Class Placement and Graduation Criteria
The Vanguard School is a unique learning environment compared to most traditional private and public schools. At Vanguard, we create an accepting and fulfilling environment where students connect to learning. We aim to create connections in understanding students from our admissions process to beyond graduation.
The initial evaluation for student enrollment includes a review of testing, parent discussions and questionnaire, referrals, formal application, consultation of counselors (if applicable), student experiential visit(s), and student interview. We work to understand the whole child in determining enrollment. While Vanguard School does strongly recommend neuropsychological testing, it is not mandated.
Historical and updated testing provides a window of performance, achievement, changes over time, behavior, and how each individual navigates and understands the world around them. This is key to the individualized learning experience. In addition, it helps to address recommended academic accommodations to allow Vanguard to create a holistic view of support for each student.
Every new student joining The Vanguard School will complete achievement testing when they enter Vanguard School, whether at the beginning of an academic year, semester, or term. This information is used to support and determine classroom placement for each student.
At Vanguard, our learning approach is based on student skill level. We provide core academics based on students' skill levels ranging from Modified to Honors. These skill-based classes each offer full accommodations but range in pace, intensity, rubric assessment, and higher-order thinking abilities for applicable academic work. This allows all students to receive instruction based on their individual needs and learning profile. Class placement is based on the Academic Team review and placement recommendations.
Each spring, The Vanguard School will administer and review achievement testing for all students to track progress and evaluate for re-enrollment class placement. Students can perform out of a classroom support level, and parents will be notified before the schedule changes to discuss the best interest of the student’s long-term goals.
Transcripts for each student will reflect the classes completed, grade, semester, and year. Transcripts will be sent with the most recent achievement scores to support the student's performance and demonstrate the areas of academic strengths and challenges. This is designed to provide information into accommodations for student success and support areas of strength for each student. All graduating seniors from The Vanguard School receive a standard academic diploma at graduation. Students must achieve a cumulative 2.0 or better grade point average from 9th through 12th grades and attend classes within the guidelines of The Vanguard School attendance policy.ions are set up for students to complete in four years and require students to achieve 2 All students are required to have 75 community service hours. Earning community service hours may be started in 9th grade.
Incoming students are required to submit their previous transcripts for evaluation. It is important to note that official transcripts are required for credit evaluation, and are requested during the admissions process. Parents can speak with the Principal or their Admissions Team Member if they have questions regarding credit requirements or retrieval of deficit credits.
Accreditation
The Vanguard School is accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS), NCA Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, Northwest Accreditation Commission, and Cognia AdvancED.
