Are you looking for online, accredited school options for your high school student(s) that not only offer a supportive learning environment, but also “gets it” when it comes to active-duty military families? The DoDEA’s Virtual High School, inaugurated in the 2010-2011 academic school year, could be worth your consideration. It currently serves more than 67,000 military-connected students and provides flexible courses with real-time certified teachers ready to support.
Virtual Options to Meet the Evolving Needs of Students
The DoDEA Virtual High School (DVHS) is part of DoDEA Schools and provides additional options such as:
- DoDEA Virtual High School (DVHS) Supplemental – Provides more than 85 asynchronous course offerings to current DoDEA students at face-to-face locations, including Advanced Placement, in alignment with the DoDEA College and Career Readiness Standards.
- DVHS Expanded Eligibility Participation Program (E2P2) – Available to certain eligible active-duty dependents in the U.S. Supplements up to two credits of high school coursework annually under the National Defense Authorization Act.
- Non-DoD Schools Program (NDSP) – Provides PK-12th grade educational and financial assistance (educational allowances and home study expenses) to command-sponsored and active-duty military families in overseas locations where no DoDEA schools are available.
- DVHS Summer School Program – Provides DoDEA high school students with the opportunity to earn an equivalent of one-semester course credit, with priority given to seniors who may need it to graduate. This program allows students to recover failing grades or work ahead.
These program options are designed to create more than one pathway for student success. This is particularly beneficial to military-connected students whose education may be impacted by duty station changes, deployments, or a lack of access to educational resources.
What Makes DoDEA Virtual Stand Out?
The DoDEA Virtual programs are built with the military family in mind. Certified teachers accommodate students in different time zones and provide one-on-one live support, content is accessible via the Schoology learning management system, and facilitators monitor student progress and serve as intermediaries for administrative support.
In accordance with DoDEA Regulation 2946.1, “School Counseling Services,” and DoDEA Manual 2946.2, “Department of Defense Education Activity School Counseling Services,” mental health professionals are available to students to help them with academic planning, emotional and social needs, and challenges that inevitably come with the military lifestyle. The DVHS model recognizes that military life often equates to transition and how consistency can be essential to maintain academic progress without significant interruptions.
Notably, DVHS is focused on college and career readiness standards to prepare students for the future. It does so by instilling academic rigor in partnership with the College Entrance Exam Board standards and promoting the well-rounded personal growth and development of its students through skills, habits, and educational core competencies. The DoDEA places emphasis on well-being, critical thinking skills, and the pursuit of knowledge.
See the DoDEA College and Career Ready Education Programs site for specific details regarding its objectives and mission, which aim to establish clear, consistent, and high learning goals, focus on preparing students for success in college and careers, set a foundation for greater success and growth in mathematics and literacy, and set grade-by-grade learning expectations. It is noted on the site how these standards have been replicated in the majority of the states, further benefiting the portability of learning for military students.
DoDEA Culture of Innovation
The Digital and Virtual Learning Division is implementing a five-year strategic plan that will facilitate teaching and learning experiences to meet the changing needs of students. This plan includes a four-pronged approach with attention to DoDEA Virtual world-wide connectedness and increased course capacity for acceleration, educational technology, curricula with an embedded information center, and an instructional design services branch.
The culture of innovation supports academic achievement, adaptability, and resilience. This helps shape the DVHS approach to online learning and technological preparedness.
DoDEA’s Commitment to Student Success
The DoDEA Virtual High School model demonstrates that quality education, mobility, and access to high learning standards enable equity for active-duty military families. While there are no discussions on expanding DoDEA’s virtual capability below the high school level or to all military-connected children, its virtual program options help fill in gaps and provide continuity of learning, especially for military students stationed overseas with very limited options.
The DoDEA Virtual High School stands as a useful educational bridge for active-duty military students who often experience military lifestyle challenges. By offering accredited, flexible, and supportive online pathways, DoDEA helps students continue their education with consistency and academic excellence.
To learn more about eligibility, course options, and enrollment, visit DoDEA Virtual High School.
Please note that the DoDEA schools have remained in session and will continue essential school operations despite the government shutdown. For more information, visit the DoDEA Contingency Plan site.
