Texas TEFA FAQ

TEFA is a new Texas state program that gives families money to pay for their child's education. Instead of your child's education dollars going straight to a public school, the state puts that money into an account for your family. You choose where your child learns — including Red Comet Virtual Academy.

Any Texas family with a school-age child in Kindergarten through 12th grade may apply. TEFA awards are made in priority order. Tier 1 (highest priority): students with a qualifying disability in households at or below 500% of the Federal Poverty Level (~$160,000 for a family of four). Tier 2: students in households at or below 200% of FPL (~$66,000 for a family of four). Tier 3: households between 200% and 500% of FPL. Tier 4: all other applicants. Within each tier, students transitioning from public school are prioritized over students currently in private school.. You do not need to be currently enrolled in any school to apply.

Funding depends on your child's situation: $10,474 per year for a participating private-school student; up to $30,000 per year for a student with a qualifying disability and an IEP on file with TEA; $2,000 per year for a homeschool/non-enrolled student.
Red Comet tuition is covered by the standard private-school award.

Yes. The application window for 2026–27 ran February 4 – March 31, 2026 (extended by court order from March 17). Award notifications began the week of April 22, 2026 (Tier 1) and continued the week of May 4 (Tier 2). Lower-tier notifications continue, and additional waitlist movements may occur as families decline awards. The 2027–28 application window is expected to open in February 2027 — join our 2027–28 interest list. We strongly encourage you to apply as early as possible.

Visit educationfreedom.texas.gov to submit your application. Once approved, simply select Red Comet Virtual Academy as your provider. Our enrollment team is available to walk you through every step — just call 1-833-RED-TEFA.

TEFA is an Education Savings Account (ESA) — similar to a school voucher but more flexible. The state deposits funds into an account in your child's name. You use those funds to pay for approved educational expenses, including Red Comet tuition.

Yes — in fact, low-income families are the first priority. Families earning under $66,000 per year (for a family of four) are Priority #1 in the application process. Red Comet's enrollment team is here to help you through every step at no cost to you.

Once you are accepted into TEFA and remain in good standing, you do not reapply each year. You submit an annual intent to continue, and your account remains active. Unused funds carry forward as long as your child remains in the program.

For $8,900 (Standard Academic Pathway), the Red Comet TEFA program includes:

1. a. Complete grade-specific curriculum with certificated-teacher grading for student submissions
2. b. Weekly direct contact between each student and a certificated teacher — with proactive outreach by the teacher if a student has not maintained contact
3. c. A Texas-based Local Learning Mentor who checks in regularly on your child's non-academic well-being and progress
4. d. Monthly progress reports, including specific intervention plans when a student is off track
5. e. Access to our Academic Counselors for middle and high school planning
6. f. Access to our SPED Guidance Counselor, who can advise families with special learning needs
7. g. Conference access with our Head of Teachers for specific academic concerns
8. h. Maintenance of full student records, including transcripts, attendance, assessments, communications, intervention notes — over the school year and beyond
9. i. Requesting and integrating records from your child's prior school(s)
10. j. Cognia accreditation (TEPSAC-recognized), so credits transfer cleanly to other schools and colleges
11. k. Annual Growth assessment, required for TEFA participation in grades 3–12
12. l. Audit-ready documentation maintained per Texas Comptroller program rules
13. m. A laptop included with enrollment
14. n. An IXL account included for optional supplemental practice

They are two different programs designed for two different families.
The Red Comet Catalog sells individual accredited courses. Each course includes the curriculum, our AI Companion Tutor, certificated teacher grading, and a Red Comet transcript issued for that specific course. The catalog is designed for families whose child is already enrolled in a school and wants to add a course or two — for example, to take an AP course their school doesn't offer, recover a credit, or supplement homeschool instruction.
The TEFA Private School Program is a full school enrollment. Red Comet becomes your child's school of record. Your tuition (Standard, or Premium for grades 7–12) covers everything a catalog course includes, plus:

• A laptop for use during the school year
• IXL adaptive learning platform (math, language arts, science, and more)
• 24/7 live one-on-one tutoring, available across all subjects
• School supplies, art supplies, and a science toolkit
• A Texas-based local mentor who checks in throughout the year
• Academic counseling (middle and high school)
• Course selection guidance and placement testing
• General counseling and guidance for students with special education needs
• The annual norm-referenced assessment required by TEFA
• A complete Red Comet diploma pathway and official transcript

Which program is right for your family depends on what you need. If your child needs a full accredited K–12 school with built-in academic support, mentoring, technology, and supplies, the TEFA Private School Program is the right path — and your TEFA award covers it in full, with funds remaining in your Odyssey account for additional approved expenses like specialized therapies, outside tutoring, transportation, or industry certification exam fees.
If your child is already enrolled somewhere else and just needs a few supplemental courses, the catalog is the right path.
Both paths use the same accredited Red Comet curriculum. The difference is whether Red Comet is your child's school or whether Red Comet is supplementing the school your child already has.

Yes. Red Comet's standard tuition can be fully covered by the TEFA award.

Yes. Red Comet has a Premium Career-Ready Program (Grades 7–12) which includes a SkillSoft license for job certification prep.

For more information on TEFA funds, you may visit: educationfreedom.texas.gov

For more information on TEFA funds, you may visit: educationfreedom.texas.gov

Red Comet is a fully accredited online K-12 school. We have been serving students across the United States since 1999. We are based in Frisco, Texas, and are proud to be a TEFA-Approved Provider for Texas families.

Yes. Red Comet is accredited by Cognia (formerly AdvancED), the unified successor to several historic regional accrediting bodies including the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC), the North Central Association (NCA), and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS CASI). Cognia accreditation is recognized by the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission (TEPSAC) and is one of 19 accrediting bodies approved for participating schools under the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program. Red Comet's credits are accepted by colleges, universities, and school districts nationwide.

No. Red Comet is self-paced. Your child studies when it works for your family — morning, evening, or weekends. Students can log in from anywhere and the courses are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week within the enrollment period.

Red Comet serves students in Kindergarten through 12th grade (K–12). We offer over 200 accredited courses including core academics, electives, Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and career-readiness programs.

Yes. Every Red Comet course comes with a certificated, qualified teacher. Teachers are reachable by email or using the messaging system on the course/enrollment platform. Teachers typically respond to questions within two to three business days and return graded assignments within 5 business days.

Yes. All Red Comet teachers are U.S. state certified. All Red Comet teachers hold state teaching certifications. Our teachers are certified in multiple states across the U.S., consistent with how accredited online K–12 schools operate nationally.

All Red Comet teachers hold state teaching certifications, primarily from Washington and Arkansas. Texas TEFA program rules don't require Texas certification — they require schools to be accredited by a TEPSAC-recognized body, and Cognia's qualified-teacher standards are satisfied by certification from a recognized state authority. This is the same model used by every accredited online K–12 school serving multiple states. Washington's certification standards in particular are among the most rigorous in the country, requiring a master's level of preparation. We're proud of the teachers we hire.

Every Red Comet student is matched with a local mentor in the Texas area. Your child's mentor provides regular check-ins, keeps them on track with their coursework, and offers encouragement and support throughout the school year. Local Learning Mentors are not teachers and provide non-academic support to ensure students overcome barriers to education. This is one of the most unique features of the Red Comet program.

IXL is a widely-used adaptive practice platform covering math, language arts, science, social studies, and Spanish for K–12. Red Comet purchases IXL licenses in bulk and provides one to each enrolled student at the start of the school year, at no additional cost beyond tuition.

Is it required? No. Red Comet's curriculum is complete and self-contained. The large majority of our students never use IXL to succeed — our 200+ accredited courses, certified teachers, and AI Companion Tutor provide everything needed for grade-level mastery and beyond.

Why do we provide it? Some parents like having an additional at-home practice tool. A family that wants their child to drill multiplication facts after a math unit, or a parent who wants to give an advanced learner extra challenge problems, can use IXL for that purpose. Because Red Comet students learn from home rather than on a campus, we make IXL available as an optional reinforcement tool families can reach for if and when they want it.

Does IXL replace any part of Red Comet's curriculum? No. IXL is supplemental practice, not instruction. Red Comet's curriculum and teachers deliver the academic program; IXL is available as additional skill-building at the family's discretion.

Does IXL affect my child's Red Comet grades or transcript? No. Red Comet course grades reflect only the work your child completes on the Red Comet platform — assignments, projects, quizzes, and unit assessments delivered through our curriculum. Time spent on IXL, or scores earned on IXL practice exercises, do not factor into Red Comet course grades, and cannot be the basis of a grade-change request — regardless of how many hours your child has spent on IXL. Similarly, IXL results are not reflected on the official Red Comet transcript and cannot be added to it.
IXL is a practice tool; the Red Comet curriculum is the academic program of record.

SkillSoft is one of the world's largest professional learning platforms — used by 60% of Fortune 1,000 companies and 105+ million learners. Through Red Comet's partnership with the National Education Foundation (NEF), the same training tools Fortune 1,000 employees use to advance their careers are available to Red Comet students in grades 7–12 enrolled in the Premium Career-Ready Pathway — included in tuition.

Students use the SkillSoft license to prepare for in-demand industry certification exams in IT, cybersecurity, cloud computing, project management, and business — including CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, Cisco CCNA, AWS Cloud Practitioner, and PMI CAPM credentials. These are real workforce credentials accepted by employers nationwide, not classroom-only achievements.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, candidates may qualify for Computer Support Specialist positions with a high school diploma plus relevant IT certifications. The median annual wage for Computer User Support Specialists was $60,340, and for Computer Network Support Specialists was $73,340 (BLS, May 2024). Entry-level wages start lower and rise with experience.

Included with Premium Pathway tuition: SkillSoft training, practice exams, and study materials.

Not included: Certification exam fees themselves (typically $100–$500 per exam), which are paid directly to the issuing organization (CompTIA, Cisco, AWS, etc.). Many families apply remaining TEFA funds toward exam fees through the Odyssey marketplace, where industry certification exams may qualify as approved educational expenses — confirm in your Odyssey portal before purchase.

Through the SkillSoft platform, high school students (Grades 7–12) can pursue Industry-Based Certifications (IBCs) including CompTIA, Cisco, AWS, and other credentials. These certificates give students a real head start in the workforce.

Red Comet offers over 200 accredited courses including English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, World Languages, Fine Arts, Health, Physical Education, Business, Engineering & Technology, and College & Career Readiness. AP courses are also available for high school students. Please refer to the catalog for a full listing.

Yes, a computer or laptop is required for coursework. Students may view lessons on tablets or phones, but final tests must be completed on a computer. If your child has safe access to a local library or community center with a desktop and internet access, they can work from there as well. As long as your child has internet access, they can log in to the platform and work from anywhere at any time.

Red Comet supports many students who learn differently or have an IEP. Our self-paced asynchronous model makes unlimited time on tasks possible; instructional content is delivered in multiple modalities (text, video, audio, simulations); and the AI Companion Tutor responds to questions in plain language and the student's preferred language. As a TEFA-participating private school, Red Comet is not required to implement a public-school IEP, and we do not provide direct therapeutic services (speech, occupational, behavioral therapy, etc.). Families of students with significant special-education needs typically allocate part of their TEFA award (which may be up to $30,000 for an IEP-eligible student) to Red Comet tuition for academics and the remainder to TEFA-approved Texas-based therapists, tutors, and educational services. Please contact us to discuss your child's specific situation before enrolling.

Many Spanish-speaking students have successfully completed courses on Red Comet. Our self-paced format gives students more time to work through material at their own comfort level. While all instruction and teacher support is provided in English, many Red Comet courses feature an AI companion that acts as a personal tutor — and it responds in the language your child uses, including Spanish. This means your child can get real-time guidance and explanations in their own language, any time of day.

Yes. As required for TEFA-participating private schools, Red Comet administers a nationally recognized norm-referenced assessment annually to all enrolled students in grades 3–12. The test is online. There is no STAAR or state-mandated test. Parents authorize Red Comet to share results with Odyssey for TEFA program reporting.

No. Red Comet is non-sectarian. Students are not required to participate in any religious instruction or activity. Our curriculum is academically focused, aligned to national and state standards, and welcomes students of all faiths and no faith.

No. Per 34 TAC §16.408, TEFA participation does not make Red Comet a state actor or a recipient of federal financial assistance. Red Comet retains full autonomy over admissions, curriculum, instructional methods, and operational policies.

Follow these steps:

• Step 1: Apply for TEFA at educationfreedom.texas.gov before March 17, 2026.
• Step 2: Once approved, select Red Comet as your provider.
• Step 3: Call our team at 1-833-RED-TEFA (1-833-733-8332) or visit redcomet.org/texas to complete your Red Comet enrollment. We will guide you through every step.
  Red Comet's enrollment line. Not affiliated with the Texas Comptroller's office or the Odyssey TEFA platform. To apply for TEFA, visit educationfreedom.texas.gov

Yes! Our enrollment team will walk you through the TEFA application process. We are here to help. Call us at 1-833-RED-TEFA (1-833-733-8332) or fill out the contact form and someone will be in touch with you.
1-833-RED-TEFA is Red Comet's enrollment line. Not affiliated with the Texas Comptroller's office or the Odyssey TEFA platform. To apply for TEFA, visit educationfreedom.texas.gov

Red Comet’s academic year begins in August. Your child's laptop ships before the first day of school. Account access and login details are provided before classes begin.

Yes. Each child in your household qualifies for their own individual TEFA award. You will need to submit a separate application for each child. Red Comet also offers an automatic sibling discount: 10% off tuition for the second child and 15% off for the third child and beyond. The discount applies to all families and is applied automatically at enrollment.

If you missed this deadline, we can discuss options and help you prepare for the next enrollment cycle. Please still contact us at 1-833-RED-TEFA (1-833-733-8332 – Red Comet’s enrollment line) or Join 2027–28 Interest List →.

Call us at 1-833-RED-TEFA (1-833-733-8332) — our enrollment team is available to answer your questions. You can also contact us online and we will call you back within 24 hours.

Our enrollment team is available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time.

Red Comet is a fully online K–12 private school — students learn from home, on their own schedule. Our company is headquartered in Frisco, Texas. All of Red Comet's leadership, board members, and core operations team — including our IT/curriculum/operations lead, registrar, enrollment coordinators, and marketing lead — are Texas residents. We are 100% American-owned and approved as a participating private school under the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program.

Red Comet is a fully online school, so we don't have a campus that students attend in person — your child's classroom is wherever they have their laptop. Our team works remotely from across Texas. If you'd like to meet a member of our team in person, we're happy to arrange an online call.