Families across Hays County have access to a tuition-free online public school serving every grade from kindergarten through 12th. Golden Crane Digital Academy is a fully online campus of Crane ISD, open to any student residing in Texas. Because eligibility is statewide rather than tied to a local attendance zone, households in San Marcos, Kyle, Buda, Wimberley, Dripping Springs, and the surrounding communities can all enroll in the same school.
This page covers what the program includes, how the school day works at each grade level, what families pay, and how enrollment works.
One School Across the Entire County
Communities across this part of Central Texas sit in different school districts, which means families moving between them typically change schools. A statewide virtual campus removes that constraint. Students in San Marcos CISD, Hays CISD, Wimberley ISD, and Dripping Springs ISD boundaries are all eligible for the same program, with the same teachers, the same calendar, and the same support structure.
That consistency carries practical benefits:
- Families relocating within the region or anywhere in Texas keep the same school
- Households with children in multiple grade bands use one campus for everyone
- Course availability does not depend on what the nearest campus happens to offer
- Daily schedules can be built around commutes, activities, and work.
How the Program Works
Three features define the model at every grade level.
Live Instruction with Texas-Certified Teachers
Students attend scheduled, teacher-led classes rather than working through modules alone. The instructional day combines:
- Live, interactive classes with Texas-certified teachers
- Small group instruction sessions limited to four to eight students
- One-on-one teacher conferences
- Self-paced lessons and assignments
- Hands-on projects and activities
Typical live class sessions have between 15 and 25 students. Teachers are reachable through scheduled office hours, one-on-one appointments, email with a typical 24-hour response window, phone calls, and virtual conferences.
Project-Based Learning
Students research, problem-solve, and create solutions to real-world challenges while mastering academic content. Projects range from designing an eco-friendly city to launching a small business to producing a documentary. The approach builds collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity, and it gives students room to explore topics they care about.
A Dedicated Educational Concierge
Every family is paired with an Educational Concierge from the moment they join. The role covers onboarding, tailored course planning, ongoing academic guidance and check-ins, help designing a daily schedule that meets academic requirements, and access to clubs, activities, and weekly engagement opportunities.
Academic Program by Grade Band
The curriculum is state-aligned and taught by certified Texas teachers. The full program is outlined on the Academic Overview page.
Elementary School, Grades K-5
The elementary program balances academic fundamentals with exploration and creativity:
- Strong literacy and numeracy foundations
- Project-Based Learning that makes concepts concrete for younger learners
- Interactive lessons designed specifically for young students
- Hands-on materials shipped directly to the home
- Art, music, and physical education integrated throughout the curriculum
A typical day includes live, teacher-led classes, independent learning at the child's pace, hands-on projects, movement breaks, and community-building activities. Elementary students receive support from a dedicated Educational Concierge, Texas-certified teachers with elementary expertise, regular progress assessments, individualized support plans when additional help is needed.
Middle School, Grades 6-8
Middle school programming focuses on building independence while students still receive structured guidance from teachers and Learning Coaches. The curriculum features interactive, multimedia-rich content with animations, videos, and simulations, cross-curricular connections between subjects, digital and physical materials, and personalized pacing.
Core courses cover language arts, mathematics with preparation for algebra, science through inquiry-based methods, and social studies, with electives in world languages, art, music, technology, and physical education. Career-Connected Learning begins here through career exploration activities, guest speakers from various industries, project-based assignments, and personal interest inventories. Students also receive regular advisory sessions addressing academic progress and social-emotional development, along with academic intervention when needed.
High School, Grades 9-12
High school students take primary responsibility for managing their schedules while Learning Coaches shift into oversight. The program includes:
- Core academic courses aligned with Texas state standards and college expectations
- Dual credit through partnerships with Texas colleges and universities
- Credit recovery for students needing to catch up
- SAT and ACT preparation resources and guidance
- Career exploration through internships and project-based learning
- Industry certifications in high-demand fields
- Personalized college and career counseling with dedicated advisors
Flexible scheduling accommodates extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, and individual needs. Graduation follows Texas state requirements: four credits each in English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies, two credits of foreign language, one credit each of physical education and fine arts, and six elective credits.
Support Beyond the Classroom
Student support includes:
- Academic counseling and course planning
- College and career guidance
- Social-emotional support
- Referrals to community resources when needed
- A multi-tiered support system with regular progress monitoring and targeted intervention in specific skill areas
Families receive regular progress reports and have continuous access to grades and completion status through the online platform.
The Learning Coach Role
Every student has a Learning Coach, typically a parent, guardian, or other responsible adult who supports daily learning in partnership with the certified teachers. Time commitment scales by grade level:
- Elementary (K-5): approximately 4-6 hours daily
- Middle School (6-8): approximately 2-4 hours daily
- High School (9-12): approximately 1-3 hours daily
Learning Coaches help guide students through lessons, modify pace when needed, and ensure work is completed. Instruction itself stays with the certified teacher. Coaches receive detailed orientation and training, regular communication with teachers, resources and guides, access to the family's Educational Concierge, connection to a community of other Learning Coaches, and regular workshops and support sessions.
Cost, Technology, and Materials
As a public school campus, the school is 100% tuition-free for Texas residents in grades K-12, with no enrollment fees or hidden costs for core educational services.
- Devices. Eligible students receive school-issued devices based on demonstrated need, determined during the enrollment process.
- Learning materials. The school provides necessary materials, which may include digital textbooks and resources, online learning tools, physical materials for hands-on activities, required reading, and specialized course materials, all at no additional cost.
- Family-provided equipment. Students need a computer with webcam and microphone, reliable high-speed internet, and an updated browser such as Chrome or Firefox. Headphones with a microphone are recommended for live classes.
Technical support is available during school hours by phone, email, and an online help portal, along with technology orientation and troubleshooting guides.
How to Enroll
The process follows six steps:
- Apply online through the secure portal.
- Meet an Admissions Specialist who walks the family through the process and answers questions.
- Complete and finalize enrollment, providing required documents and determining eligibility.
- Meet the Educational Concierge for personalized guidance on course selection and onboarding.
- Attend a live student and family orientation session.
- Access courses and begin learning.
Documents typically required include proof of Texas residency such as a utility bill or lease agreement, a birth certificate or passport, parent driver's license, social security card, immunization records or exemption forms, and previous academic records including the most recent report card, withdrawal form, and attendance records.
Mid-year transfers are accepted based on availability, and Educational Concierges work closely with transfer students to ease the transition regardless of when they join.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the school really free for families in this area?
Yes. As a public school campus of Crane ISD, the school is tuition-free for all Texas residents in grades K-12, regardless of which county or district they live in.
Is the diploma accredited?
Yes. The school is fully accredited as part of Crane ISD. The curriculum meets or exceeds Texas state standards, and diplomas are recognized by colleges, universities, employers, and military branches.
Do students still take state assessments?
Yes. State-required testing applies to students at this campus as it does at any Texas public school, and the school coordinates in-person testing locations near each student's home.
Does the school serve students with IEPs or 504 plans?
Yes. As a public school, Golden Crane provides a full range of special education services in accordance with each student's IEP and fully implements accommodations and modifications outlined in 504 plans. Families should notify the school during enrollment so services are in place from the start.
Can my child still participate in local sports and activities?
Yes. The school offers virtual clubs and activities, and many students also participate in community sports leagues, volunteer organizations, and other local extracurriculars. The flexible schedule is designed to make that possible.
How do students build friendships?
Through interactive live classes with peer collaboration, virtual clubs and extracurricular activities, online student forums, virtual field trips and special events, regional in-person meetups when possible, and service learning and community projects.
Can homeschooled students enroll?
Yes. Many families come from homeschooling backgrounds. Previous academic work is assessed during enrollment to ensure proper placement, and the Educational Concierge helps ease the transition into a structured but flexible online environment.
Get Started
Families weighing a virtual option can learn more about the school's mission, values, and Crane ISD affiliation on the About Us page.
Enrollment for the current school year is open, with limited spots available. Apply online or request more information to find out what the program would look like for your student.