Central Minnesota Virtual Academy reports enrollment growth and outlines supports for online students
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
District staff reported growth in the Central Minnesota Virtual Academy (CMVA), described pathways for full‑time and part‑time students, attendance tracking via Schoology, hotspots/devices for connectivity, counseling interventions and that 92% of full‑time seniors are on track to graduate.
Laura Friess, Apollo High assistant principal and CMVA administrator, and Tyler Malatki, CMVA counselor, delivered an update on Central Minnesota Virtual Academy (CMVA), the district’s online high‑school program.
"We serve students in grades 9 through 12," Friess said, describing the program model and the four participation pathways (full time, part time, supplemental and out‑of‑district open enrollment). Presenters reported 450 students were taking at least one online class in the December (trimester 2) snapshot.
Presenters described notable growth in some cohorts, including a cited increase “up 52% to 91 in trimester 2 from 60 in August” for a tracked cohort. They said much of the growth came from open enrollment and transfers from nearby districts.
CMVA supports both full‑time and part‑time students. Part‑time students typically blend online classes with in‑person courses at Tech, Apollo or McKinley; the district provides a Chromebook and, when necessary, a shipped hotspot to students who lack reliable Internet access. Friess and Malatki explained that CMVA tracks daily attendance by student interactions in Schoology and follows up when students’ engagement drops; follow‑up includes phone calls, home visits and truancy letters when appropriate.
On outcomes, presenters said CMVA had 29 full‑time seniors and that 92% of those seniors were on track to graduate. The presenters said counselors work with families to consider whether full‑time CMVA seniors will graduate with their home school (Apollo or Tech), and that student preferences are part of that decision.
Board members asked about demographic trends and potential equity concerns. Friess said last year’s enrollment was close to 50/50 female/male and that CMVA’s cultural demographics closely matched an alternative learning center profile; staff offered to provide updated demographic breakdowns on request. The presentation was informational; no action was taken.