Cypress‑Fairbanks Independent School District leaders on Nov. 6 unveiled a proposed Virtual Pathways program that will let students enroll in full‑time or hybrid online options operated by CFISD staff.

"This program offers our CFISD students even more flexibility, options, and opportunities right here in our district," Dr. Akers said as the district described three pathways: a CFISD Virtual Academy (largely asynchronous with some weekly synchronous lessons), CFISD Flex Learning (students remain on their home campus and take one or two online courses), and CFISD Supplemental Courses (tuition‑based, outside the school day).

The district said survey outreach found meaningful interest: one survey of parents of grades 8–11 drew 4,852 responses and showed roughly 20% expressed interest in a fully online option while nearly 39% favored a hybrid/flex model and 37% were open to supplemental courses. Based on enrollment patterns and survey data, the district plans to launch virtual options for grades 9–12 and for grades 4–5 in 2026–27, with staged expansion to middle grades depending on demand.

On funding and accountability, Dr. Akers said the district expects virtual students to generate state average daily attendance funding if the district documents daily attendance and participation under the new law. "As long as we're taking attendance in the virtual world ... we are going to be able to get that ADA attendance funding for those virtual students," she said.

CFISD administrators emphasized that the virtual academy will use CFISD curriculum taught by CFISD teachers (not an outside vendor). The district plans to hire teachers whose full assignment will be virtual instruction and to mirror face‑to‑face class sizes (Dr. Akers said high‑school synchronous classes could be “up to about 30,” with elementary classes around 22–24 and small‑group sessions of five or fewer).

Trustees asked about UIL participation and whether outside (nonresident) students could enroll. Dr. Akers said virtual students may continue to participate in UIL and extracurricular activities and that outside students will be able to apply; supplemental courses could also be offered to students from other districts.

What’s next: the district launched a program website (virtual.cfisd.net) and an interest form for families; enrollment windows, capacity limits and a handbook with operational details will be finalized ahead of 2026–27 enrollment.