Mineral Wells Area News

Reporting By Gary Norman | Mineral Wells Area News

Mineral Wells ISD will offer students a tuition-free online learning option beginning with the 2026-27 school year through a new partnership with Pearson Virtual Schools USA.

The agreement, approved by the school board in December 2025, allows the district to offer Pearson’s virtual education programs under the Texas Connections Academy name.

The contract begins with the 2026-27 school year and runs through June 30, 2031. The program will initially serve students in kindergarten through 10th grade during its first year, expand to kindergarten through 11th grade in year two, and offer kindergarten through 12th grade for the remainder of the agreement.

Enrollment at the Mineral Wells ISD-hosted campus will be open to qualifying students statewide, though participation is capped at one-half of the district’s total enrollment. Texas Connections Academy is also offered through Houston ISD.

Under the agreement, Pearson will hire certified teachers, provide curriculum and technology, and oversee student testing. District officials will monitor the program for compliance with state law and district standards, participate in management oversight, and issue diplomas to students who meet graduation requirements.

The district will remit the state’s Basic Allotment funding for each enrolled student to Pearson while retaining 3% of the total or $250,000 annually, whichever is greater.

Superintendent Dr. David Tarver said Pearson will operate the program independently while partnering through the district.

“They hire their complete staff, they run their complete program, they have all the technology, and they are in charge of all of the testing,” Tarver said. “They are their own entity through us.”

Tarver also said the program could help address course availability for local students.

“Say if we have eight kids that are interested in a specific course that we can’t offer a staffed position for, those students could sign up for that specific class through the academy,” he said.