Several major Texas school districts—including Cypress-Fairbanks, Katy, and Frisco ISDs—are moving ahead with plans to open virtual high school campuses for the 2026–2027 school year, marking one of the largest coordinated expansions of online public education in the state.
The programs are emerging in response to Senate Bill 569, approved in May, which created a new legal and funding structure for virtual and hybrid instruction. The law places online education on equal financial footing with in-person learning, removing one of the primary barriers districts faced in previous years.
In August, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) outlined how districts should implement the law. The agency emphasized that school systems now have broad flexibility to operate virtual or hybrid instruction through individual courses, standalone programs, or full-time campuses. TEA officials noted that offering single online courses can help districts address staffing gaps, support students who need to recover credits, and expand course options without requiring major structural changes.
Under the legislation, districts must ensure that virtual courses align with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), meet nationally recognized quality standards for online instruction, and provide rigorous academic content that keeps students on track for grade-level progression. Full-time virtual programs must offer at least 75,600 instructional minutes annually and ensure that teachers receive appropriate professional development tailored to online learning environments.
The law also prohibits districts from forcing students to enroll in virtual programs; participation must be voluntary. Existing online courses can continue through the 2025–2026 school year, but new full-time virtual or hybrid campuses will require TEA authorization before launch.
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Expands Its Virtual Pathways
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD has been among the first to formalize its plans. In August, the district announced the creation of its new virtual program and named Dr. Meredith Akers as director. District leaders have described the initiative as an opportunity to design a flexible and academically strong system from the ground up.
On November 8, the district released details about its Virtual Pathways program. CFISD noted that more than 1,100 of its resident students attended virtual schools during the 2024–2025 school year, indicating sustained demand for remote learning options.
The district plans to serve students in grades 4–5 and 9–12 through three pathways:
CFISD Virtual Academy, a fully online full-time campus
CFISD Flex Learning, which allows high school juniors and seniors to take one or two virtual classes
CFISD Supplemental Courses, fee-based high school classes taken outside the traditional school day
District officials have emphasized that these offerings strengthen the district’s appeal to families seeking flexibility while maintaining the district’s established academic standards.
Katy ISD Opens Legacy Virtual High School
Katy ISD is preparing to launch Legacy Virtual High School, which will accept both in-district and out-of-district students. The school will offer a free, full-time virtual high school program for Texas residents, along with a part-time option available for a fee.
To help families learn about the program, the district has scheduled multiple information webinars in December and is collecting interest forms from prospective students.
Frisco ISD Introduces Frisco Flex
Frisco ISD, which highlights its status as the largest A-rated district in Texas, announced its new virtual initiative—Frisco Flex—on November 3. The district simultaneously released its 2026–2027 course catalog and enrollment timeline. Applications will open in early December for current Frisco ISD students and on January 13, 2026, for students statewide.
A Growing Statewide Trend
Texas has seen a dramatic increase in full-time virtual school enrollment over the past decade. Approximately 5,000 Texas students participated in full-time virtual programs in the 2013–2014 school year. By the 2024–2025 school year, that number had climbed to more than 62,000.
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