Victoria ISD is opening even more doors for students to earn college credit in high school through an expanded dual credit pathway. This year, we are launching Freshman 2 Freshman (F2F), a new initiative designed to make getting started with college simpler, earlier, and more supportive for every VISD student.
This fall, current VISD 8th graders and freshmen have the opportunity to commit to the F2F initiative. Once accepted, students can register for one or more of the four curated courses available for their first dual credit courses, officially becoming part of F2F Cohort 1.
VISD is committed to ensuring cost is not a barrier for any student. All VISD students will have access to dual credit at no cost to families. VISD wants every student to take advantage of dual credit. That commitment reflects our belief that college-level opportunities should be available to every student who is ready to take that step.
What makes F2F different is the structure and support built into the experience. Courses are curated in a clear, semester-by-semester pathway and offered as traditional, face-to-face classes on VISD high school campuses through students’ junior year. That means students learn alongside classmates they know and with a schedule that fits their high school day. A major benefit of being part of a F2F cohort is the built-in community. Students move through the sequence together, share study habits and course tips, and fast-track through lower-division college courses that count toward future degrees and industry pathways.
Why F2F?
Our district is committed to fostering an environment that prioritizes student success and community growth. We are focused on four key goals: increasing college readiness by equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed for higher education, reducing the time and cost it takes to earn a degree, ensuring that our programs align with the needs of our regional workforce, and expanding equitable access to advanced coursework for all students.
While F2F is a new on-ramp for incoming and current ninth-graders, dual credit remains open and available to a wide range of students across our high schools. Current sophomores and juniors can continue to enroll in dual credit courses during course selection in the spring semester. Students can work with their counselors to develop a plan that meets their needs.
Looking ahead, every incoming freshman class will have the opportunity to join a new F2F cohort. Parents and students will receive information about F2F in the fall of every school year, and students sign up for dual credit during their regular course selection window in the spring.
Victoria College application support: Campuses will host sessions to help student submit their Victoria College applications.
Course selection and advising: After acceptance, students will meet with counselors and advisors to choose an appropriate first course for spring.
Ongoing communication: Families will receive checklists, key dates, and reminders so nothing is missed from VISD.
Getting started is straightforward. Watch for campus announcements about the October application window. If your student is not a freshman but is ready for dual credit now, reach out to your child’s counselor to discuss options and the scheduling process.
By starting early, progressing with a supportive cohort, and following a clear pathway, VISD students can earn meaningful college credit and even graduate with an associate's degree before high school graduation, build confidence in college-level work, and reduce both time and cost on the road to a certificate or a bachelor's degree.
We are excited to launch F2F and to continue growing dual credit opportunities for every student who is ready to take the next step.
Ashley Alvarez is the executive director of communications for VISD.