The program will be available for students for the 2025-26 school year.
Zooming in
The online program, which consists of a four-hour schedule and an individualized learning plan for each student, will allow Argyle High School juniors and seniors who are considering withdrawing to stay on track for graduation while receiving support from school staff.
Students enter the program through a recommendation from a counselor, principal, special education teacher, self or parent request. The program is for both short-term absences—with the goal of transitioning back into mainstream learning environments—and long term absences, with the goal being graduation.
The cost
The program will cost $24,500. Funds will be supplemented by the district for the first year and will come from the Argyle High School budget in subsequent years.
Of the total, $21,300 will be used for Edgenuity Software, and $3,200 will be used for computer workstations.
The context
Argyle ISD staff initially presented the program at a June 16 meeting. It is designed to keep students at-risk of dropping out within the district. This not only gives students access to district programs and support, like counseling, but also increases district funding, which is based on average daily attendance.
Superintendent Courtney Carpenter said the board and district staff have noticed a trend of students withdrawing to attend virtual schools. Of the total number of students who withdrew from AISD in the 2024-25 school year, 40% continued their education in an online program, according to a district presentation.
AISD staff said the reasons students withdrew from Argyle High School included:
- In-patient mental health treatment
- Anxiety
- Pregnancy
- Family circumstances
- In-patient rehabilitation
- Separation from peers
- Health
“We're very excited, and it's definitely an opportunity for us to be committed to the needs of our students and offer something unique,” District Crisis Counselor Heather Quast said.
