Online Schools in Texas

Full time online schools have been available to Texas students for years, serving students who needed more flexibility in their learning environment. The pandemic put a spotlight on virtual school and created opportunities for new online schools to open. As a result, 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. 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 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 grades 3–12. In addition, students must have been enrolled in a public school in Texas during the previous school year—but there is 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.

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 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—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—rated B
Apply online
Follow on Facebook and Instagram

Extended 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 within the district’s portal.

Founders Classical Academy Online

Founders Classical Academy Online is a virtual school offered by ResponsiveEd that opened in November 2021. During the 2023–24 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 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 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 2–12. 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. School report card—rated C. Apply online.

To learn more about the Great Hearts classical education model, read our blog post about Great Hearts Online, our 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 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–9. Apply online.

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 STEM education model, read our blog post 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 them 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 them on X (Twitter).

Leander ISD Virtual Learning Academy

Virtual Learning Academy is an online school offered by Leander ISD. They serve students in grades K–8. Apply online. Follow them on Facebook.

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–7. School report card—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.

Reclaim Academy

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

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).

Virtual Academy of North Texas

Virtual Academy of North Texas is an online school offered by White Settlement ISD. They serve students in grades K–10. Apply online and learn more in the FAQ. Follow them on Facebook.

More changes are coming 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.

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.