FAQs

No. Aside from the district’s new South Texas ISD Virtual Academy, all campuses will return to 100 percent on-campus instruction for the 2021-2022 school year. South Texas ISD looks forward to welcoming all of our students from the other six STISD campuses back in person this fall and being able to provide richer learning in vocational fields of interest through hands-on experience and community partnerships.

No. The STISD Virtual Academy is a new stand-alone campus the district is opening in fall 2021. Although this school will not have its own physical building for students to report to for instruction each day, it will be its own separate campus.

Like the six existing STISD schools, South Texas ISD Virtual Academy will serve students from Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy Counties. It will eventually serve students in grades 6-12; however, it will open in the fall with only grades 6 through 9 and will phase in additional grades as these cohorts progress through the school years and new ones enroll. This will be the district’s first time serving 6th-graders, as historically, the district has served grades 7-12. Any student with the desire to learn and work hard can attend so long as he or she resides within the tri-county area served by the district. 

The STISD Virtual Academy will offer a 100 percent virtual learning option with flexible scheduling for students who thrive in that type of environment. Since students will be participating in courses from home, students will need to be committed to taking initiative and prioritizing their time. If your child has demonstrated his/her ability to succeed in virtual learning, and you are invested in supporting your child to be successful learning remotely, this could be a great opportunity for your child.

In the initial years, the STISD Virtual Academy will offer students the opportunity to take their core courses and several electives, with the chance to participate in Dual Credit courses in the future. Instruction and programs will be designed specifically for a virtual setting, with teachers bringing with them to the school expertise in this area.

The STISD Virtual Academy is at capacity and is now closed. For the 2021-2022 school year, STISD Virtual Academy enrolled students for the 6^th through 9^th grades only.

STISD Virtual Academy will eventually serve students in grades 6-12; however, it will open in the fall with only grades 6 through 9 and will phase in additional grades as these cohorts progress through the school years and new ones enroll. This will be the district’s first time serving 6th-graders, as historically, the district has served grades 7-12.

Although students will not be physically on campus for classes, STISD will still provide a strong system of support for students. Synchronous and asynchronous tutorials will be available, and teachers will be in contact with students to ensure they are understanding content and can ask any questions they may have. Of course, the student’s educational success will be a shared commitment, but STISD Virtual Academy will certainly do its part to best ensure this.

Teachers will teach from a centralized district location, while students will participate in their courses 100 percent virtually from home.

View a sample student schedule
The schedule to be followed will include both synchronous and asynchronous components.

Synchronous: Happens in real-time at the same time for the instructor and learners

Asynchronous: Does not happen at the same time

There will be a live teacher to provide synchronous teaching, and there will be asynchronous components where students will work on their own. The teachers will offer both synchronous and asynchronous tutorials and help. Additional information on the schedule is forthcoming.

View a sample student schedule

All classes will be held virtually. Students will also be offered opportunities for virtual tutorials and support. If at any time a student would like to request in-person tutorials or support, that can be arranged by coordinating directly with the teacher.

As per the guidelines provided by the Texas Education Agency, all state assessments will need to be taken in person. Local assessments will be taken virtually. 

Students who enroll within the STISD Virtual Academy will be provided with all of the instructional and technology resources they need to participate fully and successfully in their online courses. Some of these resources include an iPad, a calculator, a fitness watch and other necessary PE equipment, science kits, and all instructional materials in a digital format (textbooks, etc.). Students will also have access to district software and library resources, including library databases and other resources both online and in-person at the library facilities.

Because STISD is a public school district, there is no cost for students to attend.

As is the case at all STISD schools, we recognize the importance of social and emotional wellness and have different supports in place to help cultivate this in our students. As an STISD student, your child will have access to counselors, social workers and licensed professional counselors. The district counseling department will also share resources with your child throughout the year, and you and your child will be invited by the campus to participate in various events that focus on mental health and wellness. Help is only a phone call or click away. 

We are planning to hold several events leading up to the first day of school to provide our students with needed equipment and resources, as well as training and opportunities to meet their peers, teachers, and other campus personnel before we kick off an exciting year of online learning. Classes will start on Monday, Aug. 30; however, the week leading up to the first day of school – the week of Aug. 23 – will include a Virtual New-to-District Camp, technology pick-up days, training from our Instructional Technology Specialists on how to use district technology and software, and a Meet the Teacher event. Our goal is to ensure our students are comfortable and ready to hit the ground running come the first day of school. Additional information on these events will be provided to students and parents soon. 

Classes for the 2021-2022 school year will start on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. This particular campus will follow a different calendar from the one approved by the STISD Board of Directors for the remainder of the STISD campuses.
View the 2021-2022 STISD Virtual Academy Calendar

A listing of the courses to be offered during the 2021-2022 school year is coming soon.

STISD Virtual Academy will use a standard learning management system for all courses, grade levels and instructors. Students will be trained in the use of the system leading into the school year and can request additional support, as needed, as they get accustomed to using it or questions come about.

Like at all other STISD campuses, STISD Virtual Academy will use Tiers of Intervention to address factors contributing to student failures and to support students in working through those factors and finding success. STISD Virtual Academy is committed to the success of all students who enroll, and faculty and administration will utilize a variety of techniques and support measures to ensure this.

We understand that students may have to miss a class from time to time. If a student must miss a class for an approved reason (illness, appointment, etc.), the student will be able to watch a recording of the lesson or sit in on an alternate class session (if available) to catch up. Please note that chronic, excessive absences may result in the withdrawal of your child from the school. 

Yes, absolutely. If ever there are concerns about your child’s progress or performance in a course, the teacher will reach out to you and let you know. Contact information for your child’s teachers will also be provided at the beginning of the year, and you are always welcome to e-mail your child’s teacher with any questions you might have. If you prefer to have a live discussion, teachers are happy to meet with you virtually. You can reach out to schedule a virtual parent/teacher conference.

We realize the importance of extracurricular and social activities in developing well-rounded children and social emotional wellness. In our inaugural year there will be a limited number of extracurricular activities available, but we plan for these offerings to grow as our school grows throughout the years. Additional information on this is forthcoming. 

If you would like additional information on the STISD Virtual Academy, please click on the "Ask us a question" button below and a representative will be with you soon. 

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