The Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Board of Trustees announced that iUniversity Prep, the district’s online college preparatory public school, has gained accreditation from the National Collegiate Athlete Association (NCAA), following a lengthy evaluation period.
This means that iUniversity Prep high school coursework designated as a “core course” by the NCAA (in English, math, science, social sciences, and foreign language) has met the NCAA’s standards for non-traditional and distance learning schools. In order for a non-traditional school to gain accreditation, the courses offered must meet specific criteria, including:
• The course must be led by a qualified instructor who regularly engages with students.
• Course completion must happen in a specified time frame.
• The course must be comparable in length, content, and rigor to core classes offered in traditional school settings.
• The course must prepare students for academic work at a four-year-college.
Completion of a certain number NCAA-approved core courses, along with the maintenance of a designated core coursework GPA, is mandatory for students who wish to compete in (and earn scholarships for) college sports.
GCISD opened iUniversity Prep opened in 2013 as the only full-time, online public school in Texas that’s not managed by a private, for-profit education company. Enrollment in the iUniversity program is available, tuition-free, to any Texas resident in the fourth through 12th grades.
Many of iUniversity Prep’s students are elite athletes, dancers, musicians and actors who require a challenging but flexible school option that allows time for training, travel and work as well as academics.
“The NCAA accreditation is further evidence that iUniversity Prep offers rigorous, college preparatory curriculum and an academic experience that’s equal to those of high-performing traditional schools,” said Dr. Kaye Rogers, iUniversity Prep’s director of virtual education.
“Now that we’ve completed the credentialing process, our position as a highly viable education option for serious student athletes across the state of Texas has been further cemented,” she added. “We’re looking forward to welcoming even more of these gifted student athletes in the future.”
iUniversity Prep opened in August 2013 as GCISD’s newest school. The academy is a tuition-free, state-accredited online public school operated by Grapevine-Colleyville ISD and is one of only a handful of public virtual education solutions in the state offering elementary, middle and high school programs. It provides rigorous academics under the guidance of engaging instructors all within a collaborative school community. iUniversity Prep offers an inspiring, flexible learning environment that encourages and prepares students to be college and career ready by supporting learning through technology, fostering citizenship, and teaching the importance of mutual respect in a virtual environment.
All students living in Texas who are in fourth through 12th grades are eligible to enroll in iUniversity Prep. Students can attend class, take tests and complete coursework from any location as long as they have access to a mobile device and an internet connection. To inquire about enrollment or learn more: 855-779-7357 or visit www.iuniversityprep.org.