District officials confirmed June 7 they were no longer planning to offer a virtual school program in 2021-22 because the Texas Legislature did not pass legislation that would have funded online learning offered through public school districts by May 31.
Originally posted May 10
Students living in the district’s boundaries who are entering grades 4-12 in 2021-22 could have the opportunity to attend Cy-Fair ISD Virtual School in the coming school year, Chief Academic Officer Linda Macias said at the May 10 board meeting.
The tuition-free, full-time virtual school would be a new standalone school in the district. Macias said this program is only a proposed plan at this time, and officials will not launch it if state lawmakers do not approve full funding of virtual learning for public school districts.
“Our intention is to launch a successful virtual school,” she said.
This new school has an application process and is designed for students who have performed or have the potential to perform well in the virtual environment, officials said. Parents are asked to commit to the full school year and will not be permitted to move between virtual and in-person enrollment throughout the year, Macias said.
Eligibility factors include students being in grades 4-12 living in CFISD’s boundaries with a class average of 80 or better in all coursework and a 90% or higher daily attendance rate from the previous school year. Additional consideration may include prior academic success in a virtual learning environment as well as behavior and discipline history.
Macias said the district is doing away with the hybrid learning environment students and teachers experienced in 2020-21. CFISD Virtual School would have dedicated teachers leading scheduled, two-way, live instruction from the Brautigam Center on Jones Road, she said.
CFISD Virtual School would feature the district’s core curriculum and limited opportunities for electives, dual-credit, Advanced Placement and career and technical education pathways, officials said. Students would take required state assessments and have the opportunity to participate in virtual clubs and organizations.
The application window is open May 12-June 1, and Macias said job postings for the new school will be posted soon. Visit www.cfisd.net for more information.
