Lobos Connect (Virtual/Hybrid)

The Little Elm ISD Virtual Program provides two flexible educational pathways for students in grades 9–12. Options include:

Full-Time Online Program: Complete all coursework virtually, with some required on-campus sessions for assessments and support.

Hybrid Program: Combines online instruction with selected on-campus classes and activities, tailored to each student's needs.

Texas Senate Bill 569, passed in 2025, allows districts to offer more flexible learning models. The Little Elm ISD Virtual Program was created to expand access and provide families with more choices while maintaining the quality education families expect.

Full-Time Online

Fully virtual coursework with possible in-person tutorials and assessments.

Hybrid Program

Flexible mix of virtual and on-campus classes; no “drop-in” allowed. Parents are responsible for transportation.

Instruction and coursework are provided through software, with on-demand tutoring available. Selected Little Elm ISD staff will have office hours each day to provide additional support. However, Little Elm ISD staff members are not the direct instructors.

Additional projects may be assigned outside of the course's academic requirements.

Grades earned in virtual classes count towards a student’s GPA and class rank

Students must earn 26 credits to graduate and earn a CCMR point.

Virtual Program students retain access to Little Elm ISD extracurricular offerings, including athletics, fine arts, dual credit, CTE courses, and clubs, subject to eligibility and availability

1. Submit your application by the specified deadline.
2. Wait for acceptance (June 1st, or aligned with entry periods).
3. If accepted, work with the assigned LEHS counselor for scheduling, finalize technology setup, and complete all formal enrollment steps.
4. Attend any required onboarding sessions, begin classes, and utilize available support services.

• Enrolled in grades 9-12
• Demonstrate passing grades in all subjects for the prior two years
• Show satisfactory progress on standardized assessments, including STAAR
• Maintain regular attendance with no more than 10 unexcused absences for the prior 2 years
• Has no serious discipline, such as DAEP placement or expulsion.

New to Little Elm ISD families may apply to the Virtual Program before completing formal enrollment at Little Elm High School.

Virtual students enrolled in STAAR-tested subjects must comply with state testing policies and may need to attend in-person for assessments, tutoring, or STAAR boot camp sessions. Students who do not meet this requirement will not be allowed to continue in the program

• Current homeschool students and students transitioning from homeschooling are welcome to apply to the Virtual Program.
• Following acceptance, students formally enroll in Little Elm ISD to access all district services and programs.

Key dates for enrollment:

• March 4 – Begin advertising, information sessions, and sign up
• April 30 – Deadline to apply for 1st semester entry (after April 30 case by case)
• May – Process information
• Week of June 1 – Notifications of acceptance are sent
• November 1 – Deadline to apply for 2nd semester entry

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• Maintain attendance based on state and local district guidelines. 
• Maintain progress report grades of at least 70 in all courses. 
• TEA guidelines require that students’ complete assignments one day at a time.
• Students must engage daily in virtual learning. 
• Attend tutorials (face-to-face) as required.
• Schedule and attend face-to-face testing sessions. Pass all sections of the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR).
• Read and acknowledge the District Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) regarding technology and the internet. 
• Complete and submit coursework on time.
• Communicate with online instructors and mentors in a professional and respectful manner.
• Ensure that you have the means to access the online course on your own at all times.
• Acknowledge that the school district has full and complete access to the work submitted or the comments posted within the online course. 
• Seek help from the online instructor or course provider as needed. 
• All UIL “no pass no play” guidelines will be adhered to for virtual learners. 
• Adhere to the Little Elm ISD Code of Conduct and behave with integrity and honesty while participating in the program. 

• Self-motivated
• Organized
• Self-advocate
• Completes classwork
• Comfortable with technology
• Comfortable with online collaboration
• Honest and responsible
• Socialization opportunities

Students must have reliable internet and should have a dedicated workspace.

Students are required to have their own reliable transportation

• Ensure that your child has the necessary equipment and internet access to participate in the Lobos Connect program.
• Provide your child with a supervised, safe place that is free of distractions.  This space should have a suitable background for use with the Chromebook camera.
• Ensure that your child has sufficient time in his/her schedule to work each school day.
• Become familiar with the means by which you can receive progress reports and never be afraid to ask your child to show you his/her course work and progress. 
• Encourage your child to seek help when struggling or frustrated. 
• Ensure that all tests and work done by your child without the aid of others, unless the assignment is designed to be completed collaboratively. 
• Be aware of all course deadlines and pacing guides. 
• Communicate academic concerns with online instructors as needed.

• The expectations for learning will be consistent with our face to face classes. 
• Grading procedures will be consistent between virtual and face to face settings, and will align to the FISD grading guidelines and expectations. 
• All TEKS and state expectations for learning will be consistent and will follow all expectations from TEA including common assessments, exams, universal screeners, and benchmarks. 
• Attendance will be taken daily.  Online attendance will be measured through engagement as defined by TEA.  Online attendance will follow all state and local policies and procedures including credit, promotion and truancy laws. 
• Accountability and state assessments are still expected from TEA. 
• If a student has an active 504 plan or IEP, the district will help determine if the accommodations and support can be delivered virtually or would have to be modified. 
• Students may request and/or be required to attend interventions or additional learning opportunities.
• Teachers will provide virtual office hours similar to conference periods for conferencing/contacts.
• The District will provide support services including counseling/guidance, nutrition services, SPED/504, and other resources.  These services may require onsite visits.  
• Students will be allowed to take identified TEA and/or UIL recommended courses onsite during school hours that cannot be taught in a virtual setting, such and Welding, Culinary Arts, Band, Athletics, etc.  Transportation will not be provided.
• All Virtual Academy students will be encouraged to stay connected and allowed to participate in before school, clubs, organizations, extracurricular activities, and tutorials/interventions. These may include but are not limited to Student Council, NHS, etc.  

Students who are in the Program and are meeting one of the following criteria may be identified that virtual learning is not the right environment:

• Failing one or more course for the semester; or
• Have 4 or more unexcused absences a class period for the grading period; or
• Not maintaining parent/student commitment; or
• Not communicating with staff and teachers in a timely manner; or
• Not attending required face-to-face meetings, tutorials, testing; or
• More than three courses needed for credit recovers; or
• Placement in DAEP and/or ISS; or
• Being on the campus when not scheduled for classes; or
• Lack of transportation

In order for a student to return to in-person instruction, the parent/guardian will be provided with written notification two weeks prior to the required in person start date. 

Failure to meet the expectations as stated above shall require a Lobos Connect Student Review Meeting.  The committee will include the principal or principal designee, teachers, parents, the student and the district director over the program.  Parents shall be notified regarding the meeting and the probation requirements.  The committee will develop the individual probationary plan that addresses the identified area(s) in which the student did not meet the Lobo Connect Program student expectations.  The purpose of this plan is to assist the student in making improvements in the identified area(s) and for overall student success in the program.  At the end of each grading cycle, the academy advisor will evaluate the student's progress and determine whether to remove the student’s probationary status, extend the probation, or recommend that the student exit the academy program.