Keller ISD will offer a virtual learning option for district high school students with the start of the 2027-28 school year, according to a presentation from Chief Academic Officer Jennifer Price during the Aug. 27 regular meeting.
What’s happening?
In the presentation, Price said the district was able to implement a framework to operate a full-time hybrid program for both on-campus and online learning through the 89th Texas Legislature via Senate Bill 569 and Texas Education Code Chapter 30B.
This allows students who might otherwise leave the district to remain in the district instead of leaving for homeschooling or another virtual option, according to the presentation. Out of four possible virtual learning options, Price said KISD looked at the full-time hybrid option over the full-time virtual option, the individual options and the virtual or hybrid campus option.
The model could be beneficial for students who are part of athletics, fine arts and Career and Technical Education programs, Price said. It is also available for students who need to take an extended leave from school due to medical or personal reasons.
High school students will remain enrolled at their main campus, but they can choose to take courses online. District teachers who want to work in a virtual setting would be the instructors, and funding would come through online attendance and completion of coursework.
“This allows the students to stay connected to all the events that take place at their high school,” Price said.
She added that the hybrid model allows students to still utilize classes in settings like the Keller Center for Advanced Learning while having the flexibility of online learning for other classes.
Zooming in
The current timeline for rolling out the hybrid virtual program is as follows:
July-August: Committee work begins
August-September: Interest surveys will be conducted, officials work with Long-Range Planning Committee on proposals and logistics
Fall 2026: Officials hold informal sessions, publish virtual course catalogue, registration begins in October
Spring 2027: Continue working with Long-Range Planning Committee, recruit and hire staff, parent/student information sessions held
Summer 2027: Teacher training, student onboarding, program launch
Price said part of the logistics and proposals being developed with the Long-Range Planning Committee is making sure the virtual classes are feasible and that students stay on track and don’t fall behind.
She added that the district will start small with a hybrid model and then look into a fully virtual option in the future. A survey on the virtual program can be found on KISD’s website and is open to parents and students until Sept. 18.
