Colorado school districts want approval for new online and hybrid school options: Authorities confirm

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Colorado weighs new school options
Students in Colorado’s El Paso County could soon have more choices for completing middle and high school. Two school districts have advanced proposals for new multi-district online and hybrid schools that would combine remote learning with opportunities to meet teachers and classmates in person. Lewis-Palmer School District 38 is considering Williamsburg Academy Colorado, while District 49 has proposed the V.I.S.T.A. and Falcon Flex Academies. The plans still require further consideration and state approval before the schools can open. Chinnapong/Depositphotos
Three schools are proposed
The proposed schools would serve students in grades six through 12 and expand the education options available across El Paso County. Williamsburg Academy Colorado would join District 38’s school portfolio, while District 49 would develop V.I.S.T.A. Flex Academy and Falcon Flex Academy. Multi-district online schools can enroll students who live in school districts throughout Colorado, allowing families to consider programs beyond their local schools. Officials said they have already heard interest from families in communities including Peyton and Calhan. Joasouza/Depositphotos
Online learning adds in-person classes
The proposed hybrid academies would offer a mix of online coursework and face-to-face instruction rather than relying entirely on remote lessons. District 49’s plans call for students to attend in-person core classes and electives two days per week, with core coursework completed online on two other days. The approach is intended to give students more opportunities to interact with educators and classmates while retaining some flexibility of online education. District officials believe this combination could help meet needs that traditional online programs do not always address. Depositphotos
Williamsburg brings a different model
Williamsburg Academy Colorado would bring a program that combines online classical education with leadership courses and outdoor activities. The Williamsburg Academy system began operating in 2008 and offers its educational model in multiple locations nationwide. According to a presentation to District 38’s board on Oct. 6, more than 1,000 students were enrolled in the system across Colorado. The proposed school would give local families another option that blends structured academic instruction with activities beyond the classroom. Little-known fact: Colorado’s public school enrollment fell to 870,793 students in the 2025–26 school year, the lowest level in a decade. Depositphotos
Teachers meet students regularly
Williamsburg Academy’s instructional model includes regular in-person teaching rather than leaving students to complete all their lessons independently. Students receive face-to-face instruction in most subjects twice a week, while math and English language arts are taught in person four times per week. The program also includes outdoor activities on Fridays, along with summer camps and family events.

These elements are intended to connect academic work with social interaction and experiences outside standard classroom lessons. Depositphotos
Schools want to reduce isolation
Supporters of the new options say fully online education can leave some students without the connections they need. Williamsburg Academy Chief Operating Officer Adam Hailstone told District 38’s board that self-paced online programs can work well for students seeking credit recovery or a faster path to graduation. Hailstone argued that other students can find software-based learning isolating when regular personal interaction is limited. The proposed schools aim to offer more opportunities for students to connect with teachers and peers while continuing to use online coursework. joasouza/Depositphotos
District 49 plans two academies
District 49’s proposals include V.I.S.T.A. Flex Academy and Falcon Flex Academy, with each school designed for a different part of the district. V.I.S.T.A. would primarily serve students in the POWER Zone, while Falcon Flex would focus on students in the Falcon Zone. District 49 divides its geographic schools into three innovation zones: POWER, Falcon and Sand Creek. The proposed academies would build on that structure by offering flexible learning options connected to specific zones. Little-known fact: About 80 percent of Colorado’s school districts are small districts, with average enrollment of roughly 330 students. Depositphotos
Students keep campus access
The proposed District 49 academies would give students access to facilities and activities at their area high schools. Planned resources include science laboratories, career and technical education programs, engineering pathways, fine arts and student clubs. District 49 board member Mike Heil welcomed the approach, saying his daughter had missed some extracurricular opportunities after choosing another district online program. The new model is intended to address that drawback by connecting students with activities already available through local high schools. Depositphotos
Other online options already exist
District 49 already has several multi-district online options. Springs Studio for Academic Excellence and Pikes Peak Early College are district-operated programs, while GOAL High School is a statewide charter school authorized by District 49. The proposed flex academies would add to those existing options. Their planned combination of online coursework, in-person instruction and access to existing extracurricular programs would distinguish them from the district’s current offerings. Depositphotos
College courses could be included
The proposed schools could also give students opportunities to earn college credit before graduating from high school. District 49 Superintendent Peter Hilts said the new academies would offer concurrent enrollment, which allows high school students to take college courses. District officials have also begun discussing whether some of these instructional models could be adopted at Springs Studio.

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If developed as planned, the options could give students more ways to combine high school studies with early college coursework. Depositphotos
State approval remains necessary
Neither district has completed every step needed to launch its proposed schools. District 49’s board must decide whether to authorize administrators to submit applications to the state, while District 38 plans to gather more information before bringing a similar decision forward. District 38 Superintendent Amber Whetstine stressed that the board’s initial action did not amount to a finalized formal agreement. The proposals must progress through the required review process before the schools can begin operating. Depositphotos
January brings an important deadline
The Colorado State Board of Education’s application deadline is Jan. 2, according to District 38’s superintendent. That date gives the districts a limited window to complete the next steps if they want their proposals considered for the planned launch. District 49’s board is expected to decide whether administrators can submit applications at its next regular meeting, while District 38 continues its review. The proposals’ progress will depend on district decisions and the state’s approval process. What makes Colorado’s historic silver towns worth visiting today? See why Colorado’s 1870s silver towns are still standing, and a corkscrew train connects them both

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New schools could open in 2027
If the proposals receive the necessary approvals, Williamsburg Academy Colorado, V.I.S.T.A. Flex Academy and Falcon Flex Academy intend to begin operating in the 2027–28 school year. Their plans would expand options for Colorado students who want alternatives to fully in-person or fully online education. The final outcome remains uncertain because the districts still need to complete their review and state application steps. For families, the proposals could eventually mean more flexibility alongside in-person instruction, campus resources and opportunities to participate in school activities. What could Amendment 82 mean for Colorado’s clean energy future? See why Colorado clean energy debate intensifies as Amendment 82 draws criticism. Would you choose a school that combines online learning with in-person classes and activities for your child? Share your thoughts

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