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CFBISD proposes partnership with University of Texas High School for virtual options; soft launch aimed at grades 10–12
Summary
Trustees heard plans to pilot a Carrollton‑Farmers Branch ISD virtual high‑school program in partnership with University of Texas High School (UTHS), offering full‑time, hybrid, and single‑course options with local success coaches and an initial application window in June.
District leaders proposed a soft launch of a virtual high school partnership with University of Texas High School (UTHS) to give students more course options and flexibility while keeping them enrolled in Carrollton‑Farmers Branch ISD.
Dr. Megan Garza and other district digital‑learning staff outlined three enrollment models: full‑time (all courses online), hybrid (some on‑campus, some online), and single‑course opportunities for acceleration or schedules that support extracurricular commitments. The district would purchase seats from UTHS and remain the student’s home district; students would be eligible for a CFBISD diploma and would follow the CFBISD academic calendar.
UTHS would provide instructors and course platforms (hosted in Canvas). CFBISD plans to assign a local CFB success coach — a district employee (teacher, counselor or designated staff) — to observe student progress, collect attendance, and assist with pacing. Staff emphasized guardrails: initial eligibility limited to grades 10–12 for the first year, an application and review process (academics, assessment, attendance, discipline), and required orientations and device (Chromebook) distribution.
District staff presented an example revenue scenario for 100 full‑time virtual students: the district would continue to receive the basic allotment for enrolled students (~$616,000) and would contractually pay UTHS approximately $364,000 for course seats, leaving a net retention potential to the district after costs. Trustees asked for additional scenarios (mixed full‑time/part‑time enrollment) and for clarifications about transportation, UIL participation for in‑district students, and student record access; staff responded that hybrid students can use regular bus routes for on‑campus classes and that success coaches will be added to course Canvas sites as observers for progress monitoring.
Staff said a consent agenda item in June would request a block purchase of UTHS course seats to enable scheduling for a fall soft‑launch; the application window is planned to open in early June with orientations in August.
