BELLVILLE ISD LOOKING INTO HYBRID/VIRTUAL LEARNING PROGRAM
The Bellville School Board is considering the use of a pilot program for hybrid/virtual learning, which would begin in the 2026-2027 school year.
The program would allow students to take certain courses virtually, but would still be required to come on campus for at least one class, which would be most likely an elective.
According to the Bellville Times, Superintendent Dr. Nicole Poenitzsch told school board members that Bellville ISD wants to be able to meet the needs of all its students.
She explained that some students do better in person, some need a more hands-on approach, while others learn better independently and at their own pace.
The District’s Learning Team led by Chief Academic Officer Natalie Jones came up with the virtual learning program.
Jones told the board that she proposed starting slowly to give them time to “work the kinks out,” and also to make sure it meets Bellville ISD’s standards.
The plan is to open the pilot program to ten high school aged students in the 2026-2027 school year. If more than ten students are interested, the students for the program would be chosen by a lottery.
Depending on the success of the program, Poenitzsch said they would then open the program to all high school students in year two, and then 7th and 8th graders for year three.
(gs ISD photo)
In addition to that, Poenitzsch presented information that showed while enrollment in schools in the state of Texas has increased since the fall of 2019, enrollment in traditional public schools has decreased.
Her stats show that charter school enrollment has increased by 29 percent, and virtual public schools and options have increased by 1,200 percent over the decade.
The school district sent out surveys to gauge interest in the program. Of the responses, the eighth-grade level was said to be 50-50.
For grades 9-11, 17% were interested, 54% were not interested, and 29% wanted more information.
For grades 6-11, 39% were interested, 35% were not interested, and 36% wanted more information.
No action was taken during the board’s last meeting. However, the Times article said that trustees appear to be interested in rolling out the virtual learning program slowly, while receiving more information about it.