The LISD transfer window will open soon, and families have the opportunity to request a transfer to pursue the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program. The district will host a virtual information session Feb. 29 from 5-6 p.m.
While information sessions at various middle school campuses have taken place over the past few weeks, the district is aware that families might have additional questions. This virtual information will be provided for all Leander ISD eighth grade students and their families to learn more about what the IB program is, and decide whether it is a program they would like to pursue as a part of their high school pathway.
While students do not officially join the program until their 11th grade year, any students wishing to pursue the IB Diploma have the option to transfer to either Leander High School or Vandegrift High School starting in ninth grade.
The IB program is an advanced diploma track that encourages inquiry-based thinking, global mindedness and effective collaboration within a diverse cohort. IB coursework is taken in both junior and senior year and includes the potential of earning college credit and can give students a competitive edge in college admissions. Many Leander ISD graduates have committed to and attended their first-choice of higher-ed institutions, and some students have been recruited specifically as a result of their IB participation.
To learn more about our program’s offerings, please register for the Feb. 29 webinar.
]]>International Baccalaureate (IB) graduates from the Class of 2023 returned to Vandegrift HS to formally mark the end of their Diploma Programme journey.
This group of students walked the stage with their classmates in May 2023 to receive their high school diploma; however, it was not until July when the results of the IB exam were finalized. Hosting the ceremony at the beginning of January allows for Vandegrift HS to welcome back many of the students returning home during winter break of their freshman year of college.
Alumni from previous cohorts, along with current students, joined in the celebration. Afterward, a panel of graduates stuck around to answer questions for current IB students, relaying insight and advice from their time in college and beyond.
“If there’s one thing you take away from tonight, know that we are always here for you,” said Alexandra Magness, the IB coordinator at VHS.
The IB Diploma Programme is a comprehensive, internationally recognized, two-year advanced academic program that begins in a student’s junior year of high school. The IB DP is recognized and respected by the world’s leading universities because it offers a challenging and comprehensive curriculum that academically prepares students for the rigor of college. Additionally, IB DP students may receive college credit, including at least 24 hours at all Texas public universities for students who achieve the IB Diploma.
In Leander ISD, the IB Diploma Programme is also hosted at Leander HS.
Belated congratulations are in order for Class of 2023 graduates of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. This group of students walked the stage with their classmates in May 2023 to receive their high school diploma; however, it was not until July when the results of the IB exam were finalized. Hosting the ceremony in December allows for Leander HS to welcome back many of the students returning home during winter break of their freshman year of college.
“This is a special group of students who met the challenge and rigor of IB,” said Shawn Doctor, the IB coordinator at LHS.
The IB Diploma Programme is a comprehensive, internationally recognized, two-year advanced academic program that begins in a student’s junior year of high school. The IB DP is recognized and respected by the world’s leading universities because it offers a challenging and comprehensive curriculum that academically prepares students for the rigor of college. Additionally, IB DP students may receive college credit, including at least 24 hours at all Texas public universities for students who achieve the IB Diploma.
In Leander ISD, the IB Diploma Programme is also hosted at Vandegrift HS. VHS plans to welcome back its graduates in January.
Leander ISD offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at both Vandegrift and Leander High Schools. The IB Diploma Programme describes its value as more than an education, it is a lifelong opportunity. While students who complete the IB Diploma Programme enjoy the benefit of a well recognized qualification that can help college admissions and career development, all IB programmes aim to move beyond exam results to develop the whole person. Leander ISD schools strive to fulfill the goal described by the IB program to build the skills, empathy and confidence learners need to thrive in the modern world. To bring out the best in every learner, the IB learner profile puts the student at the center of the program, inspiring and motivating both teachers and students to maximize potential.
IB seeks to empower learners to thrive and make a difference and aims to cultivate the IB learner profile attributes.
The IB Diploma Programme aims to cultivate:
The IB Diploma programme aims to provide:
Note that the IB DP is open enrollment to students from any of the Leander ISD high schools and it is currently offered at Leander High School (LHS) and Vandegrift High School (VHS). Prospective IB students from Henry, Leander, Running Brushy, Stiles, Wiley or Danielson Middle Schools will attend LHS. Students from Four Points or Canyon Ridge Middle Schools will attend VHS. Students from Cedar Park Middle School will choose VHS or LHS based on transportation considerations for each family. For further information on the IB Programme, please contact the LHS or VHS International Baccalaureate Programme Coordinator.
If zoned for Cedar Park MS, Henry MS, Leander MS, Running Brushy MS, Stiles MS, Wiley MS, or Danielson MS, contact:
Shawn Doctor, LHS IB Diploma Program Coordinator
shawn.doctor@leanderisd.org
If zoned for Canyon Ridge MS, Cedar Park MS, or Four Points MS, contact:
Sherilyn Green, VHS IB Diploma Program Coordinator
sherilyn.green@leanderisd.org
*Students at Cedar Park Middle School may choose the campus closest to home address
Information Meetings for the IB program will be held this spring prior to course registration.
IB Coordinators will visit middle school campuses and parents and students are invited to attend school information sessions on these nights to learn more about the campus zoned for the IB Diploma Programme:
Myna Chilukuri from Vandegrift High School is the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Student of the Week.
Myna is a senior in the INCUbatoredu and ACCELerator programs, which allow students to develop entrepreneurial and business skills. She and her team were finalists in the VHS INCubatoredu Final Pitch competition in the 2021-22 school year, and they were one of five teams who earned a spot in INCubatoredu for 2022-23.
“Myna stands out to me because she is so motivated and determined to do her best,” INCubatoredu teacher Erin Lucas said. “She’s someone that I know will have a very bright future. It has been a pleasure to have her as my student!”
In addition to participating in INCubatoredu, Myna is an International Baccalaureate student, a Distributive Education Clubs of America officer and an ACCELerator student.
]]>Sreeja Arora is the Leander ISD Career and Technical Education (CTE) Student of the Week.
A senior at Leander High School, Sreeja was a State Finalist at the Texas DECA State competition in 2022 and a Vice Principal of DECA in 2021-22. She is now President of the LHS DECA chapter in the 2022-23 school year.
“Sreeja is a natural born leader with incredible drive to make her school and community a better place,” LHS Marketing Teacher Brittany Hefmer said. “Sreeja excels in her school work and brings that dedication into her leadership of the Leander High School DECA chapter.”
According to Hfner, Sreeja is leading the officer team to be active within the community and mentoring chapter members in competition preparation. She is also an International Baccalaureate (IB) student.
]]>Recently, the College Board published updates to the 2021 Advanced Placement (AP) Exam administration. Leander ISD is committed to offering students the opportunity to take AP Exams in the safest environment possible while adhering to rules established by the College Board.
All students (virtual and in-person) will be allowed to take the paper and pencil exam during the administration 1 window (May 3-17) on their home campus. If students are not able to sit for the paper and pencil exams due to coronavirus-related reasons during administration 1, they may opt to take a digital exam during the first available digital administration of the exam. Campuses will provide more information regarding how to opt-in to digital testing and the technology requirements in the near future. Note: Not all AP Exams have a digital option. Please see LISD AP Exam Schedule
The IB Organization decided that students will not take traditional IB Exams in 2021. Students’ results will be awarded using coursework marks and predicted grades. Please contact the campus IB Coordinator if you have questions.
]]>The high school International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) is a rigorous holistic college preparatory program designed to challenge students academically and encourage them to become lifelong learners. This spring, eighth-grade students at each middle school will learn about IB opportunities available in high school but this correspondence is to ensure parents are also informed of the IB Diploma Programme opportunity in Leander ISD.
Students receiving the IB Diploma are granted a minimum of 24 credit hours at public Texas colleges and universities. The IB Diploma Programme emphasizes the importance of nurturing dispositions such as curiosity and compassion as well as developing knowledge and skills. Along with cognitive development, there is a focus on social, emotional, and physical well-being, while ensuring that students learn to respect themselves, others, and the world around them.
The IB Diploma Programme (DP) is offered at Leander High School and Vandegrift High School. Students from Henry, Leander, Running Brushy, Stiles, Danielson, or Wiley Middle School who choose to join the IB Programme will attend Leander HS. Students from Canyon Ridge or Four Points Middle School who choose IB will attend Vandegrift HS. Students from Cedar Park Middle School may choose VHS or LHS, based on transportation availability or proximity to each high school.
For more information, please view the following video and/or informational items regarding IB DP in Leander ISD.
8th Grade Presentation
Shawn Doctor
IB DP Coordinator
Leander High School
512-570-1083
shawn.doctor@Leanderisd.org
Viper Night
Sherilyn Green
IB DP Coordinator
Vandegrift High School
512-570-2344
sherilyn.green@leanderisd.org
More Leander ISD students took AP and IB exams in 2020, with the total number of AP and IB Exams taken reaching a new high.
“We are extremely proud of our students given there were significant changes to the AP and IB Exams in the 2019-2020 school,” said Assistant Superintendent of Pathways and Innovation, Chrysta Carlin. “These students have worked incredibly hard and I congratulate each of them for their efforts.”
In 2020, 4,812 Leander ISD students took 9,119 AP exams, up from the 4,709 students who took 9,086 exams in 2019. The percentage of students who met criteria (scoring a 3 or higher) increased from 71% to 72%.
The AP Scholar Awards recognize high school students who have demonstrated exemplary college-level achievement on AP Exams. Leander ISD reported a 9.5% increase from the previous year’s AP Scholar distinctions with 1,726 students earning AP Scholar Awards.
An outstanding 90 percent of Leander ISD’s Class of 2020 International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Candidates received their IB Diplomas. Leander High School and Vandegrift High School are the two Leander ISD schools that offer the IB Diploma Program.
In order to earn the IB Diploma, students must take six IB courses (at least three of them over two years), score a total of at least 24 points on cumulative exams, complete a 4,000-word extended essay, pass a theory of knowledge class and demonstrate a two-year commitment to creativity, activity and service.
For students who meet these rigorous criteria, there are many perks associated with earning the IB Diploma. Benefits include a higher admission rate at top colleges, higher probability of graduation from college in four years, and actual college credit. For example, the state of Texas awards at least 24 college credit hours for the IB Diploma, according to Texas Education Code [TEC] §51.968, 2005.
]]>While Peyton Johnson helped build a labyrinth in the Grandview Hill Elementary School courtyard, she is not lost. A fifth-grade student in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) school in Austin, Peyton has embraced the school’s focus on mindfulness, leading students in meditation exercises and helping to create spaces for personal reflection and calmness through the school. Hear Peyton talk to Chief Communications Officer Corey Ryan in this interview, recorded on March 6, 2020, as part of our Student Voice podcast.