SKIDMORE, Texas — Justin Laechelin enjoys tending to the cattle on his family’s ranch in Skidmore, Texas, just northwest of Corpus Christi.
He’s been involved in 4-H since the third grade. By the sixth grade, he enrolled in Texas Online Preparatory School (TOPS), allowing him to work from anywhere.
“I get a lot more time to work with them than if I was at a brick-and-mortar school,” Justin said.
Justin said it took a while to get comfortable with virtual learning. Now, as a tenth grader, he says not being stuck in a classroom has been good for his mental health.
“I get to just take a break,” Justin said. “You know if I’m having a bad day, sometimes if I need to skip a day of school and not do anything. I can do that.”
Justin isn’t alone. In 2022, more than 4,200 Texas high school students enrolled in full-time virtual education.
“Actually, I think what the world has found is that, not for everyone, but for some, this is a great fit,” said Juli Laechelin.
Justin’s mom, Juli Laechelin, has been an educator for 20 years. She’s been the TOPS high school principal for the last five years, serving about 2,200 students.
“We are virtual, but we are actually a Texas public school,” Juli said. “And so, we fall under all the guidelines that the state has. State testing. High school graduation requirements.”
In June, Gov. Greg Abbott directed The Texas Education Agency to continue offering virtual instruction options for students in third through twelfth grade, for the next two years. This allows virtual school systems to receive full funding for each student who finishes the year.
“Online schooling is an amazing program for students who need maybe a faster pace,” Juli said.
Through TOPS, Justin will earn an associate’s degree by the time he graduates, an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.
“I love that I’m able to do high school and go to college at the same time,” Justin said. “Because my dream job is to be a marine biologist. So, I’m going to be in school for a long time.”
Juli says virtual education is just another path for Texas parents to consider.
“I also have three that go and love their brick-and-mortar school,” Juli said. “It’s an option, and it’s an option you have the power to make.”