Families in the League City area have a new school option this fall: Dickinson ISD will offer a full-time virtual learning program for high school students in grades 10 through 12 starting with the 2026-2027 school year, which begins Thursday, August 13.
The program is open to both current DISD students and families living outside the district's attendance zone, according to the district's program announcement. That means League City families zoned to Clear Creek ISD could enroll their children in the Dickinson virtual program without transferring districts.
DISD first announced the program on Thursday, January 29, and updated its program materials on Tuesday, July 21, just 23 days before the first day of school.
Who it's for
The district says the program targets motivated, independent learners who want a flexible but structured academic environment. Virtual students will still be considered part of "Gator Nation," the district said in its announcement.
The program's FAQ page addresses questions about UIL extracurricular participation at Dickinson High School, attendance at games and school events like homecoming and prom, End of Course assessments, endorsements available, and whether students can switch back to on-campus learning.
Statewide context
Dickinson ISD's program launches under Texas Senate Bill 569, passed in 2025, which replaced the old Texas Virtual School Network with a new framework allowing districts to run full-time virtual programs and receive the same per-student funding as in-person instruction. State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, authored the bill.
As of early 2026, more than 62,000 Texas students were enrolled in virtual learning, a 1,200% increase over the past decade, according to an Engageli analysis of state data. Bettencourt has said he expects that number to double by the 2028-2029 school year.
DISD is not alone in the move. Cy-Fair ISD plans three virtual pathways for 2026-2027, and Northside ISD in San Antonio is launching Northside Connect, a virtual high school, according to GovTech reporting.
Enrollment and next steps
School starts August 13.
Dickinson High School enrolled 3,763 students in grades 9-12 during the 2025-2026 school year, according to U.S. News & World Report. The district has not disclosed how many students it expects to enroll in the virtual program.
New student enrollment for DISD opened July 21. The district is holding a centralized enrollment event on Tuesday, August 4, at Kranz Junior High. The program website lists a dedicated application page for virtual enrollment.
Families can explore eligibility, course offerings, and FAQs at bit.ly/DISDVirtualProgram.
