The Alamo Colleges District Board of Trustees has approved the creation of a School for Online Learning, marking a step forward in the district’s strategy to expand flexible educational opportunities. The decision was made during a board meeting on October 28.
The new school will bring together more than 160 online programs under one coordinated structure. This is intended to provide consistent quality and support across all five colleges within the district. The move responds to the increasing demand for online education among working adults, student parents, and others seeking adaptable pathways to degrees or credentials.
“With the School for Online Learning, we’re creating a more cohesive experience for our students, one that reflects the same quality and support they would expect from any classroom across our colleges,” said Dr. Mike Flores, Alamo Colleges District Chancellor.
The School for Online Learning is part of a broader plan that includes developing other industry-focused schools such as the School of Emerging Technologies and the School of Nursing. These initiatives are designed to address regional workforce needs and are partially funded by a recently approved $987 million bond that will finance new academic and workforce facilities throughout the district.
Enrollment in fully online programs has grown significantly in recent years. In 2018, just over 7,000 students were enrolled exclusively online; this fall, that number reached 18,320. Most online learners in fall 2024 were adults balancing multiple responsibilities, with nearly 5,000 identified as student-parents and almost half classified as economically disadvantaged. The average age of an online learner was 27.
The district has gained national recognition for its leadership in online education through efforts such as AlamoONLINE, enhanced instructional design initiatives, expanded micro-credential offerings, and credit-for-prior-learning opportunities. This fall, it became the first higher education institution nationwide to receive the Quality Matters Endorsement for Course Design Quality Assurance.
By consolidating its online offerings under one school and emphasizing affordability and local access, Alamo Colleges District aims to remain competitive against larger national online universities entering the area. The long-term objective is to serve 25,000 fully online learners by fall 2029.
For additional information about AlamoONLINE programs and services, visit alamo.edu/online
