The district’s guiding documents consist of the Strategic Plan, Core Beliefs, Graduate Profile, the 10 Ethical Principles, The Leander Way and the Learning Model. Another foundation document used in Leander ISD is the Student Learning Behaviors.
Strategic Plan

The district’s Strategic Plan, approved February 2022, sets out a five-year plan to help guide the district on its journey of continuous improvement and to realize its vision of cultivating each student individually to produce the most sought-after creators of our future world.
The plan, grounded in the district’s core beliefs, vision, mission and graduate profile, illustrates the most important aspirations for our students into a clear plan that reflects our diverse community.
The plan is divided into five focus areas.
Core Beliefs

As a public school organization, we hold these truths as our core beliefs:
- Each and every student is at the heart of our decisions. This requires a focus on students and all elements that impact their overall student experience in order for them to reach their maximum potential.
- LISD life-changers (each and every staff member) should be empowered so they can inspire our students to own their learning.
- Our LISD family, which includes our students and their families, life-changers, board, and community members, thrives when we ensure a welcoming, safe, and caring environment in which we treat one another with integrity, respect, fairness, and acceptance while appreciating our differences.
- A deliberate and intentional focus on relevant and deeper learning for each student will optimize individual outcomes and personal growth.
- Developing and maintaining meaningful, collaborative relationships between all our LISD family is vital for a whole child, student-driven experience.
Graduate Profile

Leander ISD learners are empowered to enrich our world and excel in a rapidly changing global society through a life-long journey of character development, academic success and fulfillment.
Critical & Creative Thinkers
Students who seek and solve problems through curiosity, flexibility and innovation.
Skilled Communicators & Collaborators
Students who listen to understand, express ideas with empathy and work collectively toward shared outcomes.
Compassionate Community Contributors
Students who value diverse perspectives and share their unique gifts with the world.
Adaptable & Reflective Individuals
Students who confidently embrace their strengths and challenges while pursuing their interests and passions.
10 Ethical Principles

- Honesty: telling the truth
- Integrity: doing the right thing
- Promise-keeping: doing what you say you are going to do
- Loyalty: supporting someone or something
- Concern for Others: caring for and helping others
- Law-abidance/Civic Duty: obeying rules and laws/making the world a better place
- Respect for Others: being polite and kind to everyone and everything
- Fairness: treating everyone equally
- Pursuit of Excellence: doing everything the best you can; looking for ways to improve
- Accountability: taking responsibility for your actions, and taking pride in what you do right
Learning Model

Leander ISD’s Learning Model is a research-based model for instruction in LISD. It was implemented district wide in 2006 as a tool to provide LISD with guidance on how classrooms and schools can effectively enhance student achievement.
At the center and heart of the Learning Model is “Focus on Student Learning.” This is district’s singular purpose for existing and is considered in every new opportunity and decision made throughout LISD.
The result of three years of collaborative work by principals, instructional leaders and teachers at all levels across the district, the Leander ISD Student Learning Model is both a target and a guide as the district seeks to become the best in the world at guiding student learning.
The Leander Way
Student Learning Behaviors

What is “IT” in the Classroom?
When students are highly engaged in their learning, what does it sound like? When students are enthusiastic about their learning, what does it look like? What student behaviors and mindsets will ensure that they will exit our system with the same passion for and joy in learning they had when they entered, without economics determining success? In short, what is “It”?
As a student, I will own my learning when I consistently:
- Explore Learning Targets …
by knowing what I need to learn, finding meaning and making connections in my learning. - Assess for Learning …
by determining my progress toward achieving the learning target. - Plan for Intervention and/or Challenge …
by seeking support when I’m struggling and discovering ways to remain challenged in my learning. - Use Learning Strategies …
by applying a variety of strategies and tools to help me learn. - Collaborate and Engage …
by interacting with other students and remaining actively engaged in my learning. - Analyze Data and Set Goals …
by creating learning goals and tracking my progress on an ongoing basis. - Show Evidence of Learning …
by determining how to demonstrate my learning.