They have been around for years, but with the world turned upside down due to the pandemic, now 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 have been causing trouble for brick-and-mortar schools and for families that are new 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.
During the current school year, families are facing a lot of uncertainty about when campuses will be open and what procedures will be followed. Some families are considering withdrawing their children from their former schools so they can have more control over their schedules. If homeschooling seems daunting, then online schools are an appealing alternative because the programs include TEKS-aligned curriculum and support from experienced teachers. If you are curious about online schools but need more information to guide your decision, then we are here to help; you may also wish 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 school building, and students work on school wherever they are—at home, at work, or even 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 special 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, unfortunately, on which students are eligible for full-time online school.
- Limited to grades 3–12 (although there appears to be a new exception—more below in Recent Changes)
- Students must have been enrolled in a public school in Texas during the previous school year—but there is an exception for military dependents.
Even before the pandemic, there are many reasons why a family might choose full time online school. Special needs, including medical needs, sometimes require a flexible learning schedule. Students who are high achievers—in music, dance, gymnastics, sports, or another pursuit—appreciate the fluidity 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 has six members. These online schools are open to students all across Texas.
eSchool Prep
- Texarkana ISD
- Serves grades 5–11
- Reestablished 2019 (also operated 2011–15)
- School report card—not rated (new)
- Information sessions
- Apply online
iSchool Virtual Academy of Texas
- ResponsiveEd (Texas College Preparatory Academies)
- Serves grades 3–12
- Established in 2008
- District report card—rated B
- Apply online
iUniversity Prep
- Grapevine-Colleyville ISD
- Serves grades 5–12
- Established in 2013
- School report card—rated A
- Information sessions
- Apply online
Texas Connections Academy at Houston
- Houston ISD
- Serves grades 3–12
- Established in 2008
- School report card—rated C
- Information sessions
- Apply online
Texas Online Preparatory School (TOPS)
- Huntsville ISD
- Serves grades 3–12
- Established in 2013
- School report cards: elementary—rated D; middle—rated C; high—rated C
- Information sessions
- Apply online
Texas Virtual Academy at Hallsville (TVAH)
- Hallsville ISD
- Serves grades 3–12
- Established in 2014
- School report card—rated D
- Information sessions
- Apply online
Expanded Online School Offerings Due to the Pandemic
In response to the pandemic, legislators and regulators have 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.
Founders Classical Academy Virtual is a virtual school offered by ResponsiveEd that opened in November 2021. During the 2021–22 school year, Founders Classical Academy Virtual is serving students in grades K–8. To learn more about the Founders Classical Academy education model, read our blog post about Founders Classical Academy Virtual and our blog post about Founders Classical Academy of Schertz, a bricks-and-mortar campus located in the San Antonio area. Follow Founders Classical Academy Virtual on Facebook and Instagram.
Great Hearts Online—Texas is a virtual school offered by Great Hearts that opened in January 2021. During the 2022–23 school year, Great Hearts Online is serving students in grades K–8, and will expand to high school. To learn more about the Great Hearts classical education model, read our blog post about Great Hearts Online, blog post about Great Hearts Microschools, and our enrollment guide to Great Hearts Texas bricks-and-mortar schools. Follow Great Hearts Online—Texas on Facebook.
School of Science and Technology Online Academy is a virtual school offered by the School of Science and Technology (SST) in partnership with TTU K–12, a unit of the Texas Tech University eLearning & Academic Partnerships division. During the 2022–23 school year, SST Online Academy is serving students in grades 5–6. To learn more about the education model at SST, which is focused on STEM and character education, read our enrollment guide to SST bricks-and-mortar schools.
More changes are coming as the TEA, 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.
Charter Moms Chats
Shea Mackin is the mother of four boys, and has experience with full time online school going back to 2009. She is the Texas lead and serves on the board of the National Coalition for Public School Options. Listen to her interview with Inga Cotton on Charter Moms Chats.
Read More About Online Schools for Kids
- “Great Hearts Microschools Offer Flexibility and a Sense of Community,” Kurtis Indorf, San Antonio Charter Moms, March 29, 2022
- “Guide to Enrolling at Founders Classical Academy Virtual,” San Antonio Charter Moms, March 24, 2022
- “Great Hearts Online: Classical Education in a Fully Online School,” San Antonio Charter Moms, March 22, 2022
- “Incarnate Word Virtual High School Offers Catholic Online School for Girls,” Anne Schaefer-Salinas, San Antonio Charter Moms, August 18, 2021
- “Choosing Online Private Schools,” San Antonio Charter Moms, May 13, 2021
- “The Ultimate Guide to Online School—How Does Online School Work?,” School Choice Week, August 14, 2020
- “Virtual school, personal school,” Andrew Campanella, School Choice Week, December 20, 2019
- “Drew’s story: Why one family tried online school and hasn’t stopped yet,” Savanna Buckner, School Choice Week, December 20, 2019
- “Virtual schools are a valuable option. SB 1455 is a big step back,” Shea Mackin, Austin American-Statesman, May 1, 2019
- “Texas Capitol Day,” National Coalition for Public School Options, March 2019
- Texas Virtual School Network—Online Schools
- Texas Virtual School Network—Online Schools Program, Texas Education Agency
- National Coalition for Public School Options—Texas Chapter (and Facebook)
- “Virtual School,” Fun4AlamoKids