- Houston Independent School District
- Frequently Asked Questions
HISD Virtual Academy
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Frequently Asked Questions
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How do I apply for the Virtual Learning Academy?
The application period has ended.
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Who is medically eligible for the Virtual Learning Academy?
HISD students who are 11 and younger and have been medically diagnosed with at least one of the following eight high-risk conditions as designated the by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- asthma
- chronic lung disease
- compromised immune systems (including from smoking, cancer treatment, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, or use of corticosteroids or other immune weakening medications)
- diabetes
- serious heart disease (including heart failure, coronary artery disease, congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathies, and hypertension)
- chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis
- liver disease
- severe obesity
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When does the Virtual Learning Academy start? How long does it last?
The Virtual Learning Academy starts Monday, August 30. It is currently only guaranteed for the fall 2021 semester.
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What is the Virtual Learning Academy?
HISD is offering a virtual instruction option this fall for students who are too young to be vaccinated (age 11 and younger on Aug. 23rd, 2021) and who meet one of the specified medical conditions defined within the eligibility guidelines.
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Does my child have to be an HISD student to participate?
Any eligible student interested in participating in this option must be enrolled in HISD before applying. If your student is not currently enrolled in HISD, go to Houstonisd.org/enroll and visit or contact your campus to receive a student ID in order to complete the application form.
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School starts August 23rd. Should my student stay home while waiting on eligibility notifications?
HISD recommends students who meet eligibility requirements attend their regular assigned campus, beginning Monday, August 23 and until their eligibility is confirmed on Friday, Aug. 27.
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What if my student applies but doesn’t meet eligibility requirements?
You will be notified, and your student will need to attend their regular assigned campus for in-person instruction.
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Who teaches Virtual Learning Academy classes?
Classes will be taught by dedicated teacher-certified staff from HISD.
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How will the virtual instruction work?
Accepted students in grades PK-4 through 2 will be enrolled in the HISD Virtual Academy.
- Students must be logged in for the full four-hour instruction time to receive attendance credit per Texas Educational Agency guidelines.
- Instruction will take place online and be conducted through live streaming instruction and independent work/online modules.
- Students must follow the HISD Student Code of Conduct as applicable at all times.
- Students’ eligibility to participate in campus-based extracurricular activities will be made on an individual basis.
- Some students may be required to come to campus for state-required academic assessments.
- Electives will not be provided.
- Parents must commit to creating and monitoring their Parent Portal account and attending parent/teacher virtual conferences as requested by the teacher or administration.
- Failure to meet the above expectations may result in the student returning to in-person instruction at their zoned or anticipated school.
- Upon closure of the virtual academy at the end of the semester, students will return to the school in which they originally were enrolled for the 2021-2022 school year. This includes zoned, magnet, choice, or transfer placements.
Accepted students in grades 3 through 6 will be enrolled in the HISD - Pearson Program to receive virtual instruction.
- Students must abide by all guidelines set forth by Pearson Virtual Schools.
- Students enrolled in HISD – Pearson Program through this virtual option are not eligible to participate in the instructional program or extracurricular activities of any HISD campus. While enrolled in the HISD – Pearson Program, students should not return to their former HISD campus without permission.
- Students must follow the HISD Student Code of Conduct as applicable at all times.
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What if my student wants to stop virtual instruction and return to in-person learn?
Students may only transfer back to their regular assigned campus at the end of each grading cycle.
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How is HISD funding the Virtual Learning Academy?
Because the state does not provide funding for virtual instruction, HISD will leverage ESSER relief funds to cover the cost.
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Who do I contact if my child needs a device?
Contact your child’s home campus to receive a device.
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I don’t see my student’s course in the HUB. What do I do and who can I contact?
Please contact virtualcademy@houstonisd.org. In the email include student name and ID
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I don’t know my student’s login information. Who do I contact?
The student’s username/email is going to be s######@online.houstonisd.org. The # would be their Student ID number. If you do not know your child’s student ID number, please contact the Service Desk. If this is the student’s first time logging into the HUB, their default password is going to be their birthday (MMDDYYYY).
