Texas Is About to Start Closing Failing Virtual Schools. Here's How to Check Yours.

If you're checking Texas virtual school ratings for the first time, here's the short version. The state now has the authority to close public virtual schools that fail three years in a row, and that means you need a clear way to judge quality on your own.

What did Texas just change about virtual school ratings?

Texas passed SB 569 in 2025. Under the new law, public virtual campuses that earn poor accountability ratings three consecutive years must lose authorization, according to TEA. The state is also developing a virtual-specific accountability system. These Texas virtual school ratings carry real weight now, because continued failure can result in a school being shut down.

How do I check a virtual school's TEA rating?

Every public campus in Texas receives a letter grade from A to F through TEA's public accountability reports. You can find your school by searching its name alongside "TEA accountability rating" on the TEA website. Reporting from the Houston Chronicle in August 2025 listed several large virtual schools by grade alongside their enrollment numbers, which gives you a useful starting point for comparing size against results.

Why are some large Texas virtual schools rated low?

Enrollment size and academic quality don't always move together. According to TEA data cited by the Houston Chronicle, Lone Star Online Academy served roughly 11,686 students and earned an F rating. Texas Connections Academy served approximately 8,641 students and earned a D. By contrast, Texas Virtual Academy at Hallsville ISD served around 19,731 students and earned a B. A large student body tells you a school is popular. It doesn't tell you whether students are learning.

What should a strong virtual school actually show me?

Four things are worth asking about directly: independent accreditation, published student-outcome data, clear teacher access, and a described plan for students who fall behind. A quality school shares these openly and specifically.

If a school can't tell you how outcomes are measured, or gives vague answers about how often students interact with a certified teacher, treat that as meaningful information.

How can I tell if a school will support my child if they fall behind?

Ask exactly what happens when a student struggles. A strong model builds in individual pacing by subject, extra teacher attention, and the ability to spend more time on a skill before moving forward.

At Novatio, students work at their own level within each subject block and move ahead only after demonstrating mastery. Certified teachers monitor progress and step in directly when a student gets stuck. For students with additional learning needs, Novatio also offers a Special Education Support Program that includes targeted intervention and regular check-ins.

Is Novatio subject to these new Texas rules?

No. Novatio is a private school, so SB 569 and TEA's public accountability ratings apply to public virtual campuses, not to Novatio. That said, Novatio holds itself to an independent standard. Novatio is accredited by Cognia, which evaluates school quality against rigorous criteria regardless of whether a state law requires it.

Texas families can enroll at Novatio using TEFA funding. Admission to Novatio and approval for TEFA are separate processes. Novatio accepts all applicants without academic entry requirements. TEFA funding is awarded by the state and must be applied for separately. You can learn more about the enrollment process on the admissions page.

How does Novatio approach learning differently?

Novatio serves students in grades 2 through 8. Each morning, students complete approximately two hours of personalized, mastery-based academics across five core subjects: Language, Reading, Math, Social Studies, and Science. AI works behind the scenes to build each student's academic plan using real-time assessment data, while certified teachers provide direct guidance, intervention and support throughout the day. There's no homework.

Afternoons shift to live clubs built around practical skills, creative projects and real challenges, with teachers coaching students toward a concrete goal.

NWEA MAP data from Novatio's first cohort showed that students learned 4.6 times faster than expected during the measured period. Individual results vary. You can read more about the approach on the curriculum page.

If you'd like to talk through whether Novatio is a good fit for your family, book a 1:1 call with Karissa. The conversation takes about 20 minutes and there's no commitment involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Novatio cost anything for Texas families?

Novatio's tuition is $8,500 per school year. For families who receive a TEFA award, TEFA can cover that tuition in full. Novatio acceptance and TEFA approval are separate steps. Families apply for TEFA through the state and, once awarded, select Novatio through the TEFA portal. For questions about funding and what your family may qualify for, book a call with Karissa on the admissions page.

Does Novatio accept students who are behind academically?

Yes. Novatio has no academic entry requirements. All applicants are accepted. Students are placed at the level they're ready to work at in each subject, so a student who is behind in one area isn't held back in another where they're ready to move ahead.

How were Novatio's student outcomes measured?

NWEA MAP data from Novatio's first cohort showed that students learned 4.6 times faster than expected during the measured period. One student moved from the 8th to the 80th percentile in reading over one school year. These are individual and cohort results, not a guarantee of what every student will achieve.

Where can I check TEA ratings for public virtual schools in Texas?

TEA publishes accountability ratings for every public campus on its website. Search the school's name alongside 'TEA accountability rating' to find its current grade. The Houston Chronicle's August 2025 reporting on virtual school expansion also compared several large programs by enrollment and rating if you want a side-by-side reference.

Is Novatio accredited?

Yes. Novatio is accredited by Cognia, an independent accrediting organization that evaluates schools on curriculum, instruction, leadership and continuous improvement. Cognia accreditation is separate from TEA's public school accountability ratings and applies to private schools as well as public ones.