Overview

Vanguard School, founded in 1973, is a private, independent, coeducational, college preparatory day school for students in grades 7-12. Enrollment varies year-to-year, but is generally under 200. Qualified students are admitted regardless of race, religion, or ethnic origin.

There are 22 on the teaching faculty. The teacher-student ratio is 1:8 with the class size ranging from 3-18. We believe that the level of individualized attention that each student receives has contributed to the record of success that our students and graduates have achieved:

Vanguard has had 10 National Merit Finalists, 21 Commended, and 3 Hispanic Scholars in the last five years. These levels are remarkable for a school our size.
In 2009-2010, a total of six students in all Central Texas schools were named National Merit semifinalists. Half of these attended Vanguard.
The 61 members of the combined graduating classes of 2008 and 2009 received more than $8.4 million in academic scholarship offers to colleges and universities around the nation.
The Class of 2010 had an average SAT score of 1255 (critical reading and math combined). This is 27% higher than the Texas average.

Our collegiate style campus is situated on 8.5 wooded acres. State of the art computer labs are accessible to students, and the entire campus has wireless Internet access. Art, drama, debate, publications, service organizations, and athletics are among extracurricular options.

Mission Statement

Vanguard College Preparatory School is a non-parochial, independent school that prepares our students for academic success and fulfilling lives. The foundation of the Vanguard experience is based on our core values – rigor, responsibility, and respect. The community of Vanguard students, faculty, administrators, and parents is committed to a personalized learning experience that prepares each student to excel at the collegiate level.

Core Values

Rigor: Our collegiate-style campus and small class sizes provide students with the academic freedom to discover intellectual and personal passions through a demanding curriculum taught by motivated educators. Beyond a robust regimen of core subjects, our students are challenged by their peers and the faculty to explore the meaning of complex information and to apply knowledge in the service of their communities and careers.

Responsibility: We develop responsible students by entrusting them with an age-appropriate degree of freedom, balanced with clearly defined standards of behavior and accountability. The interaction of freedom and accountability between students, faculty, and administration helps each student exercise the integrity, self-discipline, and responsibility necessary for success at the collegiate level.

Respect: We provide a supportive, safe environment for our students. The foundation of this environment is based on mutual respect among individuals, students, faculty, parents, and the administration. The culture of mutual respect extends beyond the classroom onto the campus, athletic fields, the students’ homes, and the surrounding community. Our students’ self-respect and their respect for others are foundational to success in any endeavor after Vanguard.

Academics

Middle School Requirements

7th Grade Required Courses

Language Arts 7
Mathematics 7 or Pre-Algebra (placement based on math skills assessment)
Earth Science
Texas History
Introduction to Fine Arts
Physical Education

8th Grade Requirement Courses

Language Arts 8
Transition to Algebra or Algebra I (placement by teacher recommendation)
Physical Science
World Geography
Technology Literacy
Introduction to Latin
Physical Education

Students may elect to take a music course or they may take a study mod during the 7th and 8th Grade years.

High School Requirements

Students must earn 24 credits.

English – 4 credits
Mathematics – 4 credits (must include Geometry and Algebra II)
Computer and Technology – 1 credit
Science – 3 credits (must include Biology I and Chemistry I)
Social Science – 3 credits (must include World History, U.S. History, Government/Eco)
Foreign Language – 2 credits (must be from the same foreign language)
Fine Arts – 1 credit
Speech – 1/2 credit
College Prep Seminar – 1 credit
Physical Education – 1.5 credits
Health – 1/2 credit
Electives – 2.5 credits

Any core curriculum course taken beyond the graduation requirements counts as an elective. The following courses can also count as electives:

Dual credit courses such as Psychology and Sociology
Journalism
Yearbook

Note: Each year, a student must be enrolled in at least 5 courses other than study mod or physical education. All students must be enrolled in a mathematics course each semester at Vanguard.
These requirements represent the minimum qualifications for graduation. Most Vanguard students take more than the minimum, and they are encouraged to do so.

Student Clubs/Activities, 2009-2010

Clubs

Chemical Society
Chess Club
Drama Club
Environmental Club
Spanish Club
Vanguard Club

Competitions

Challenge Team
Debate
Knowledge Master
Mock Trial
TAPPs Academic
TAPPs Art

Student Government

Class Officers
Honor Council
Student Council

Honor Societies

Mu Alpha Theta
National Honor Society
National Junior Honor Society
National Junior Forensic League

Publications

Bifrost
Liquid Paper
Vanguard Review

Accreditation

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, as well as approved by the Texas Education Agency.

Memberships

National Association of Independent Schools, Southern Association of Independent Schools, Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools, Texas Association of Non-Public Schools, The College Board, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Association of College Admission Counseling, Texas Association of College Admission Counseling and Texas Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development

School Profile