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On the Heels of National School Choice Week, More Texas Families Are Rethinking School—Should Yours?

Community & Social
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By Erica Kouros, Executive Director, Digital Academy of Texas

National School Choice Week may have wrapped up, but for many Texas families, the questions it raises don’t disappear when January ends.

In fact, February is often when parents take a deeper look at how the school year is really going. The excitement of a new semester has settled. Report cards and progress updates are coming home. Testing season is on the horizon. And families start asking a simple but important question:

Is my child in the school environment that best supports their success?

School plays an enormous role in a student’s life—both in time and in influence. Between class time, homework, extracurricular activities, and commuting, many students spend more than 35 hours a week focused on school-related demands. That’s why it’s worth stepping back and asking what matters most:

Is your child happy, thriving, and feeling safe at school?

If your answer is “no,” or even “I’m not sure,” you’re not alone. A recent survey from the National School Choice Awareness Foundation found that 60% of parents have considered switching schools, with many exploring options beyond traditional brick-and-mortar classrooms. More than a quarter have looked into full-time online learning.

Across Texas, families are part of this growing shift. Whether navigating crowded classrooms, long commutes, academic gaps, social stress, or a learning environment that simply isn’t the right fit, more parents are rethinking what school can—and should—look like for their children.

With National School Choice Week now behind us, February can be a natural moment to reflect and ask:

Would a different approach better support my child’s success for the rest of this school year—and beyond?

Take an Honest Look at Your Child’s School Experience

Every student deserves a learning environment where they feel supported, engaged, and challenged—not stressed, overlooked, or disconnected.

As a parent, it can help to step back and consider:

  • Is my child keeping pace with classroom learning?
  • Are they getting individualized attention from teachers?
  • How large are their class sizes?
  • Does the school’s structure work with our family’s schedule?
  • Are there opportunities for enrichment, career exploration, or advanced coursework?
  • Does my child feel safe, included, and confident at school?

Texas families have diverse needs, and no single school model works for every student. Finding the right fit can make all the difference.

Talk It Through as a Family

If these questions raise concerns, it may be time for a thoughtful family conversation.

Switching schools—especially to an online model—is a significant decision. But for many families, it becomes a positive turning point. At Digital Academy of Texas (DATX), a tuition-free, full-time online public school serving students in grades 3–12 statewide, we see families make this choice for a variety of reasons.

Personalized learning

Students benefit from teacher support, small-group instruction, and access to advanced or career-focused coursework.

Safety and focus

Learning from home can reduce distractions, social pressures, and the day-to-day stress some students experience in traditional settings.

Flexibility

Online learning can better accommodate athletics, medical needs, travel, or extracurricular commitments—without sacrificing academic rigor.

Community connection

Virtual learning doesn’t mean learning alone. DATX students can participate in clubs, activities, and events that help them build friendships, confidence, and leadership skills.

Many parents tell us that making a change helped their child regain confidence, motivation, and a genuine enjoyment of learning.

The Bottom Line

Choosing a school is deeply personal, but the guiding principle should always be your child’s well-being and potential.

National School Choice Week reminds families that education today is no longer limited by walls or zip codes. And February is a great time to evaluate whether your student’s current learning environment is truly setting them up for success.

If you’re exploring what school could look like for your family, learning more about Digital Academy of Texas may be a helpful next step.

To learn more about DATX and whether online public school could be the right fit for your student, visit www.datx.k12.com.

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