In our online learning portal, current students will find coursework and lessons, Learning Coach resources, instructions for completing re-enrollment, and more.
Log into the Enrollment Portal to complete online enrollment forms and submit required documents for Texas Connections Academy.
Texas Connections Academy is a tuition-free online public school for grades 3–12. Designed to give students the skills, confidence, and flexibility necessary to become confident learners, Texas Connections Academy keep students motivated and engaged by offering a strong circle of support that includes their peers, families, and talented educators. Learn how to enroll.
Our families often reside in Houston, but we serve students throughout the entire state of Texas.
Families choose Texas Connections Academy because they trust us to give their children a unique, personalized school experience where they can learn, grow, and make valuable and long-lasting connections. Texas Connections Academy provides a complete, full-time education for children—one that includes all the core courses, electives, and social opportunities students in grades 3–12 need. Our qualified and passionate teachers, who specialize in online learning, work directly with parents and students to set individual goals and ensure that students thrive. Texas Connections Academy prepares children for a bright future—whether that includes college, technical training, or career readiness.
Texas Connections Academy first opened as Houston Connections Academy in December 2008.
Families choose Texas Connections Academy because they trust us to give their children a unique, personalized school experience where students can learn and grow.
Texas Connections Academy provides a complete, full-time education for children—one that includes all the core courses, electives, and social opportunities 3‒12 students need. Caring teachers specialize in online learning and work with parents. Together, they set individual goals and ensure that students learn. Texas Connections Academy prepares children for a bright future—whether that includes college, technical training, or career readiness.
Texas Connections Academy is committed to providing a high-quality education that meets state requirements for grade level standards. Using our accessible technology, we connect parents, teachers, and students from home or anywhere with an internet connection. Here, students benefit from a flexible learning schedule that allows them to learn how they learn best, while staying accountable and on track. Parents are also able to control their student’s learning environment, ensuring a safe and stimulating atmosphere.
* Availability of print textbooks varies by state and course.
Connections Academy is always looking for hardworking dedicated individuals to join the team. Please review the current openings to see if a position is available near you. Connections Academy is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Although Texas Connections Academy and homeschooling have some similar attributes, Texas Connections Academy is not homeschooling. Texas Connections Academy provides a defined set of curriculum materials that have been specifically aligned to local standards and use certified teachers to evaluate student performance, including decisions concerning the child’s grade-level promotion. All students are required to take state standardized tests, and the school is accountable to regulatory authorities for the students’ performance.
Visit our Contact Us page to find the appropriate contact for transcript and record requests.
Texas Connections Academy provides a state approved curriculum and state-certified online teachers. The students are required to complete a specific amount of work at a predetermined pace and grade level, and participate in state testing to ensure that they are keeping up with state standards for a high school diploma issued through the state of Texas.
Homebound services are provided to a child for a medically relevant eligibility at the student’s home, and the student may or may not receive a shortened school day or school week, or shortened assignments. A medical doctor’s recommendation helps determine eligibility for homebound services. Because Texas Connections Academy is not homebound services, a student must be dismissed from homebound services to be eligible to participate full time at their zoned campus to enroll in this online school. If a student requires homebound services, those services are provided through their locally zoned school.
We proudly welcome students who wish to join us mid-year. Visit the enrollment page for more information.
Please see our School Calendar for school year start and end dates.
Yes, the diploma is issued through Texas Connections Academy by Houston ISD. In order to be eligible for a diploma in the spring, all course work and graduation requirements prescribed by the state of Texas and the Houston ISD must be fulfilled a week prior to the last day of school in the spring semester.
Texas Connections Academy has a graduation ceremony hosted by Houston ISD in a Houston ISD provided facility the weekend immediately following the last day of school for the district. Current families should check the 12th grade Message Board for more details regarding the ceremony.
Our online public school program is tuition-free and includes all necessary books and curriculum. Families are only responsible for maintaining a reliable internet connection as well as for covering the cost of additional school supplies, optional in-person field trips, and in some cases, a computer & internet.
No, there are no hidden fees. Just like your local brick-and-mortar public school, Connections Academy schools are publicly funded and tuition free. Please explore our costs page to learn more about potential costs, which may include optional field trips, school supplies, and in some cases computer & internet.
No. All required books and instructional materials for courses are provided to students. The majority of texts are provided online, though some texts may be available in print form.
Texas Connections Academy offers both core and elective courses, as well as a College and Career Readiness offering. Our proven curriculum incorporates materials developed by leading educational institutions, as well as lessons and other resources developed by curriculum specialists. The curriculum for each public school is aligned to Texas state standards.
Connections Academy offers core courses in language arts/English, mathematics, science, and social studies. The curriculum also includes art, physical education, music, home life, world languages, technology literacy, and other enrichment courses. At many schools, gifted and talented, honors, and Advanced Placement®* courses are available for students who qualify. Course offerings vary by state and grade level.
* AP® and Advanced Placement® are registered trademarks of the College Board. Used with permission.
Texas Connections Academy is committed to provide students, regardless of disability, with an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from the school’s education program, as required by federal law. We provide students with accessibility through resources tailored to each student’s individual abilities and needs, including assistive technologies and individualized support. If your student is in need of assistance in order to fully participate in Texas Connections Academy’s education program, please contact the school’s Special Population Department at 281-661-8293. You can also obtain 24-hour technical support by calling the Accessibility Hotline at 888-639-5960.
No, Texas Connections Academy offers only the courses that have been approved to meet 100% of the TEKS alignment, iNACOL standards, and accessibility standards. Due to the time that is required to make these alignments to the curriculum, not all Connections Academy courses are currently offered in Texas. However, Connections Academy plans to continue obtaining course approval on additional courses for the students of Texas.
Connections Academy students often lead busy lives, and this online flexibility allows for learning when it works best. Students will need to be available for teacher-led LiveLesson® sessions, but are able to choose how to arrange their free time in between. For some students, scheduling breaks in between lessons may be the answer to optimized learning. For others, leaving time for extracurricular activities is key. Check out the Connections Academy blog to see some examples of sample schedules.
Yes, the Texas Virtual School Network has evaluated and approved all of Texas Connections Academy’s courses for grades 3–12. The College Board has also reviewed and approved all of the Advance Placement courses offered at Texas Connections Academy. Texas Connections Academy offers several courses that student athletes may use towards eligibility requirements set by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Eligibility Center as well.
Region 10 Education Service Center has approved Texas Connections Academy professional development for teachers who are new to the school. Participating in professional development qualifies them to meet the requirements of Texas Statute Chapter 30A, which governs online teacher professional development requirements. In addition and in accordance with public school standards, Texas Connections Academy also receives an annual accountability rating from Texas Education Agency.
Texas Connections Academy provides a print-rich, rigorous curriculum to help your student work on lessons that are on grade level or above. Texas Connections Academy is a part of the Houston Independent School District, and the district has the continuum of services and supports, but this one school does not have all the supports and programs that are available at your zoned school. Texas Connections Academy does not have a slower-paced nor an alternative curriculum. If you have any questions, please contact the school’s Special Population Department at 281-661-8293.
The curriculum that is approved to be used in this online school is not an alternate nor slower-paced curriculum. The curriculum is a challenging, grade level or above, reading-intensive curriculum. While our school district has the continuum of services and supports, this one school does not.
The answer depends on the accommodations that are identified on the student's 504 Plan or ARD/IEP document. While the virtual environment is a great program for many students and some accommodations naturally occur with this learning method, some are not possible through a virtual school.
For special education students, an ARD/IEP committee meeting will be held within the first 30 school days of enrollment in Houston ISD. The committee is responsible for determining the accommodations needed for the student to make educational progress, and if those accommodations can be provided in the virtual environment. If the ARD committee determines that Texas Connections Academy does not have the levels of support the student needs, the committee may recommend that the student will be withdrawn from Texas Connections Academy in favor of more appropriate schooling options.
For students that have a 504 Plan, a meeting will be scheduled to review what accommodations the student needs in the virtual environment. Texas Connections Academy staff will advise the parents on what can and cannot be accommodated from your student's current 504 Plan. Parents may schedule a consultation, and it may include a recommendation pursue a more appropriate schooling option.
The Texas Connections Academy staff is available to talk with you, review your student's services, and consult with you on the services available at this school. We will make every effort to fully inform parents of the services and/or supports that are available for special service students in this 100% virtual environment. If you have any questions, please contact the school’s Special Population Department at 281-661-8293.
Texas Connections Academy is a text-rich environment where instruction and student management system are delivered in English. Students that scored Advanced or Advanced High on the TELPAS the previous school year generally are able to participate successfully in this online curriculum.
Yes, students are required to complete the full course by the end of the semester and/or year. Students who enroll late in the semester are assigned all lessons in the course. If the student attended school prior to enrolling in Texas Connections Academy, the teacher may skip lessons if they can verify mastery of the course-specific Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).
Yes. When you complete the entrance agreement to enroll in Texas Connections Academy, part of the agreement states that all students are expected to participate in state testing at one of the Texas Connections Academy testing sites. Texas Connections Academy test sites are opened and staffed based on the number of students served in a region; therefore, the state testing site may be located within a 2 hour (or less) driving range from a student’s residence. It is the parent’s responsibility to make travel arrangements to get the student to state testing for all testing days. An adult is required to walk the student into (and out of) the test site and show their ID each test day. Lack of transportation or being unable to take time off from work are not excused reasons for being absent from state testing, so advanced planning is encouraged. If the family would like to “opt-out of state testing” a different schooling option should be considered.
Visit the enrollment page to begin! We’ve made the enrollment process as simple as possible, but it does take some time to complete, so we recommend getting started before the semester begins.
Connections Academy’s Academic Placement Services team uses academic records to place students in courses that are the best fit for them.
Connections Academy is comfortable with a ratio of 4:1 (four children to one Learning Coach). An additional adult serving as Learning Coach is recommended for more than 4 students in a household. In the event that the additional adult is not a parent or legal guardian, a Designated Learning Coach Agreement must be completed by both the parent/legal guardian and Designated Learning Coach.
Check the enrollment page to find the following:
Student age, including acceptable proof of age documents
Any geographical restrictions and acceptable proof of residency documents
Immunization requirements and acceptable documentation
Prior public schooling limitations
Any other supporting documentation
Students who are 18 or over must meet age eligibility requirements in their state. Students must also submit academic documentation of all courses attempted since entering the 9th grade. Academic documentation will be reviewed by a school counselor to determine the student's eligibility to complete the program requirements before meeting the age cap for enrollment. Students who cannot complete the program requirements before meeting the age cap for enrollment are not eligible to enroll.
Both emancipated minors and students 18 years and older are required to complete the Parent/Legal Guardian (Caretaker) Acknowledgement (PLCA) form and to provide all required enrollment documentation before the student can enroll. Emancipated minors must also submit court documentation for their emancipation. Please contact the Enrollment Team at 1-833-591-0251 for more information.
The term "Learning Coach" is used to represent the role that the enrolling parent/guardian plays in the student’s educational experience. The enrolling parent/guardian chooses to serve as the "Learning Coach" which may include working closely with the teacher to ensure assignments are completed, schedules are met, and students are engaged and motivated. The parent/guardian may designate another trusted adult to act as a Learning Coach by completing the Designated Learning Coach online form.
Students are required to log in daily to complete their schoolwork. You will have access to Pearson Online Classroom, our education management system, at any time of the day, including weekends and holiday breaks to make up for any missed work from scheduled school days.
Communication is the most important element in succeeding with online learning. If you or your student experience any problems along the way, contact us immediately. Many kinds of support are available for students and families, including enrollment help, computer/technical support, academic assistance, and school counselor support. We are ready and willing to assist you—give us a call or send us a WebMail message. Communication is key throughout your entire experience with Connections Academy.
Because we serve students from multiple districts, rather than just one, our enrollment process can seem a bit more complicated. We’ve simplified it as much as possible and are here to support you every step of the way.
Connections Academy schools operate like any other public school. Therefore, our schools must comply with the same state regulations. Specific documents are required for all enrolling students.
During the enrollment process, submission of academic documentation such as a report card, unofficial transcript, schedule, or current progress report, helps to ensure that your student has an accurate and personalized course placement to start with Connections Academy.
As a parent/legal guardian you may request copies of the student's most recent report card or unofficial transcript, IEP documentation, birth certificate, and immunization record from their file. DO NOT withdraw from your current school or request a complete copy of the student's cumulative file prior to completing the enrollment process, as this information will be requested from the student’s previous school upon completion of the enrollment process.
That depends on you. The sooner you complete online enrollment forms and submit the required documents, the sooner your student will be enrolled. It typically takes two weeks or more to complete the entire enrollment process.
TIP: Log in to your caretaker homepage daily to review the student’s enrollment status and the verification of documents you submit.
Our process is streamlined to minimize any inconvenience to you while still meeting state regulations. Refer to the Enrollment Instructions document for some tips to help you keep the process moving.
After submitting your documents, you can check the status of your documents by visiting the Enrollment Portal. If you are unable to verify the status of your documents or have any questions, please call 1-833-591-0251 and contact the Enrollment Team using the document submission option in our phone system. We will check the system to see if the document was received. Please be prepared to provide us with the following information: student’s name, number of pages sent, the date sent, and if sent by fax, the fax number.
After you have confirmed your student's enrollment with Connections Academy, you should withdraw your child from your previous/local school immediately—preferably the same day. Delaying withdrawal could result in confusion, extra documentation, or cancellation of enrollment.
Do not withdraw your student before confirming your student’s enrollment, as this may result in additional documentation being required (e.g. report card). Delays in submitting these documents could result in delays starting school.
You can change your information by logging into Pearson Online Classroom. On your caretaker homepage, click on the "Change Contact Information" link. You can also notify the student’s teacher, who can submit the change for you.
To update a parent or student name, Connections Academy will need a copy of the legal name change documentation such as an amended birth certificate, marriage certificate, or court order. Please submit this documentation to the Enrollment Department. For other inquiries, you may reach out to your student's teacher, school counselor, or principal once they are enrolled.
We recommend that you set scheduling goals during the first three weeks of your student’s transition to virtual school to help ensure success. Your student’s homeroom teacher will be available to assist you throughout this time. If Texas Connections Academy online school is not the right school for your child, you can withdraw from Texas Connections Academy and enroll in another schooling option.
First, your student must be “stage 4/enrolled” in Pearson Online Classroom so that your learning materials can be shipped. Your student will remain in stage 4 until start up tasks are completed. Startup tasks must be completed within five days of starting school, and then your student will be officially enrolled in Houston ISD. To complete startup tasks, you and your student must: verify your courses, talk to a teacher, complete orientations, accept the honor code, and begin instruction. If the student does not complete startup tasks within the first five days, the student will be withdrawn from Connexus and will not be enrolled in Houston ISD.
All students who meet the eligibility requirements have the right to enroll. However, for special education students, an ARD/IEP committee meeting will be held within 30 school days after enrollment in the Houston Independent School District (HISD) to review placement and the program. They will either agree that the placement is appropriate, or may decide that the student cannot be appropriately served at Texas Connections Academy and should be withdrawn for a more appropriate placement. Students who are withdrawn as a result of an ARD/IEP committee decision will be given an option to enroll in an appropriate Houston ISD school or program.
Every year, we ask Texas Connections Academy families to rate our program. This year, once again, parents who completed online school reviews gave us high marks for helping students succeed academically and personally. See the results of the latest Parent Satisfaction Survey.
Just like in a brick-and-mortar school, some of the most successful students have parents who take an active role in their education. We recommend that a parent or other trusted adult serve as a Learning Coach to support the student’s learning. Support will look different depending on your student’s age and ability to learn independently, but may include providing daily structure, communicating with teachers, and helping students stay on track.
Throughout a student’s education, Texas Connections Academy teachers take the lead in ensuring student success. When first getting started, the Connections Academy Family Support Program provides ample resources to help families become acquainted with the online learning structure. Learn more about the responsibilities of a Learning Coach.
Yes. We understand one of the most important aspects of any education, whether completed in person or virtually, is creating a strong circle of support and connection. We offer plenty of opportunities for our students and families to connect, including regional field trips, special events, and connection events with other families in your area. Our internal email system allows you to communicate with other students or parents from Texas Connections Academy.
Yes, Texas Connections Academy will offer an in-person prom for our students in May 2025.
Students spend much of the school day attending live instruction and completing schoolwork online. Younger students spend more time in live instruction with their teachers, while upper grades spend more time independently working through the virtual curriculum.
Students and Learning Coaches do not need advanced computer skills to attend Connections Academy. Through our Learning Coach Success series, parents can attend a variety of sessions on subjects about anything from becoming acquainted with technology, to where to find resources in Pearson Online Classroom, our education management system. We also provide a technology literacy program that helps students gain additional skills.
There are some specific software requirements necessary to use Pearson Online Classroom, our online education management system. Please refer to the Computer Requirements page for complete details.
Connections Academy knows that for students to achieve at the highest levels, they need not only a great academic program, but also the freedom to learn in a safe and comfortable setting. Parents and Learning Coaches also play a key role in creating this environment to ensure their child’s well-being. Below are some of the most important resources Connections Academy provides to ensure that students are safe and focused on learning:
Throughout a student’s education, Connections Academy teachers take the lead in ensuring student success. When first getting started, the Connections Academy Family Support Program provides ample resources to help families become acquainted with the online learning structure. Learn more about the responsibilities of a Learning Coach.
Under Texas law, anyone who thinks a child, or person 65 years or older, or an adult with disabilities is being abused, neglected, or exploited must report it to Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). To make a report, call DFPS’s 24-hour hotline at 800-252-5400. When you report suspected abuse it enables families to get the help they need.
Bajo la ley de Texas, el que piense que un niño o una persona de 65 años o más, o un adulto con discapacidad es víctima de abuso, descuido o explotación debe reportarlo al Departamento de Familia y Servic http://www.houstonisd.org/Domain/21141 ios de Protección (DFPS). Para reportar la sospecha de abuso, negligencia o explotación, llame a la línea de 24 horas del DFPS al 800-252-5400. Cuando informe sobre la sospecha de abuso que permite a las familias a obtener la ayuda que necesitan.
The McKinney-Vento Act ensures educational rights and protections for children, youth and families experiencing homelessness. Under this act, various living situations may be considered homelessness and may qualify the child, youth or family for certain services. The Houston Independent School District's Homeless Education Office - Project S.A.F.E. (Student Assistance Family Empowerment) provides assistance to students and families that are living in a homeless situation or that are in transition. To learn more about available services, please visit the Houston Independent School District website.
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Curious about online school but unsure what it is truly like? Join us to discover how online learning works, the benefits it offers your child, and what your family can expect from the online school experience.
Curious about online school but unsure what it is truly like? Join us to discover how online learning works, the benefits it offers your child, and what your family can expect from the online school experience.
