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HISD is introducing a new districtwide Virtual School called the Virtual LaunchPad, created for high school students who are working on grade level and need more flexibility in their daily schedules. The Virtual LaunchPad blends live, teacher-led lessons with independent learning, all while maintaining strong academic expectations and support.
Students in the Virtual LaunchPad will stay enrolled at their home campus but will complete all of their coursework online. The program will start in the 2026-2027 school year with 9th- and 10th-grade students, and additional grade levels will be added in the future.
This option is designed for students whose life circumstances—such as work, medical needs, athletics, or family responsibilities—make a traditional school schedule harder to manage. By offering a flexible but rigorous learning environment for students who meet certain academic readiness criteria, the Virtual LaunchPad aims to expand access, support student success, and help prepare them for college, careers, and living-wage jobs.
“The Virtual LaunchPad represents an important step in expanding how we support students across Houston ISD,” said HISD’s Executive Director of Career and Technical Education, Gillian Quinn. “By pairing high-quality instruction with greater flexibility,
we’re opening doors for students whose schedules or life circumstances make traditional school models harder to navigate. Our goal is to ensure that every student, regardless of their pathway, has access to rigorous learning, strong support, and
opportunities that prepare them for college, careers, a thriving future, and a livable wage.”
Applications for the Virtual LaunchPad will open in March, and HISD will host parent information sessions in both English and Spanish. The Virtual LaunchPad is a part of Accelerate Houston, HISD’s effort to modernize learning and make sure every student has access to the tools, spaces, and opportunities they need to thrive in a future-focused world. To learn more, visit accelhou.houstonisd.org/virtual-school.
