Farmersville Honors Academy · Virtual Learning Handbook

A no-cost, full-time virtual honors school for academically prepared 7th–12th grade students.

SECTION I

Program Overview

The Farmersville Honors Academy (FHA) is a full-time virtual school for Texas students operated by Farmersville ISD and in partnership with Collin College. Students complete their full course load online from home and do not attend a physical campus, except for state-required testing and approved UIL extracurriculars as outlined in this handbook.

Mission

Provide a rigorous, flexible academic pathway for self-directed learners while maintaining the standards, accountability, and care of the FISD experience.

Model

Full-time virtual school taught online by certified teachers. A flexible, family-friendly platform lets students learn on a schedule that fits their lives, with daily support services from teachers.

Who it serves

Grades 7–12 students who have demonstrated mastery on STAAR (Meets/Masters) or an approved entrance assessment, and who can succeed in a high-autonomy environment.

SECTION II

What “Honors” Means at FHA

FHA is honors not by name, but by program design. Every student follows a course plan built around an expanded selection of Advanced Placement and dual-credit coursework, with a clear path toward earning an associate degree alongside a high-school diploma.

Expanded AP catalog

Students have access to a broader selection of Advanced Placement courses than is typical at a comprehensive campus, with multiple AP options across English, math, science, social studies, and electives.

Dual credit through Collin College

Eligible students take college-level coursework through Collin College for both high-school and college credit. Course sequences are designed so that a committed student can graduate from FHA having earned an associate degree alongside the FISD diploma.

Access to Expanded CTE Coursework

Students can pursue Career & Technical Education pathways across a broader range of industries than a typical campus offers — building applied skills and earning industry-recognized certifications in fields that complement their academic coursework.

SECTION III

Eligibility & Admission Criteria

Admission is highly competitive and based on demonstrated academic readiness for an autonomous, online learning environment. FHA enrollment is an opportunity, not a right; all criteria below must be met for the student to be considered.

Academic Performance

STAAR / EOC. Meets Grade Level or Masters Grade Level on the most recent STAAR or EOC assessment in reading and math. For some high school students, meeting standard on the Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA2) will be required.
Entrance exam alternative. Equivalent performance on an approved FISD entrance assessment for students without recent qualifying STAAR data.
Course standing. Passing all current core courses with no current credit deficiencies.

Technology & Home Environment

At-home device capable of accessing online coursework, the learning platform, and program materials.
Reliable home internet sufficient for video and learning platform connection.
Designated study space for daily learning.
Acceptable Use. Student in good standing under the FISD Acceptable Use Policy.
Transportation to any approved in-person components (testing, UIL) is the family's responsibility.

Family Commitment

Signed enrollment agreement from parent/guardian and student.
Daily participation, attendance, and assessment requirements.
Honors such as valedictorian, salutatorian, and Top 10% honors are not available to FHA students (see Section IX).
FHA enrollment is an opportunity that may be revoked for non-compliance or lack of participation (see Section X).

Special programs. Students receiving special education services require an ARD committee review prior to FHA placement. Students with 504 plans require a 504 committee review. FHA placement decisions must be consistent with the student's IEP/504 and FAPE.

SECTION IV

Enrollment Process

There is no cost for FHA — FHA is part of FISD's free public education program.

Program Overview Presentation

Prospective students and parents view the FHA online program overview presentation, which explains the model, expectations, and how FHA differs from a traditional FISD experience.

Application

Student and parent/guardian submit the FHA application and signed enrollment agreement through the district application portal.

Eligibility Review

FHA admissions team verifies STAAR/entrance-exam performance, course standing, and ARD/504 committee outcomes where applicable.

Placement Decision

Families receive a written admission decision.

Registration

Parents will register their students online via Skyward.

Schedule

Counselors build the student's virtual schedule and coordinate any dual-credit or UIL in-person components.

Onboarding & Orientation

Before the first day of classes, students complete a required FHA onboarding that covers how to access the student learning platform, log in to course platforms, communicate with teachers, locate assignments, and use district tools.

SECTION V

Academic Overview

Topic	FHA Standards
Course delivery	All courses are delivered virtually through the district-approved student learning platform by certified teachers. A blend of synchronous and asynchronous instruction is used.
Pacing & calendar	FHA follows the FISD academic calendar and grading cycles. Each course follows the same TEKS and overall pacing as the in-person equivalent.
Grading	Grades follow the FISD secondary grading policy and post on the standard schedule. Virtual course grades count toward GPA and graduation requirements.
STAAR / EOC	FHA students take all required STAAR/EOC assessments in person at a designated FISD testing site on the district testing schedule.
Full-time enrollment	FHA is full-time only. Students must enroll in 7 courses per semester and complete all TEKS-required content for their grade level and graduation plan. Part-time enrollment is not offered.
Dual credit	Eligible students may take dual-credit courses through Collin College. Students must apply to and be admitted by Collin College before enrolling. In-person attendance at the partner college or designated FISD site is permitted for these courses only.
Academic integrity	The FISD Code of Conduct and Acceptable Use Policy applies. Misuse of AI tools, unauthorized collaboration, and proxy work are violations and may result in removal from FHA.

SECTION VI

Extra-Curriculars

FHA students are full members of Farmersville ISD and may participate in district extracurricular activities — including UIL athletics, cheer, drill team, fine arts, FFA / Agricultural Sciences, and UIL academics — on the same terms as on-campus students. Participation is a privilege contingent on eligibility, attendance, and good standing.

UIL Athletics & Activities

Football, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, track, cross country, golf, tennis, powerlifting, cheer, and drill team are open to FHA students who meet eligibility and attendance requirements.

FFA / Agricultural Sciences

FHA students may participate in FFA, livestock projects, CDE/LDE competitions, and ag mechanics. Students must coordinate barn access, project supervision, and travel with the FFA advisor.

Fine Arts & UIL Academics

Band, choir, theatre, art, and UIL academic events are available. Students must attend rehearsals, performances, and contests in person on the same schedule as on-campus participants.

Requirements for Participation

In-Person Attendance

Students & families are responsible for transportation to and from campus at the appropriate times for all workouts, practices, rehearsals, contests, performances, meetings, and off-season activities.

UIL Residency Eligibility

For UIL activities, students must establish and maintain residency eligibility in accordance with the UIL Constitution & Contest Rules. New transfers must complete a Previous Athletic Participation Form (PAPF) where applicable.

Program Requirements

FHA students must meet the same program requirements as on-campus students — including No Pass / No Play, attendance at scheduled team functions, current physicals and medical forms, code-of-conduct expectations, and any program-specific fees, fundraisers, or apparel obligations.

Academic Eligibility

Eligibility is checked on the FISD grading calendar using FHA grades. A student who fails a course at the end of a grading period is ineligible for the next three weeks per UIL rule and may regain eligibility only at the next eligibility checkpoint.

Good Standing at FHA

Students must remain in good standing at FHA — meeting daily attendance/participation signals, course-progress benchmarks, and conduct expectations.

One coach, one director, one standard. Coaches, directors, and sponsors set practice and performance schedules. FHA students follow the same schedule as on-campus teammates — the virtual classroom does not change the in-person commitment of the activity.

SECTION VII

Attendance & Engagement

FHA attendance is taken daily and follows TEA remote-instruction guidance. A student is counted present only when at least one approved daily participation signal is recorded during the district attendance window.

Daily Attendance Signals

Any one of the following, captured during the daily window:

student learning platform progress confirming access to instruction
Daily teacher–student interaction (live, message, or conference)
Assignment submission with timestamp

Compulsory attendance still applies. Texas compulsory attendance law applies to virtual students. Excessive unexcused absences and lack of participation can result in removal from FHA and truancy procedures consistent with FISD policy.

SECTION VIII

In-Person Components

FHA is a full virtual school. Students complete daily instruction at home and do not report to a physical campus for class periods, electives, lunch, or social activities. In-person attendance is required only in the limited situations below.

1. Dual Credit

Students enrolled in approved dual-credit coursework attend through Collin College. Dual-credit courses are offered both in-person and virtually, depending on the course. Schedules are coordinated through the FHA counselor.

Students must apply to and be admitted by Collin College before enrolling in dual-credit courses.
Students must meet all college admission, placement, and prerequisite requirements.
Course performance counts toward both the high-school transcript and the college transcript.

2. UIL Extracurriculars

Students may participate in UIL-approved extracurricular activities (athletics, fine arts, academics) provided that all program requirements and in-person attendance expectations are met:

UIL residency requirements are met (residency must be established).
In-person attendance is required at all team workouts, practices, rehearsals, contests, performances, and meetings — including off-season.
The student meets all UIL No Pass / No Play and academic eligibility rules.
The student maintains FHA good standing.
Required physicals, forms, and fees are current.

What is not included. FHA enrollment does not include access to non-UIL clubs, in-person electives, lunch periods, dances, prom, or daily campus activities outside the approved components above. Graduation ceremony participation is governed by FISD policy.

SECTION IX

Honors & Recognition

FHA students earn rigorous credit and full diplomas, but graduation honors that depend on direct comparison with the traditional in-person cohort are not available to virtual students.

Not available

Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and Top 10% recognition are not awarded to students who complete their final years in FHA. Class rank for these awards is calculated only among traditional in-person students.

Available

FHA students remain eligible for the FISD graduation ceremony, diploma, and endorsements; Distinguished Level of Achievement recognition where TEKS requirements are met; National Honor Society consideration where local chapter rules permit; and FHA-specific academic recognitions established by the program.

SECTION X

Student & Family Expectations

Student responsibilities

Log into the student learning platform and meet daily participation requirements.
Maintain weekly pacing and submit work on time.
Attend required synchronous sessions, conferences, and assessments.
Communicate proactively with teachers and counselors.
Follow the FISD Code of Conduct and Acceptable Use Policy.
Report on campus or assigned testing site on state assessment days.

Family responsibilities

Provide a quiet, dedicated learning space, reliable home internet, and technology device.
Serve as the daily learning coach and monitor student progress.
Respond to teacher/counselor outreach promptly.
Provide transportation for any in-person components and assessments.

Enrollment is an opportunity, not a right. Students may be unenrolled from FHA for non-compliance with this handbook or for lack of participation, including repeated missed daily participation, failure to maintain pacing, or failure to meet attendance, conduct, or academic-integrity expectations.

SECTION XI

Registration

Registration is coming soon.

Receive registration updates

Families may complete the interest form to receive a notification when Farmersville Honors Academy registration is live.

Interest Form

SECTION XII

Contact Us

Parents and students may email Farmersville Honors Academy with questions about the program, eligibility, registration, or next steps.

Questions?

Send questions to fha@farmersvilleisd.org.

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