Katy ISD families now have a new option for students who need a flexible path to a diploma: Legacy Virtual High School, a fully online program open to any high school student in Texas.
The district's Board of Trustees approved the launch of LVHS at its July 27 meeting under Texas Education Code Chapter 30B, according to the board agenda, and enrollment opened days later. Board President Lance Redmon released a summer update video on July 28 highlighting the approval alongside student achievements and district progress over the summer.
LVHS is the district's 11th high school campus. It sits alongside Katy, Seven Lakes, Tompkins, Cinco Ranch, Jordan, Mayde Creek, Morton Ranch, Paetow, Taylor and Freeman high schools in the district's campus lineup.
The program offers two tracks, according to a district announcement. Students can enroll full time and earn their diploma entirely online, or they can take supplemental courses while staying enrolled at their home campus. Both options are taught by certified Katy ISD teachers and come at no cost to families, the same as any other public school in the district.
The virtual school expands the district's reach beyond its attendance boundaries for the first time, allowing students anywhere in Texas to access the program. Katy ISD enrolls roughly 96,000 students across 79 schools under Superintendent Ken Gregorski.
The district has positioned LVHS for students balancing academics with athletics, fine arts, work or family commitments. The school's website lists endorsement pathways, special populations services and specific technology requirements, though a full course catalog has not been published.
The timeline was tight.
Heather Patterson, a former Katy ISD campus leader of 22 years who works on the district's Innovative Pathways team, described the behind-the-scenes push on X on Wednesday, July 29:
@pinkpatterson: "Today, our IP team officially submitted Katy ISD's lengthy TEA application (even w/their short deadline) for Legacy Virtual High School (LVHS) b/c @katyisd is COMMITTED to BUILDING innovative pathways for kids ALL over TEXAS!"
The first day of school for Katy ISD is Wednesday, Aug. 12. Families interested in LVHS can register at lvhs.katyisd.org/students/registration. The next regular board meeting is Monday, Aug. 24.
