Online Schools in Texas

Full time online schools have been available to Texas students for decades, serving students who need more flexibility in their learning environment. During the Covid-19 pandemic, students gained access to even more opportunities for virtual learning. Our new reality is that more families than ever are looking at online public schools in Texas as a viable solution.

Full-time online schools for kids have already solved many of the issues that crop up when families switch to distance learning: how to deliver supplies, books, and technology to homes; establishing a structured school day; guiding interaction and relationships between teachers and students; and building a sense of community. If homeschooling seems daunting, then online schools are an appealing alternative because the programs include TEKS-aligned curriculum and support from experienced teachers. We have prepared this guide to help you understand the range of accredited, tuition-free public online schools in Texas. If you need more information to guide your decision, then we also encourage you to join the San Antonio Charter Moms discussion group on Facebook to ask questions of other parents and caregivers.

Features of Full-Time Online Public Schools for Kids

Full-time online school is a public education, but in a different packaging. Like homeschooling, there is no centralized school building, and students work on school wherever they are—at home, at the gym or studio, at work, or when traveling. Like other public schools, full-time online school is free—there are no tuition costs. Students enrolled in full-time online school take all of the state-mandated standardized tests (i.e., STAAR and end of course exams). Online schools are required to enroll students with functional needs and provide them with the services they need. The teachers are Texas-certified and trained in online instruction.

In Texas, there are some limits on which students are eligible for full-time online school. For most of the history of online schools in Texas, eligibility has been limited to students in grades 3–12. In addition, students must have been enrolled in a public school in Texas during the previous school year—with an exception for military dependents. During the pandemic, these requirements were waived, allowing students in grades K–2 to enroll, as well as students who are new to public education.

Before and after the pandemic, there are many longstanding reasons why a family might choose full time online school. Students with functional needs, including medical needs, sometimes benefit a flexible learning schedule. For students who have experienced bullying, online school can provide a safer environment to rebuild their mental and emotional health. Students who are high achievers—in music, dance, gymnastics, or sports—appreciate the customizable schedules of full-time online school. Military families who move away from Texas, but plan to return, can stick with TEKS-aligned curriculum by enrolling in a Texas full time online school while posted overseas.

This post focuses on public full-time online schools. There are also private online schools. Also, students can choose from a catalog of online courses to pursue part-time online school.

Full-Time Online Public Schools for Texas Students

In Texas, all of the public full-time online schools have ties to a public school entity—either a traditional public school district or a charter school network. The Texas Virtual School Network, managed by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), currently includes online schools that are open to students all across Texas.

Digital Academy of Texas

Offered by Texarkana ISD
Serves grades 5–12
Reestablished in 2019 (also operated 2011–15)
School report card (2022)—not rated
Apply online
Follow on Facebook and Instagram

iSchool Virtual Academy of Texas

Offered by ResponsiveEd (Texas College Preparatory Academies and Premier High Schools)
Serves grades 3–12
Established in 2008
District report card (2022)—rated B
Apply online
Follow on Facebook and Instagram

Extending Virtual Options

In response to the pandemic, legislators and regulators opened new avenues for Texas families who are seeking full time online virtual school options. These new programs are open to students as young as kindergarten, and there is no prior public requirement—i.e., students don’t have to prove they were previously enrolled in a Texas public school to be eligible. They are authorized by the Texas Education Agency through the 2024–25 school year.

Conroe Virtual School

Conroe Virtual School is an online school offered by Conroe ISD serving students in grades 4–9. Apply online for an intra-district transfer. Follow Conroe Virtual School on Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter).

eSchool Prep Academy

eSchool Prep Academy is a statewide virtual school offered by Fort Stockton ISD. They serve students in grades K–8. Apply online. Follow eSchool Prep Academy on Facebook and Instagram.

Forney Virtual Academy

Forney Virtual Academy is an online school offered by Forney ISD serving students in grades 9–12. Apply online.

Founders Classical Academy Online

Founders Classical Academy Online is a full-time online school offered by ResponsiveEd that opened in November 2021. During the 2024–25 school year, Founders Classical Academy Online is serving students in grades K–8 across Texas and Arkansas. To learn more about the Founders Classical Academy education model, read our blog post about Founders Classical Academy Online, as well as our enrollment guide for Founders Classical Academy of Schertz, a bricks-and-mortar campus located in the San Antonio area. Follow Founders Classical Academy Online on Facebook and Instagram.

Goose Creek Virtual Academy

Goose Creek Virtual Academy is an online school offered by Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District (GCCISD) serving students in grades K–12 who live within district boundaries. Apply online. Follow them on Facebook.

Great Hearts Online—Texas

Great Hearts Online—Texas is a virtual school offered by Great Hearts Academies. During the 2023–24 school year, Great Hearts Online is serving students in grades K–9, and will expand to grades K–12. On their most recent school report card (2022), they earned a C rating. Apply online.

To learn more about the Great Hearts classical education model, read our blog post about Great Hearts Online—Texas, as well as our enrollment guide to Great Hearts Texas bricks-and-mortar schools. Follow Great Hearts Online—Texas on Facebook and Great Hearts Online on Instagram.

Greyhounds Online Academy

Greyhounds Online Academy is a virtual school offered by San Benito Consolidated Independent School District (SBCISD). They serve students in grades K–10. Apply online. Follow GO Academy on Facebook.

Harmony Virtual Academy

Harmony Virtual Academy is an online school offered by Harmony Public Schools serving students in grades K–12. Apply online. To learn more about the Harmony Public Schools and their STEM learning model, read our enrollment guide about Harmony Public Schools bricks-and-mortar schools in San Antonio. Follow Harmony Virtual Academy on Facebook.

Hutto Virtual Academy

Hutto Virtual Academy is an online school offered by Hutto ISD. They serve in-district and out-of-district transfer students in grades 6–12. Apply online. Follow Hutto Virtual Academy on Facebook.

iLearn Virtual Academy at Dallas ISD

iLearn Virtual Academy is an online school offered by Dallas ISD. They serve students in grades 3–8. Apply online. Follow iLearn Virtual Academy on X (Twitter).

Lone Star Online Academy

Lone Star Online Academy is a virtual school offered by Roscoe Collegiate Independent School District (RCISD). They serve students in grades K–8. On their most recent school report card (2022), they were not rated. Apply online. Follow them on Facebook and YouTube.

Lone Star Virtual Academy

Lone Star Virtual Academy is a virtual school offered by Fort Stockton ISD. They serve students in grades 9–12. Apply online. Follow Lone Star Virtual Academy on Facebook and Instagram.

South Texas ISD Virtual Academy

South Texas ISD Virtual Academy is an online school offered by South Texas ISD. They serve grades 6–12. Apply online. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter).

Trinity Charter School—Tyler Reclaim Academy

Reclaim Academy is a virtual school offered by Trinity Charter Schools. They serve students in grades 9–12. Apply online. Learn more about them on YouTube.

Special-Purpose Districts

Two of the top research universities in Texas offer tuition-free, full-time online schools via special purpose districts authorized by the TEA.

Texas Tech University K–12

Texas Tech University K–12, offered by Texas Tech University since 1993, offers a full-time online school and Credit by Exam (CBE). As you can tell from the name, TTU K–12 serves students in grades K–12. On their most recent district report card and school report card (both from 2022), they earned A ratings. Apply online. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

University of Texas High School

UT High School is a full-time online school offered by the University of Texas at Austin since 1999. They serve students in grades 9–12. On their most recent district report card and school report card (both from 2022), they earned B ratings. Apply online. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube. Note: UT High School is different from UT Charter School.

University of Texas at Austin UT High School

Full-time online schools in Texas will continue to evolve as the Texas Legislature, the TEA, independent school districts, and charter schools respond to families’ educational needs. The San Antonio Charter Moms discussion group on Facebook is a good place to find up-to-date information and ask questions of other parents and caregivers.