VAHS Front

VAHS Front

Voyager Academy High School News, Sept. 11, 2026

 


GO VIKINGS GO!

In this issue...

New This Week

  • SPIRIT WEEK At VAHS Is Coming Soon!
  • Simplifying Your Senior's Path to College with NC College Connect
  • Save The Date: The Senior Year Essentials Workshop 9/22/26
  • Under The Northern Lights: The VAHS Semiformal 9/26/26

Recent News Items

  • Build Essential Life Skills: Register for LIFE Skills’ Free Fall Program
  • Attention Juniors & Seniors: Tuition-Free College Classes Through Durham Tech CCP
  • Purchase You Parking Pass Now
  • Free Parent Workshops: Little-Known Secrets of Paying for College

Helpful Resources

  • How To Stay Up-To-The-Minute With Your Student’s Grades: Become a “Parent Observer” on His/Her Canvas Account
  • Stay Connected with Our Voyager Community Calendar
  • Bring Your Laptop!
  • How To Purchase Viking Gear
  • The Voyager Academy High School Website
  • VAHS Counseling Department Blog
  • Voyager Academy Student/Parent Handbook
  • Important dates

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SPIRIT WEEK At VAHS Is Coming Soon!

SPIRIT WEEK at VAHS is the week of September 21st - 24th!
We have dress up days, an assembly on September 24th, an end of week dance, and more.
Monday Sept 21st - Celebrity Day
Tuesday Sept 22nd - 2016 Day
Wednesday Sept 23rd - Rhyme without Reason Day
Thursday Sept 24th - Pirates v. Princesses and an assembly at the end of the day
*Please remember attire should be school appropriate and not in violation of the handbook.



Simplifying Your Senior's Path to College with NC College Connect

We are excited to share a new state initiative that simplifies the college application process for our high school seniors: NC College Connect. On Monday, September 14, students will view an informational presentation during Advisory class detailing how this program works.
What is NC College Connect?
https://www.cfnc.org/education-professionals/nc-college-connect-ed/

NC College Connect offers direct admission to participating North Carolina colleges and universities without required essays, recommendation letters, or standard application fees.

NC Community Colleges: Every graduating senior on track to earn a diploma receives direct admission to their local NC community college.

4-Year Universities: Students with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or higher, who completed a fourth-level math, automatically qualify for direct admission to a customized list of 4-year public and independent universities.

Next Steps for Families

Verify CFNC Credentials: Ensure your student logs into CFNC.org to check that their name, birthdate, and student ID match their official school record (Infinite Campus) before eligibility data is pulled on September 9.

Review Offers Starting Sept. 15: Direct admission offers will be visible in students' CFNC accounts beginning September 15. Official offer letters will also be mailed home.

Claim Your Spot: Students can log into NCCollegeConnect.org to explore their matched schools and submit a short interest form. Direct admission offers are non-binding.


Click here for a flyer with all details.



Save The Date: The Senior Year Essentials Workshop 9/22/26

As graduation approaches, Senior families often have just as many questions about the future as their students. Join us for the Senior Year Essentials Workshop! This event features tailored breakout sessions based directly on topic requests from senior families. 


Senior families, keep an eye out for our upcoming survey to let us know what time you prefer and what topics matter most to you!



Under The Northern Lights: The VAHS Semiformal 9/26/26

What: VAHS Fall Semi-Formal Dance for grades 9-12
When: Saturday, September 26, 2026, 7-10pm
Where: Umstead Pines at Willowhaven, 253 Country Club Dr., Durham, NC 27712
Tickets: $20 per ticket (https://gofan.co/event/6875305?schoolId=NC12485)
(Tickets will be on sale through Wednesday, September 23rd; No ticket sales at the door!)
*Non-Voyager students can attend with a Voyager student upon approval. Guest ticket applications can be picked up from the front office or Mrs. Higdon B133 and returned no later than September 18th. If bringing a non-Voyager guest, don't purchase 2 tickets until the guest is approved.

Parents: We can use your help!
We are in need of food donations and chaperones. Here is the sign-up genius link.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0F45A8A823A5FD0-65739543-homecoming


Please contact Mrs. Higdon (thigdon@voyageracademy.net) with any questions




Build Essential Life Skills: Register for LIFE Skills’ Free Fall Program

Registration is now open for LIFE Skills Foundation’s Fall 2026 Independent Living Skills Program! Designed for youth ages 15–21, this free 10-week course provides practical tools to help young adults navigate adulthood with confidence.

Dates: Thursdays, Sept 17 – Nov 19, 2026 (5:30 PM – 7:00 PM)
Location: Echo NC, 404 Hunt St., Suite 500, Durham, NC
Topics: Financial capability, job readiness, health, nutrition, and communication skills.

Perk: Attendees who complete at least 8 sessions receive a $50 Visa Gift Card and a Certificate of Completion!

To sign up, complete the online registration form. For questions, contact Chyna Davis at chyna@lifeskillsfound.org or (919) 907-8418, or visit www.lifeskillsfound.org



Attention Juniors & Seniors: Tuition-Free College Classes Through Durham Tech CCP

Voyager Academy is excited to partner with Durham Tech to offer eligible high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to earn tuition-free college credits through the College & Career Promise (CCP) program. https://ccp.e451.durhamtech.edu/
If your student is interested in participating for the upcoming term, attending a mandatory information session is required before applying. Parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to attend as well.

What You'll Learn:

Program Overview: How to earn tuition-free college credits while fulfilling high school requirements.

Application Process: Step-by-step guidance on completing your application and submitting required forms.

Enrollment Requirements: Eligibility criteria, key deadlines, and available academic pathways.

How to Get Started:
Attendance at an info session hosted by Durham Tech College Liaison Arielle Beamon is the mandatory first step. Please review available dates and register using the link below:

Sign Up for a CCP Information Session https://visit.durhamtech.edu/event/477420

If you have any questions prior to registering, please feel free to reach out directly to Arielle Beamon at beamona@durhamtech.edu. We look forward to supporting our students as they take this exciting next step!



Purchase You Parking Pass Now

Find the Student Parking Application link here: 

Click here for the Voyager Academy H.S Student Parking Permit Application (required) 

$80 per year, and $40 per semester.


For instructions on how to pay, click here.



Free Parent Workshops: Little-Known Secrets of Paying for College

As we settle into the new school year, we want to share some  upcoming opportunities to help your family navigate the college funding process with clarity and confidence.
The College Funding Coach® offers valuable workshops and webinars designed to guide families through financial aid rules, smart funding strategies, and long-term planning. Whether your student is just starting high school or getting ready to apply, these sessions offer practical, actionable insights.
2026 Tuition Cents Series:
September 17: FAFSA 2026: What You Need to Know Before Filing

October 15: Demystifying the CSS Profile: What High-Cost Schools Really Ask

November 19: How to Find Scholarships That Your Child Can Actually Win!

December 17: How High-Income Families Can Pay for College and Retire Comfortably


How To Stay Up-To-The-Minute With Your Student’s Grades: Become a “Parent Observer” on His/Her Canvas Account

Click here to become an “Observer” in your child’s Canvas account. Once there, you can set it up to receive notifications about upcoming assignments, and grades just entered, keeping you updated on progress, daily.



Stay Connected with Our Voyager Community Calendar

Stay in the loop with our Community Calendar (https://www.voyageracademy.net/calendar/).your go-to spot for upcoming events, activities, important dates, and more. Bookmark it and check back often so you don’t miss what’s happening across our Voyager community!



Bring Your Laptop!

Hey Voyager Vikings, remember that Voyager Academy is Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) school. All students are required to bring their own device to school each day. Please click here for the Voyager Academy BYOD policy.  (Also found in the Voyager Academy Student/Parent Handbook).




How To Purchase Viking Gear

How to purchase Viking Gear!

https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/WNh8rYGBbD



Other Useful Sources of Information


The Voyager Academy High School Website

One of the first places to check for basic information about VAHS is the VAHS website.  Among the information you can find there are calendars and schedules, student clubs and organizations, faculty directory, the counseling page, special bulletins, etc. Here is the VAHS website:

http://voyageracademy.net/vahs


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VAHS Counseling Department Blog

Please be sure to check the VAHS Counseling Department blog frequently. The blog provides news, information, and opportunities for VAHS students and parents all in one convenient location. Topics range from Career/College Counseling and Application Support to Summer Programs and Opportunities. Check it out!


CLICK HERE FOR THE VAHS COUNSELING DEPT. BLOG



Voyager Academy Student/Parent Handbook



Important Dates


Dates

Events

Sept. 11

Teachers alert parents/students with grade below 60 

Sept. 16-18

NC Biology Check ins (diagnostic exams)

9/21-9/25

SPIRIT/HOMECOMING WEEK!!

Sept. 25

Parent/teacher conferences. Please contact teachers with whom you would like to meet.

Sept. 26

Under The Northern Lights: The VAHS Semiformal 7-10pm (Umstead Pines at Willowhaven, 253 Country Club Dr., Durham)

Oct.6

PSAT (optional  for 11th graders)

Oct. 8

Mid term exams for pds. 1 & 3 (regular bell schedule)

Oct. 9

Mid term exams for pds. 2 & 4 (regular bell schedule); End of 1st half of Fall semester

Oct. 12-16

NO CLASSES – Fall Break

Oct. 23

Report cards go out

Nov. 6

Teachers alert parents/students with grade below 60

Nov. 10

Pre ACT/CRAA (req. 10 th grade)

Nov. 11

NO CLASSES – Veterans Day

Nov. 16

Project Exhibition Day 2:00-3:15pm

Nov. 18-20

NC Biology Check ins (diagnostic exams)

Nov. 24-28

NO CLASSES - Thanksgiving Break

Dec.14-15

Teacher made final exams

Dec. 16-18

EOC exams

Jan. 5

First day of school for 2nd semester





VOYAGER VIKING VALUES

CONFIDENCE   -   CURIOSITY   -   EMPATHY

REFLECTION   -   INTEGRITY