Generally, more challenge is better than less. We encourage all students to participate in Advanced Placement (AP), the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP), and/or Dual Credit courses based on their individual learning needs and strengths. AP Program and Dual Credit courses are offered on all LISD high school campuses, while the IB DP is only offered at Leander HS.
In high school, LISD students may participate in Advanced courses in mathematics, science, social studies and English. These courses are intentionally designed with instructional strategies that aim to prepare students for the challenge of both AP and IB coursework. Ninth and 10th grade Advanced courses are vertically aligned with Leander ISD’s AP and/or IB courses in 11th and 12th grades. Students may select from a variety of courses in mathematics, science, social studies, English, world languages and fine arts.
AP & IB Programs
Both the AP and the IB programs provide students with academic challenge while preparing them for college. Students may have the opportunity to earn college credit by taking course exams. Note: awarding of credit type is determined by each college campus. The College Board and the International Baccalaureate websites offer detailed information regarding the AP Program and the IB DP. Learn more about our IB Diploma Programme: LISD IB DP Webinar and presentation slides.
AP Testing for Homeschooled Students: All high school campuses offer AP exams to students for a fee. Homeschooled students wishing to take AP exams at the high school campus they are zoned to attend in LISD should check with the campus Dean of Instruction for exams offered, registration deadlines, and test dates: Cedar Park High School, Glenn High School, Leander High School, Rouse High School, Vandegrift High School, and Vista Ridge High School.
AP Capstone Diploma
Calling all sophomores, juniors and seniors – Explore Your Passion with AP Capstone!
AP Capstone is a College Board program offered at every LISD high school campus. As part of the AP Capstone Program, the AP Seminar and AP Research courses allow students the ability to explore specific academic interests not tied to a content area. Students who complete the two-year program requirements can earn one of two different AP Capstone awards. Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP exams of their choosing receive the AP Capstone Diploma. Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research but not on four additional AP exams receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.
New! Students can now opt to take the AP Seminar/Advanced English II course in their sophomore year. This course combines Advanced English II and AP Seminar curricula allowing students to take the first step toward earning the Capstone Diploma while not giving up space in their schedule for the elective AP Seminar credit. Students earn a grade for English II and pass/fail credit for AP Seminar. All students who enroll in this course are committing to taking and paying for the AP Seminar exam in May.
ACC Dual Credit
Leander ISD partners with ACC (Austin Community College) to offer Dual Credit Courses. Dual credit courses are offered at all six Leander High Schools. Contact Information and process to enroll in dual credit courses are on the campus websites linked below. Reach out to your campus contact listed below to learn more about dual credit options available.
| High School | Campus College & Career Transition Coordinator | Campus ACC Dual Credit Website |
| Cedar Park HS | Chris Hexter [email protected] | CPHS ACC Dual Credit |
| Leander HS | Megan Wolske [email protected] | LHS ACC Dual Credit |
| Rouse HS | Christina Wallace [email protected] | RHS ACC Dual Credit |
| Glenn HS | Anne Kennedy [email protected] | GHS ACC Dual Credit |
| Vista Ridge HS | Holly Lamb [email protected] | VRHS ACC Dual Credit |
| Vandegrift HS | Katie Kendall [email protected] | VHS ACC Dual Credit |
2026-27 LISD ACC Dual Credit course list
In addition to dual credit options available at our comprehensive high schools, Leander ISD also offers an Early College High School. Students apply to attend this school the year prior to their freshman year. The Early College HS initiative is an open-enrollment program that blends college and high school coursework, enabling students to earn up to two years of college credit (60 hours), tuition-free, while enrolled in high school.
AVID – For Possibility!
AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a college and career readiness system designed to increase the number of students who enroll in four-year colleges. Although AVID serves all students, it focuses on the least served students in the academic middle. The formula is simple—raise expectations of students and, with the AVID support system in place, they will rise to the challenge. AVID students have the desire to attend college and the willingness to work hard. AVID students enroll in AP/IB and/or Advanced courses so they can be on the college track: acceleration instead of remediation.
AVID Elective students enroll in at least one of their school’s most challenging classes, such as Advanced Placement® and Advanced, and also enroll in the AVID Elective. For one period a day, they learn organizational and study skills, work on critical thinking and asking probing questions, get academic help from peers and college and adult tutors, and participate in enrichment and motivational activities that make college seem attainable. As members of the AVID elective self‐images improve, and they become academically successful leaders and role models for other students. The AVID elective is open to any student with the determination!
College Entrance and Readiness Testing – PSAT, SAT, ACT, and TSIA-2
College entrance testing is designed to measure academic readiness and predict a student’s ability to handle college-level coursework. Leander ISD supports the following College Entrance testing as part of our Advanced Programs:
- PSAT: Prepares students to take the SAT. LISD offers the PSAT/NMSQT school day to all sophomores and juniors each fall – October 20, 2026. LISD encourages students to access resources from College Board to learn more about the SAT Suite of Assessments. Students can also access free practice materials through Khan Academy and paid test prep through our partner More Than A Teacher.
- Homeschooled students may test for PSAT/NMSQT at the test site designated for their zoned LISD high school home campus. Friday, September 25, 2026 is the deadline for homeschooled students to register for the district’s Tuesday, October 20, 2026 PSAT/NMSQT test event.
- To register for testing, complete the PSAT/NMSQT Exam Registration for Homeschool Students form before the September 25, 2026 registration deadline. The high school campus registrants are zoned to attend will send more information about test day logistics a few days prior to the October 20, 2026 test date.
- SAT: LISD offers the SAT School Day to all juniors each spring (March 3, 2027). Students may also take the SAT during a Saturday testing opportunity operated by College Board.
- ACT: Students are encouraged to take the ACT during a Saturday testing opportunity in the junior year or during the summer between junior and senior years.
- Students should compare the ACT score to the SAT score and make a plan to improve scores for college entrance and college scholarship opportunities. Always check entrance and scholarship score requirements with the college(s) to determine the score(s) needed.
- TSIA-2: The TSIA-2 is the state-approved college readiness assessment used by Texas public colleges and universities. It determines whether a student is ready to take college-level coursework in Reading and Writing (ELAR) and Mathematics. The two components of TSIA-2 are College Readiness Classification (CRC) test and the Diagnostic Test (taken if needed to identify areas of strength and need). Leander ISD uses TSIA-2 results for: College Placement, Dual Credit Eligibility, CCMR Accountability, and Academic Skill Development for High School students. The test is offered at all high school campuses and through our partner Austin Community College. Reach out to the campus College, Career Transition Coordinator to learn more about campus specific test dates or learn how to schedule TSIA-2 testing at Austin Community College.
Exam for Acceleration
Exam for Acceleration allows Leander ISD students who have mastered the content and skills of a particular grade level or course without direct instruction to advance to the next level so they will be more appropriately challenged. When registered and taken at designated times in the district, these exams are available at no cost to eligible students. Leander ISD uses exams from the University of Texas. When tests are not available through UT, the district may use Texas Tech University Distance Education Center exams for grades K-12. These testing resources ensure standardization and objectivity of the exams. Campus counselors can provide guidance on testing and registration when needed.
Gifted and Talented
Gifted and Talented students are encouraged to explore their passions and develop their strengths through the wide array of high school courses available at all LISD campuses. Academically gifted and talented learners should consider enrolling in the IB program at Leander High School or taking the courses need to earn the AP Capstone Diploma, which is offered at all high schools along with Advanced Placement coursework. Students may also request a QUEST-G/T Lab time where individual students engage in self-directed independent study when the array of learning options available at high schools do not meet their individual learning needs. Consultation with the high school counselor to develop a four year plan and update annually is required to determine best placement and schedule options available. Teachers of high school core content AP and IB courses are required to be GT trained. These teachers are equipped to help support GT learners needs along with the high school counseling staff.
