how to enroll
Enrollment is open for the 2023–2024 school year!
Follow the steps below to apply today.
Five Simple Steps to Enroll
Create Parent Account
The Stride K12 Parent Portal provides access to your online application to TOPS, along with real-time alerts and quick links to important info.
Submit an Application
Once you've begun an application in the Stride K12 Parent Portal, click the option to add a new student or continue with your application. Simply fill in the fields with your child's information, select TOPS, and hit Submit.
Upload Additional Documents
In this step, you'll provide more detailed information about your child and upload additional documents, such as proof of residency and a birth certificate. For a list of specific documents that will be required, contact our enrollment consultants at 855.777.0682.
Attend Enrollment Webinar
All families participate in a pre-recorded webinar with an enrollment consultant. Additional documents may be required to complete your enrollment, depending on your student’s situation, and will be provided within your Parent Portal.
Welcome to Stride K12!
After successfully completing the enrollment process, your student will be approved. Please check your email for important information regarding your student's status and how to access the Online School platform.
Want more great tips for enrollment and beyond?
View The Ultimate Checklist for Stride K12-Powered Online School Enrollment and be in-the-know about all the best resources and tips to start the school year off strong.
Eligibility Requirements
TOPS has some specific requirements that are important for you to note before you get started:
Proof of Prior Public School Enrollment
In order to enroll, your child must have attended a Texas public school the prior school year. To show proof of this, you must submit any one of the following documents from the previous school year:
- Report Card
- Transcript
- Progress report
Additional Requirements
3rd through 8th Academics and STAAR:
- Students must have been promoted to the next grade level from the last school year.
- Students must have taken and passed all required STAAR Math and Reading tests from the previous year with a minimum of an Approaches performance level.
- Students enrolling in the spring semester must have a received passing grades in all core-classes on the student’s latest grade report. (Core classes are Math, Reading/Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science.)
9th through 12th grade Academics and STAAR End of Course (EOC) Exams:
- Students must be on track to graduate with their cohort year (a student’s cohort year is the year they entered 9th grade). This will be verified by the student’s transcript.
- All EOC required tests taken previously must show a minimum of an Approaches performance level (incoming 9th graders must have been promoted and must show Approaches in Math and ELAR).
- Students enrolling in the spring semester must have received passing grades in all core-classes on the student’s latest grade report. (Core classes are Math, Reading/Language Arts, Social Studies/History, and Science.)
Behavior:
- Students must have satisfactory behavior.
- Students should have no record of mandatory DAEP/JJAEP placement, or record of incarceration in the current or previous school year.
- An applicant’s discipline file may be reviewed if he/she has multiple OSS/ISS assignments or suspensions in the previous or current school year
Military Exceptions
All military students coming into the state may school with TOPS even if they did not school with a Texas public school the previous year. However, these students must have attended a publicly funded school and will need to be approved by our district partner.
- All high school students who have been previously enrolled in a Texas public high school and no longer reside in Texas as a result of a military deployment or transfer, can enroll in TOPS.
- Please Note: Students must come back for state testing.
All students must meet one of the three enrollment criteria options below:
Option 1
- Reside in Texas, except as otherwise provided for in TEC Chapter 30A.002
- Not have graduated from high school
- Have been enrolled in a public school in Texas during the preceding year
Option 2
Have been previously enrolled in a Texas public high school and no longer reside in Texas as a result of a military deployment or transfer
Option 3
Have been placed in substitute care in Texas, regardless of whether the student was enrolled in a public school in Texas in the preceding school year
For more information on H.B. 3646, the 2009 legislation that includes terms of participation for students wishing to enroll in an online virtual school through the TxVSN, you may view the text from the bill.
