Vista Ridge High School (Texas)

Vista Ridge High School
Location
200 South Vista Ridge Blvd.
Cedar Park, TX 78613

Williamson County, Texas

United States
Coordinates30°30′59″N 97°47′13″W / 30.51652°N 97.78698°W / 30.51652; -97.78698
Information
TypePublic school
Motto"Preparing our students to be the best for the world."[2]
Established2003[3]
School districtLeander Independent School District
PrincipalDr. Keith Morgan[1]
Teaching staff169.67 (FTE)[4]
Grades9–12
Enrollment2,496 (2025–2026)[4]
Student to teacher ratio15.42[4]
CampusSuburban
Colors      Red, Black & Silver
Athletics conferenceUIL Class 6A (2016–), Class 5A (2014–2016), Class 4A (2010–2014), Class 5A (2008–2010), Class 4A (2006–2008), TAPPS (2003–2006)
NicknameRangers
Websitevrhs.leanderisd.org

Vista Ridge High School (VRHS) is a high school in Cedar Park, Texas. Founded in 2003, it serves as the third high school in the Leander Independent School District (LISD). The school graduated its inaugural class, known as the "Alpha" class, in 2007. Vista Ridge was built to accommodate the rapid growth of the area and has continued to expand with additions such as its auditorium and John Gupton Stadium. Vista Ridge is part of the 6A UIL conference as of the 2025–2026 school year.

Demographics

The demographic breakdown of the 2,617 students enrolled for the 2025–2026 school year was:[5]

  • White – 42.2%
  • Hispanic – 26.4%
  • Asian – 21.2%
  • Two or More Races – 5.5%
  • Black – 3.6%
  • American Indian/Alaska Native – 0.3%
  • Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander – 0.1%[6]


Campus

Vista Ridge High School is located in southern Cedar Park on a suburban campus that supports a wide range of academic and extracurricular programs. The school includes academic wings, science laboratories, computer labs, a library, and fine arts facilities including a dedicated auditorium.[7]

An auditorium addition was completed in 2013 to expand the school’s performing arts capacity.[7] The campus is adjacent to John Gupton Stadium, which opened in 2010 and is used for football, soccer, and marching band events.[8]

Beginning in 2025, Vista Ridge High School underwent a multi‑phase modernization project funded by a district bond. Renovations included new HVAC systems, updated lighting, flooring replacement, restroom upgrades, library improvements, and modernization of CTE and ROTC spaces.[9] Construction progressed through 2025–2026, with several phases completed ahead of the 2026 school year.

History

Since its founding in 2003,[10] the campus has expanded to accommodate the rapid growth of Cedar Park, including the construction of an auditorium addition in 2013[7] and the John Gupton Stadium, which opened in 2010.[8]

In October 2024, a 17-year-old student from the school was charged with animal cruelty in connection with the death of a goat (named Willie) at the school's Future Farmers of America (FFA) agricultural facility. According to police reports and security footage , the student used a syringe to administer pesticide to the animal. The incident received national media attention.[11][12][13]

Feeder Schools

The following middle schools feed into VRHS according to official district attendance zones:

  • Artie Henry Middle School (majority)[14]
  • Florence Stiles Middle School (minority)[15]
  • Cedar Park Middle School (minority)[15]
  • Running Brushy Middle School (minority)[15]
  • Bernice Knox Wiley Middle School (minority)[15]

Academics

Science

Vista Ridge High School has maintained a dominant presence in the [(Greater Austin Regional Science and Engineering Fair)] (GARSEF), which serves as the regional qualifier for the [(International Science and Engineering Fair)].[16] The school secured its 12th Sweepstakes award in 2020, outperforming 38 other high schools in the senior division.[17] Success has continued into the 2020s, with Vista Ridge winning the Sweepstakes Award again in 2021 and 2022.[18] Multiple students also regularly qualify for the [(Texas Science and Engineering Fair)] and international competition, including multiple "Best of Fair" honors in 2023.[19]


Extra-curricular

The school's NJROTC program, known as the Lone Star Company, has held the Distinguished Unit with Academic Honors designation since 2012. It consistently ranks as a top program within Navy Area 10, earning the #1 ranking in Texas in 2023.[20] The unit maintains competitive teams in air rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed drill, color guard, orienteering, and physical training (PT)[21], and it frequently competes in the national CyberPatriot cybersecurity competition.[22]

Ranger Marching Band

The Ranger Marching Band was invited to perform in the 2023 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, where they were the sole representative from the state of Texas.[23] The band has earned numerous honors in University Interscholastic League (UIL) and Bands of America (BOA) competitions::

  • UIL 6A Texas State Marching Band Champions: 2018[24]
  • UIL 6A Area H Champions: 2018, 2021, 2022, 2025[25]
  • Bands of America Grand National Finalist: 2021 (12th place overall)[26]
  • Bands of America Midland Regional Champions: 2019[27]
  • Bands of America Austin Regional Awards: Best Visual Performance (2018)[28], Best Music Performance (Class AAA, 2016)


Robotics

Vista Ridge High School maintains a competitive robotics program consisting of four FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) teams: Static Void (6990), Victorian Voltage (7797), Rogue Resistance (9527), and Chaotic Current (21438).[29] The program utilizes a specialized team structure where students are divided into hardware, software, and marketing departments led by student Project Managers (PM).[30]

The teams represent the school in the FTC DECODE league and have a history of high-level competition success. Rogue Resistance won the UIL 6A State Championship in 2023,[31] and Victorian Voltage earned a state championship in 2019.[32] In 2026, Chaotic Current placed second overall in the UIL 6A division at the Texas State Cup.[33]


Theatre

The school's theatre department, known as Stage Flight Theatre, has been a frequent recipient of honors from the Heller Awards for Young Artists (formerly the Greater Austin High School Musical Theatre Awards). Major honors include:

  • Best Musical Direction: Once Upon a Mattress (2025)[34], Urinetown (2024)[35], and The Drowsy Chaperone (2023)[36].
  • Best Orchestra: Urinetown (2024)[37].
  • Best Lead Performance: Anabelle Crawford in The Drowsy Chaperone (2023)[38].
  • Supporting & Featured Honors: Chanse Solis in Urinetown (2024)[39]; Jack Stratton and Crystal Sin in The Drowsy Chaperone (2023); Ryan Mills in Spamalot (2019)[40]; and Logan Caraway in Thoroughly Modern Millie (2017)[41].
  • Technical & Design Achievement: Best Costumes for The Little Mermaid (2020)[42], Best Technical Execution for Young Frankenstein (2016)[43], and Student Design for Beauty and the Beast (2015)[41].

Notable alumni

References

  1. ^ Leander ISD News (January 19, 2024). "Leander ISD Welcomes Vista Ridge High School Principal". Leander ISD News. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  2. ^ "Vista Ridge High School - VRHS Principal's Office". Leander Independent School District. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  3. ^ "Vista Ridge High School: About Us". Leander Independent School District. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  4. ^ a b c "UIL HS Enrollment Numbers 2025" (PDF). Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  5. ^ "Vista Ridge High School - Student Demographics". The Texas Tribune. April 15, 2026. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  6. ^ "Compare Vista Ridge High School with Cedar Park High School". HAR.com. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  7. ^ a b c "Auditorium Addition at Vista Ridge High School" (PDF). Pickett, Kelm & Associates, Inc. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
  8. ^ a b "John Gupton Stadium". TexasBob.com. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
  9. ^ "Bond: Vista Ridge HS". Leander ISD. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
  10. ^ "Bond: Vista Ridge HS". Leander ISD. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
  11. ^ "Student charged in goat's death at Vista Ridge High School". KXAN Austin. December 5, 2024. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  12. ^ Sanders, Hank (January 4, 2025). "Texas Teen Killed Goat at School Barn Used for Livestock Contests, Police Say". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  13. ^ Brolley, Tara (December 6, 2024). "Teen charged for allegedly poisoning classmate's goat at Vista Ridge High". KEYE. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  14. ^ "Attendance Zones - Leander ISD". Leander Independent School District. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  15. ^ a b c d "Vista Ridge Feeder Schools to Provide Feedback on Student Experience". Leander ISD News. January 31, 2020. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  16. ^ "Greater Austin Regional Science and Engineering Fair". austinscience.org. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
  17. ^ "Austin Energy Regional Science Festival 2020" (PDF). Austin Now. City of Austin Utilities. April 2020. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  18. ^ Greater Austin Regional Science and Engineering Fair (February 24, 2022). Austin Energy Regional Science Festival 2022 - Senior Division. Event occurs at 1:54. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  19. ^ Leander ISD News (March 21, 2023). "LISD Students Qualify to Compete in State Science Fair". Leander ISD News. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  20. ^ Leander ISD News (May 11, 2023). "Vista Ridge Lone Star NJROTC Named #1 in Navy Area 10". Leander ISD News. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  21. ^ "LoneStar NJROTC Booster Club: Our Story". Lone Star NJROTC Booster Club. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  22. ^ Ritchie, Bryce (March 23, 2023). "Vista Ridge cybersecurity team advances to nationals, taking off to Maryland". Hill Country News. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  23. ^ Leander ISD News (January 2, 2023). "Vista Ridge HS Band Shines in Rose Parade". Leander ISD News. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  24. ^ Kendall, Jennifer (November 7, 2018). "Vista Ridge Ranger Band wins first place at state competition". FOX 7 Austin. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  25. ^ "6A Area H Marching Band Contest Official Results" (PDF). University Interscholastic League. October 25, 2025. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  26. ^ "2021 Grand National Championships Results". Music for All. November 13, 2021. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  27. ^ "2019 West Texas Regional Championship Results". Music for All. October 12, 2019. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  28. ^ "2018 Austin Regional Championship Results". Music for All. September 29, 2018. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  29. ^ "Chaotic Current: About Us". Chaotic Current Robotics. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  30. ^ "Leander ISD High School Robotics Teams Close Out Strong Competition Season". Leander ISD News. May 31, 2023. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  31. ^ Cite error: The named reference LISD2023 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  32. ^ "Vandegrift, Vista Ridge high schools part of UIL state-winning robotics team". Leander ISD News. April 9, 2019. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  33. ^ "Vista Ridge Robotics State Cup Results". Vista Ridge High School Official Instagram. March 30, 2026. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  34. ^ "2025 Heller Awards for Young Artists Winners Revealed". BroadwayWorld. April 17, 2025. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  35. ^ "Theatre Students Sparkle at the Heller Awards for Young Artists". Leander ISD News. April 18, 2024. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  36. ^ "#1LISD High Schools Perform and Win Big at 10th Heller Awards Ceremony". Leander ISD News. April 21, 2023. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  37. ^ "Theatre Students Sparkle at the Heller Awards for Young Artists". Leander ISD News. April 18, 2024. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  38. ^ "#1LISD High Schools Perform and Win Big at 10th Heller Awards Ceremony". Leander ISD News. April 21, 2023. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  39. ^ "Theatre Students Sparkle at the Heller Awards for Young Artists". Leander ISD News. April 18, 2024. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  40. ^ "The Heller Awards Past Winners - 2019". The Heller Awards. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  41. ^ a b "The Heller Awards for Young Artists - Archive". Texas Performing Arts. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  42. ^ "Celebrating the Heller Awards for Young Artists and our 2020 Award Recipients". The Long Center. June 1, 2020. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  43. ^ "Congratulations to Greater Austin High School Musical Theatre Awards Winners". Austin American-Statesman. September 14, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  44. ^ "Jacksonville Jaguars Roster". Retrieved August 19, 2018.
  45. ^ "Will Licon Bio".
  46. ^ Shelton, Khiry. "Khiry Shelton". MLSsoccer.com. NA. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  47. ^ "Japreece Dean - Women's Basketball". UCLA.
  48. ^ "Taylor McHargue joins CBS Sports as college football analyst". MLive. August 2024. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
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