OAO in Texas

What OAO Offers
in Your State

Welcome to Optima Academy Online’s national course catalog page, where we have ‘hacked’ time and space—harnessing the power of virtual reality to deliver educational enrichment opportunities anywhere! Students can explore virtual classrooms, museums, and historical landmarks, bringing lessons to life in a way that textbooks simply can’t.

Texas Education
Freedom Accounts

Navigating Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) doesn’t have to be complicated. Optima Academy Online partners with TEFA to make quality education more accessible for Texas families. Our TEFA Explained white paper—A Parent’s Guide to Empowered Choice, Flexible Learning, and Greater Peace of Mind—walks you through how the program works, who qualifies, and how OAO can support your student’s success.

What Is a Texas Education Freedom Account (ESA)?

A Texas Education Freedom Account (ESA) allows state education funds to be directed to families rather than school districts. These funds can be used for approved educational expenses such as private school tuition, curriculum, tutoring, and other qualifying services. Unlike traditional public school funding, ESA dollars follow the student—giving families greater flexibility, choice, and control over their child’s education.

How Optima Fits into the Texas ESA Program

Optima Academy Online operates in Texas as a full-time private school, allowing families to use ESA funds toward a complete, credit-bearing academic program. This matters because:

Private school enrollment unlocks the highest level of ESA funding

Courses are credit-bearing and appear on official transcripts

Students receive a structured private school experience while learning from home

Families benefit from live instruction, strong teacher relationships, and intentional academic support

For families using ESA funding, Optima offers a private school option designed to meet the expectations of Texas families seeking quality, accountability, and flexibility.

How to Apply for Texas ESA Funding

The application process includes two important steps, and timing is critical.

1. Apply for ESA Funding

The state’s ESA application opens shortly after, on February 4. Families must submit their funding application even before final school acceptance decisions are complete.

2. Apply to OAO

Optima’s Texas applications open in January. Families are encouraged to apply early to indicate intent to enroll in a private school program.

Why Many Texas Families Are Choosing ESA + Optima?

Texas ESAs open the door for families who:

Were not accepted into traditional private schools
Want a rigorous, relationship-driven education without returning to public school
Need flexibility without sacrificing academic quality or accountability
Are seeking a private school experience that can be accessed from home

With live instruction offered K–12, a strong middle school pathway, and a focus on meaningful teacher-student relationships, Optima Academy Online is built to support families looking for a high-quality private school option through Texas ESA funding.

Want to learn more about the process? Contact our Admissions Team.

Virtual Reality Courses

Whether you’re adding to your home learning program, supplementing your school schedule, or seeking an innovative online school alternative, OAO has courses for every learner. Our program is fully online for all grades, with immersive virtual reality learning available for students in 4th grade and above. Younger learners (K–3) enjoy interactive, age-appropriate online courses designed to build strong academic foundations while keeping learning engaging, safe, and fun.

On Demand (Student Paced):

Students complete course instruction on their own time, schedule, and learning pace. Courses are mapped out with clear progression instructions to support students with a trouble-free completion experience.

Live (Teacher-Led)

Our most collaborative option. Students have direct interaction with their teacher and classmates through regularly scheduled instruction times, completing assignments and instruction in a community environment.

Ready to sign your child up for courses? Discover all of Optima Academy Online’s offerings by viewing our Full Course List.

Explorations Virtual Reality Field Trips

We offer a 12-month subscription to our Explorations VR Field Trips. During these months, you can spend as much time in our uniquely created Metaverse environments as you like. Each environment has its own theme, learning experiences and adventures. Plus, each adventure in our explorations is a single user experience, aside from our in-system learning guides, offering you top safety as you journey through.

How to Pay

State Funding Pay:

For Courses & Field Trips: Partnering with Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA), can be found in your Odyssey account for purchase. TEFA applications start February 4, apply to OAO before then.

Direct Pay:

For Courses: Contact Admissions Team for pricing options. Please allow 24-48 business hours for a response.

For Optima Explorations VRField Trips: See Pricing OR Begin Purchase