Two Adult High School Education Charter Applicants Advance
Two applicants for new Subchapter G Adult High School Charter Schools have advanced to the next stage of consideration, TEA online records reflect.
Seeking approval to open no earlier than SY 2026-27 (with links to their applications) are:
- BakerRipley Pathways Academy (Houston area).
- Restore TECH Academy (San Antonio area).
What’s Next
Following further vetting by TEA staff and external reviewers, the commissioner is expected to announce his final decision on granting approval to one or both of the applicants late next month.
- Note: This is in addition to the 16 applicants for open-enrollment Generation 31 charters that have advanced thus far in the consideration process (article) — a process that will include State Board of Education (SBOE) consideration of whether to veto any applicant on the education commissioner’s final list in June 2026.
The SBOE has no veto (or any other) authority over the adult high school charter approval process.
Background
Texas currently has four Adult High School Charter Schools, which started as a pilot program under 2021 legislation and resulted in the education commissioner’s approval of the Goodwill Industries sponsored The Excel Center For Adults headquartered in Austin.
The program further expanded via 2023 legislation, which allows the education commissioner to approve up to 10 adult-serving charters.
- Note: The three other previously approved adult high school charters are: 1) New Heights (Tarrant County headquartered), 2) Texas Works (Denton County headquartered) and 3) The PossAble Dream Charter High School (Hidalgo County headquartered).
Approval to operate tuition-free Adult High School Charter Schools — for individuals who are from 18 to 50 years old — can be granted to nonprofits, school districts, higher-ed institutions, etc.
