District initiative aims to offer thousands of students home internet connectivity
Qualifying FWISD families without home internet service will soon be able to access FWISD internet, allowing students to use their devices at home.
The district is set to roll out an LTE network specifically tailored for students lacking internet access and residing in eligible ZIP codes. Participating families will receive home routers to connect to the FWISD network.
FWISD will begin with five pilot families in the Rosemont area who have been pre-selected. Those families will receive their routers by Nov. 17.
Once the program expands, families will be contacted by their campus Family Engagement specialist via phone. The district is scheduling parent meetings at pyramid high schools where eligible families can learn how to receive and use the routers. They will also learn how to access support. Families will receive additional information once the meetings are scheduled.
The same internet safeguards that protect students while online at school will also apply to this LTE network, so families do not have to worry about adding those protections themselves.
Radio towers have been installed in the eastern, southern, and northern regions of the district to facilitate this service. Since service can be interrupted in some areas, only the following ZIP codes are eligible:
- 76102
- 76103
- 76104
- 76105
- 76115
- 76119
- 76164
Eligibility was determined based on an online survey families completed during registration, which inquired about their internet service needs. To qualify, families must have a student enrolled in FWISD, reside in an eligible ZIP code, and identify a need.
“Expanding home internet access lays a critical foundation for our students’ academic and professional growth,” Assistant Superintendent of Technology Becky Navarre said. “With reliable connectivity, students can tap into educational resources, complete assignments, conduct research, and develop technological fluency — empowering them with the skills integral for excellence today and tomorrow.”
Families will get to keep the router until their youngest child graduates from FWISD or they move from the district. Each family will only get one device, even if multiple children live in the home because only one device is needed.
There are six different pyramids that will have devices available for families. Each pyramid will have a meeting with parents to teach them about the program. Families will receive that communication when meetings are set. Each meeting and device distribution will happen at the pyramid’s high school.
Currently, FWISD has approximately 4,000 devices ready for distribution, with around 2,800 qualifying families having expressed a need. A subsequent rollout is planned to accommodate those who become eligible at a later date.
“We are dedicated to bridging the digital divide, ensuring no student falls behind due to limited access outside of school,” Navarre said. “By equipping students with essential tools, this initiative enables them to unlock their boundless potential. Our goal is to make learning available beyond school walls, into students’ homes.”
