After a school year like no other, Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy (MGLVA), an online public school serving K-12 students throughout the state since 2013, will celebrate its graduates a virtual commencement ceremony on June 3^rd.

MGLVA is tuition-free to all students who reside in Michigan, staffed by state-licensed teachers, and is an authorized online public-school program of the Manistee School District.

“While other schools may have struggled with online learning throughout the year, MGLVA never missed a day of instruction, which kept our students motivated, excited, and moving forward,” said MGLVA Head of School Kendall Schroeder. “Their achievements deserve to be shouted from the shores of Lake Michigan, and we’re so happy to have provided a range of solutions to help all our MGLVA families.”

This year, MGLVA will graduate nearly 275 students. Forty-six students will graduate with a cumulative GPA above 3.5 and several college scholarships have reportedly been awarded to the Class of 2021.

Collectively, the graduating class reports it has been accepted to colleges and universities across Michigan and beyond including Penn State University, Kettering University, Western Michigan University, and the University of Michigan to name a few, as well as several community colleges and trades programs.

Kara Gonzalez and Aidan Lawlor are MGLVA’s 2021 co-valedictorians. Kara plans to attend Southern New Hampshire University for creative writing and English fiction. Aidan plans to attend Kalamazoo Valley Community College in the fall. Alyssa Cahill is the class salutatorian. The guest speaker for Commencement will be Kevin Chavous, Stride’s President, Academic Policy and External Affairs.

“MGLVA was a breath of fresh air in an otherwise all-around odd year for me and my family,” said senior and Valedictorian Kara Gonzalez. “I feel like I have the tools to move my life forward and I couldn’t be more thankful.”

Prior to the pandemic, students enrolled in virtual school for a number of reasons—some were looking to escape bullying, some may have fallen academically off track, and others were looking for an alternative to the traditional classroom setting.

MGLVA students access a robust online curriculum in the core subjects and a host of electives and attend live virtual classes taught by state-certified teachers.

MGLVA is inviting all families and friends worldwide to join the celebration. Details of the graduation ceremonies are as follows:

WHAT: Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy 2021 Graduation Ceremony

WHEN: Thursday, June 3^rd, 2021, 6:00 PM

CONTACT: For any questions about the celebrations, please contact Kara Showerman at kshowerman@k12.com. For media inquiries, please contact Ken Schwartz at kschwartz@k12.com.

About Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy

Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy (MGLVA) is a full-time, online public charter school, authorized by Manistee Area Public Schools and serves students in grades K through 12. MGLVA is tuition-free and provides families the choice to access the curriculum and tools provided by K12, a Stride Company (NYSE: LRN). Stride offers learners of all ages a more effective way to learn and build skills for their future. For more information about MGLVA, visit mglva.k12.com.

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A Time to Celebrate the Students! Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy Class of 2021 Ready to Move Forward