We Want to Know!
Frequently Asked Senior Questions

Junior Zone

Junior Conferences
Upcoming Test Preparation Opportunities
Leadership Opportunities

Leander ISD Mental Health Minutes

Being You
Exploring Passions & Interests
Maintaining Balance
Managing Conflict

Dates to Remember:

January 13 or 14: PALS Information Meetings
January 20 & 21: Counselor Connection Meetings for Juniors
January 22: Viper Night - FOR ALL STUDENTS & GRADE LEVELS!!
February 2 - February 27: Junior Conferences
March 4: School Day SAT for Juniors
March 12, 4p: Final Deadline for ALL Change Requests for the 2026-27 School Year

Viper Night // January 22

Viper Night will begin at 5:00 p.m. and will showcase the Viper Experience by highlighting the various ways our students can explore their interests and passions through elective coursework, clubs and organizations. Designed with with ALL grade levels in mind, this event provides students and families with a better understanding of both academic and extracurricular programs so that students can make informed course selection decisions for the upcoming school year.

Viper Night is designed in a fluid (open house) format integrated with scheduled information sessions so students and families can learn about opportunities directly from the teachers, coaches, directors and/or upper-level students involved in those programs.

Course Selection for the 2026-27 School Year - ACCELERATED TIMELINE

Leander ISD has accelerated the district-wide timeline for next year’s course selections. Planning for next year begins soon. Grade-specific information will be shared later, but all course selection decisions will be FINAL by March 12 at 4:00 PM. This is significantly earlier than in previous years, so we want families to have this information now to begin planning.

VHS Course Selection Timeline for 2026-27 School Year

VHS Course Selection Timeline & Naviance

Leander ISD has accelerated the district-wide timeline for next year’s course selections. Students and families can begin planning now in Naviance. Parent Naviance Account information was reshared in November via an email from VHS.Counseling. Through the Parent Naviance Account all parents/guardians are asked to review student 4-year plans and confirm student course selections for the upcoming school year. Grade-specific information regarding the course selection process can be found in the Course Selection Timeline, and all course selection decisions are FINAL on March 12 at 4:00 PM.

The tools in Naviance help students learn about various post-secondary pathways so they can define their post-secondary goals. Use this Naviance Overview for Students & Parents to help you navigate through the many resources available in this tool. With their goals in mind we encourage students and families to learn more about their course options using the course catalog in Naviance then by attending Viper Night to learn about specific courses from the teachers in those subject areas. Save the date: Viper Night 2026 - Thursday, January 22, 2026.

Updated Process for Correspondence Coursework

Students considering pursuing earning credit through an outside provider, please note that major updates have been made to the Correspondence Course Options. It is essential that you understand the new guidelines before enrolling.

Correspondence, Distance, and Virtual Courses (See page 23 of the LISD Course Catalog)
Students may take correspondence, distance, or virtual courses outside of the school day at their own expense. However, credit toward state graduation requirements will only be granted if all of the following conditions are met:

The course is offered through UT High School, Texas Tech University High School, or the Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN).
The course must be approved before enrollment using the Coursework Approval Form.

⚠️ Important: Courses taken without prior approval will not receive credit. Be sure to complete the approval process before registering for any summer class. Critical deadlines:

Submit the Coursework Approval Form by the last Friday in February
Complete the course by July 25

Austin Community College Dual Credit

Spring 2026 Classes Begin January 20

If students have issues or questions, please reach out to Ms. Kendall in the CCC-room 1306.

Summer 2026 / School Year 2026–27 planning for current 9th, 10th, 11th graders

Information about the ACC Dual Credit program has been posted in the Class of 202X Google Classrooms and presentations were made in 10th grade classrooms in November. Students who would like to take ACC Dual Credit courses in Summer 2026 and/or the 2026–27 school year may start the enrollment process now. The priority deadline for completing steps 1-5 for Summer 2026 and/or School Year 2026-27 is February 16, with the final deadline on March 12.

New to ACC Dual Credit: Students who are new to ACC Dual Credit must complete enrollment steps 1–4, including TSI testing (step 4), before attending an advising meeting (Step 5).
Returning to ACC Dual Credit : Students returning to ACC Dual Credit do not need to repeat steps 1-4 (unless needing TSI math qualifying scores for Economics) and can schedule their summer/school year 2026-27 advising meeting through this link.

Students taking the TSI for dual credit college readiness can take the assessment once at VHS, offered January 8 (Thursday), February 5 (Thursday), February 16 (Monday/PD Day) or can take it Mondays-Saturdays at ACC. Details can be found here.

Interested in Joining the PALS Program Next Year? (current sophomores and juniors only)

Any student interested in joining PALS must attend an information session either January 13th or 14th. Several time options are available!

Mid-Year Reports for College Applications

Some colleges/universities require a Mid-Year Report as part of the college application process. Mid-year reports can be sent once semester grades are finalized and GPA's have been recalculated and reviewed. This will be complete by mid-February.

The method for submitting a mid-year report will differ based on your method of application for each school.

Common App - if any of your Common Application schools require a mid-year report, no further action is needed on your part for these schools. Your counselor will submit the report on your behalf once mid-year transcripts become available.
School Specific Application - if you applied through a school specific portal and need a mid-year report, you will order a transcript via Parchment. Please be sure to select the "Hold for Grades" option. This will ensure the registrar sends the mid-year transcript to include 1st semester grades.

Cap & Gown Reminder - Avoid Late Fees!!

January 31 // Order Cap & Gown by this date to avoid late fee (link directly to only cap, gown & tassel, not fancy packages)

Make sure to stay up-to-date on senior specific information by visiting the Senior Information Page regularly!

FAFSA is OPEN!! (And it's a Graduation Requirement!)

In accordance with Texas Education Code (TEC), §28.0256, each student must do one of the following in order to graduate:

Complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Complete and submit a Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) (for Texas residents who are not eligible to apply for federal financial aid - usually includes students who are non-citizens or non-permanent residents of the United States)
Submit a signed opt-out form ENGLISH, SPANISH

*Reminder: this is only one graduation requirement component. Counselors and Administrators will continue working with Seniors on ensuring graduation requirements are met.

ACTION REQUIRED

Seniors: To complete this graduation requirement, submit your documentation to this linked form.

Accepted? We Want to Know!

Once you make a decision of where you'll be attending, follow the steps below to be added to our "Going Places" wall at the front of the school.

Log into your Naviance account (access through Leander LaunchPad)
Navigate to "Colleges I'm Applying To"
Add your school or military branch and click on the edit icon and update your "Result" to "Accepted"
Once you know where you're committing, choose it from the drop-down of "College I'm Attending"

Frequently Asked Senior Questions

Do I need tickets for graduation?

No! Seating at the HEB Center is first come, first served. There is ample seating for all seniors and their guests.

Speaking of stuff to wear - when do I get all my fancy accessories? (medals/stoles/cords/cap & gown)

Graduates will receive packets containing applicable regalia during the walk-through at graduation rehearsal. Graduates will pick up their cap & gown immediately following graduation rehearsal.

Junior Conferences & Parent/Guardian Informational Webinar - Save the Dates!

Counselors will begin meeting with 11th grade students in January to begin the course selection process for the 2026-27 school year. Junior/Counselor Conferences will take place February 2 - February 27 to discuss post-secondary planning and finalize course selections for senior year.

**Be on the lookout for the Viper Vitals for Juniors newsletter with more specifics coming soon!**

Important Junior Dates

January 20 - 21 - Counselor Connection meetings during students' English class periods - Students taking English 3 through ACC will be sent for individually to meet with your counselor.

January 22 - Viper Night

February 2 - February 27 // 11th Grade Individual Student/Counselor Conferences (parents/guardians invited to join via Zoom)

Upcoming Test Preparation Opportunities

SAVE THE DATE - School Day SAT

SAT (no writing) for all juniors on March 4, 2026 // FREE, no registration required

Test Preparation Opportunities

Prepare for the March SAT on campus at Vandegrift! Classes meet on campus at Vandegrift High School.

Register Here: https://www.morethanateacher.com/sat/vandegrift-march-sat-prep/

Other Spring To-Do Suggestions:

Check out the College Planning & Application Resources link for the 11th Grade College Planning Checklist and Additional Planning Resources on the VHS College and Career Center website.
College Visits at Vandegrift – Meet with college reps (register in Naviance)

Leadership Opportunities

This is the time of year when leadership opportunities often become available specifically for junior students. These opportunities are sponsored by community organizations and we encourage students to check their Google Class of 2026 classroom regularly - information is posted as it becomes available.

Dream School Book Study

Interested in helping your student(s) find their just-right college? We are hosting a book study for the new book Dream School, from college admissions expert Jeffery Selingo, which explores how students can find the best-fit college experience. The first of two meetings will be on January 26 6:30-7:30pm. Complete the book study interest form if you are planning to join us!

In an effort to promote mental health awareness and reduce the stigma of seeking help for mental health concerns, the Leander ISD Counseling Services team is excited to continue the Mental Health Minute video series.

January Mental Health Minutes:

Being You

Exploring Passions & Interests

Maintaining Balance

Managing Conflict