HOUSTON — Virtual learning is tough, but it can feel nearly impossible for parents struggling to provide their children with the needed equipment, such as laptops and internet.
That's why HISD is opening select campuses this week to support families who do not have access to the technology needed to participate in online learning at home.
The centers are only available to those without access to technology.
The Digital Learning Centers, which are scheduled to open Tuesday, will be available to middle school and elementary students. They will be opened weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
HISD isn't the first Houston-area school district to implement digital centers to help disadvantaged families.
Fort Bend ISD is also transforming campuses into resource centers with Fort Bend ISD Learning Centers, which were met with an overwhelming response. They're also starting out the school year completely online.
The Texas Education Agency requires school districts who are operating under remote learning to give access to on-campus instruction to students who live in households without internet or other needed devices, the district said.
The centers will help disadvantaged students participate in the HISD @ H.O.M.E Learning program. HISD said eligible students can use the center until they’re given the necessary resources from their school.
According to the district, HISD will provide a ride to and from the center for students. Parents should contact their child’s school for more information.
Participants will also be served a free breakfast and lunch daily, according to officials.
The centers will conduct health screenings daily to ensure students' safety, and students riding the bus are required to wear masks and maintain social distancing.
The HISD Digital Learning Centers are listed below. The schools that will be served by each Digital Learning Center are listed in italics. Students must be approved and assigned to a Digital Learning Center by their home campus.
Burnet Elementary School – Digital Learning Center
- Tijerina ES
- Lantrip ES
- Cage ES
- Franklin ES
- DeZavala ES
- JP Henderson ES
- Laurenzo ECC
- Davila ES
- Gallegos ES
- Briscoe ES
Lewis Elementary School – Digital Learning Center
- Bonner ES
- Park Place ES
- Crespo ES
- JR Harris ES
Holland Middle School – Digital Learning Center
- Robinson ES
- Port Houston ES
- Whittier ES
- Pugh ES
- R. Martinez ES
- Pleasantville ES
- RP Harris ES
- Carrillo ES
- Oates ES
- Scroggins ES
- Elmore ES
Ortiz Middle School – Digital Learning Center
- Southmayd ES
- Sanchez ES
- Foster ES
- Peck ES
- Thompson ES
- Lockhart ES
- Hartsfield ES
- Blackshear ES
Patterson Elementary School – Digital Learning Center
- Rucker ES
- North Area Digital Learning Centers
North Area Digital Learning Centers
Barrick Elementary School – Digital Learning Center
- Moreno ES
- Scarborough ES
- Coop ES
Burbank Elementary School – Digital Learning Center
- Northline ES
- Janowski ES
Burrus Elementary School – Digital Learning Center
- Kennedy ES
- Roosevelt ES
- Durkee ES
- Osborne ES
Cook Elementary School – Digital Learning Center
- Paige ES
- Atherton ES
Kashmere Gardens Elementary School – Digital Learning Center
- Isaacs ES
- NQ Henderson ES
Lyons Elementary School– Digital Learning Center
- DeChaumes ES
- Garcia ES
- Farias ECC
- Herrera ES
Ross Elementary School– Digital Learning Center
- Jefferson ES
- Berry ES
Shadydale Elementary School– Digital Learning Center
- Fonwood MS
- McGowen ES
Northwest Area Digital Learning Centers
Sherman Elementary School – Digital Learning Center
- Eliot ES
- Ketelsen ES
- Looscan ES
Hogg Middle School– Digital Learning Center
- Travis ES
- Browning ES
- Field ES
- Sinclair ES
- Helms ES
- Love ES
- Harvard ES
- Memorial ES
- Crockett ES
- Wharton ES
- Gregory Lincoln
Pershing Middle School– Digital Learning Center
- Poe ES
- Rice School PK-8
- West University ES
- MacGregor ES
- Roberts ES
- Twain ES
- River Oaks ES
- Wilson Montessori
- Arabic Immersion
Smith Elementary School– Digital Learning Center
- Benbrook ES
- Wainwright ES
- Stevens ES
- Durham ES
- Garden Oaks
- Oak Forest
South Area Digital Learning Centers
Almeda Elementary School – Digital Learning Center
- Petersen ES
- MLK ECC
- Reagan Ed Ctr PK-8
Anderson Elementary School– Digital Learning Center
- Gross ES
- Foerster ES
- Halpin ECC
- Shearn ES
Bastian Elementary School– Digital Learning Center
- Alcott ES
- Frost ES
- DeAnda ES
- Mitchell ES
- Mading ES
- Young ES
- Whidby ES
Brookline Elementary School– Digital Learning Center
- Bellfort ECC
- Kelso ES
Cornelius Elementary School – Digital Learning Center
- Golfcrest ES
- Garden Villas ES
Grissom Elementary School– Digital Learning Center
- Windsor Village ES
Hobby Elementary School– Digital Learning Center
- Montgomery ES
- Hines-Caldwell ES
Tinsley Elementary School – Digital Learning Center
- Parker ES
- Red ES
- Bell ES
Woodson PK-5 – Digital Learning Center
- Codwell ES
- Law ES
- Reynolds ES
West Area Digital Learning Centers
Cunningham Elementary School – Digital Learning Center
- Bush ES
- Condit ES
- Daily ES
- Longfellow ES
- McNamara ES
- Neff ES
- Piney Point ES
- School at St. George Place
- M White ES
- Shadowbriar ES
- Neff ECC
Fondren Elementary School– Digital Learning Center
- Elrod ES
- Valley West ES
Jane Long Academy– Digital Learning Center
- Ashford ES
- Briargrove ES
- Briarmeadow
- Mandarin Immersion
- TH Rogers
- Bonham ES
Rodriguez Elementary School– Digital Learning Center
- Askew ES
- Benavidez ES
- Braeburn ES
- Horn ES
- Kolter ES
- Lovett ES
- Piney Point ES
- Pilgrim Academy
- Mistral ECC
- Herod ES
Sutton Elementary School– Digital Learning Center
- Milne ES
- E. White ES
- Emerson ES
- Walnut Bend ES
Achieve 180 Digital Learning Centers
Dogan Elementary School– Digital Learning Center
- Bruce ES
- C. Martinez ES
Highland Heights Elementary School– Digital Learning Center
- Wesley ES
Hilliard Elementary School– Digital Learning Center
- Marshall ES
Seguin Elementary School– Digital Learning Center
- Gregg ES
Sugar Grove Academy – Digital Learning Center
- Sugar Grove Academy students only.