The University of Texas-University Charter School (UT-UCS) is a university charter school district within The College of Education at The University of Texas at Austin.

UT-UCS has 24 campuses across Texas, serving approximately 2,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Each campus is hosted by a facility partner that provides classroom and office space. These campuses are located in highly specialized settings, including:

• Residential treatment centers
• Psychiatric hospitals
• Residential homes for children
• Medical facilities serving children with brain injuries, neurobehavioral challenges or medically fragile conditions

Students enrolled in UT-UCS come from a wide range of educational backgrounds. Some have experienced academic success, while others have struggled with consistent school attendance or have faced pervasive academic failure. Student abilities range from gifted and talented to those with severe intellectual impairments. Between 35% and 45% of our students qualify for special education services—far above the state average of 9%. On some campuses, that number reaches 100%. Many students in residential treatment centers also experience significant neurological, emotional, behavioral and learning challenges.

One of the district’s most pressing challenges is student mobility. With a mobility rate exceeding 80%—compared to the state average of just under 21%—students frequently transfer in and out of programs, often returning to their home schools after short placements or stays. This high turnover demands a flexible, responsive educational model. To help meet this need, UT-UCS now offers an online school that delivers the same caring, student-centered teaching approach, providing a consistent pathway for students to earn their high school diploma regardless of their location or circumstances.

To meet these complex needs, UT-UCS employs highly skilled educators capable of teaching multi-grade level classes within a single period. All teachers are required to hold special education certification in addition to subject-area credentials. In some settings, English as a Second Language certification is also required. UT-UCS teachers are also extensively trained in trauma-informed education practices and the Neurosequential Model in Education, equipping them to support the whole child—academically, emotionally and socially.