The new initiative won’t just benefit local students, it will also open doors for students anywhere in Texas looking to earn a high school diploma.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Tuloso-Midway ISD is introducing a first-of-its-kind program in South Texas after the school board approved the launch of the district’s own Virtual Academy this week. The new initiative won’t just benefit local students, it will also open doors for students anywhere in Texas looking to earn a high school diploma or even an associate’s degree.

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District leaders say the program became possible after a new state law cleared the way for school districts to create their own online academies. TMISD officials say they are wasting no time and are preparing to enroll students by January.

From hands-on welding training, to cosmetology, to traditional academic courses, TMISD has built a reputation as a district that leads in giving students real choices about their educational future.

“This new initiative is taking it to all of Texas,” said Tuloso-Midway High School Principal Gabriel Alvarado, who added that with a major investment in career training, the district is expanding those opportunities beyond its own zip code.

Alvarado said the change came after the passage of Senate Bill 569.

“Senate Bill 569 passed which allowed for local high schools to make their own virtual academy very similar to what a K-12 would be,” said Alvarado.

He said the district moved quickly to get the program ready.

“Our team has worked very hard to get this law passed in September, and here we are in November and we’ve already got a full fledged program to get it started,” said Alvarado.

The new Virtual Academy will give students across Texas four different pathways to graduate.

“You can be virtually in Houston, virtually in El Paso, basically we have four pathways for kids to graduate.”



Four Pathways to Graduation

1. Traditional Four-Year Online Plan

Designed for students who want a standard schedule but need to complete classes fully online.

Created for students who need to finish early  including those who work, face medical challenges, or have changing life circumstances.

“This pathway kids are able to hammer out their credits as fast as they can to graduate early. The intent sometimes situations in life happens,” said Alvarado.

3. Associate’s Degree Pathway

Through partnerships with colleges across South Texas, students can earn an associate’s degree while completing high school.

“One in Uvalde, Brownsville, Beeville, Corpus Christi, and Kingsville.”

The district covers tuition and books for those students.

4. Flipped High School Model

Ideal for students pursuing hands-on trade programs.

“Those who are interested in trades, go on campus, take their classes there, and do our high school work at night.”

Warpath Academy Coordinator Stacie Figueroa says families have been waiting for access like this.

“I think it’s going to open up so many opportunities for our students not just our students but students throughout Texas,” she said.

It’s also something she hears directly from parents.

“Something a lot of the parents coming in asking questions, my child has this opportunity that we never had, and it’s so true, we had to finish high school and then start our college career, now they are having the opportunity to do that while in high school.”

In addition, a new career and tech center is now under construction at the school. The 58,000-square-foot facility is part of a $164 million bond package. Once completed, it will offer hands-on training in high-demand fields such as health science, welding, and veterinary medicine.

With applications open now for the virtual academy, Alvarado believes the program could see up to 1,000 students enrolled by January.

For more information or to apply, visit TMISD.us.