Virtual Academy seniors ask LAUSD board for independent commencement ceremonies

Students from the Leadership and Public Service Virtual Academy told the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education on March 11 that the district should permit their school to hold an independent graduation rather than grouping all virtual academies into a single, multi‑hour commencement.

Speakers said the combined ceremony has historically lasted more than five hours, limits student speakers and dilutes the personal meaning of graduation. "We would have met the deadline had we not heard conflicting messaging that kept pointing us in different directions," said Sakur Singh, a senior, who said students have secured a venue, fundraising and teacher support and that 80% of surveyed students prefer an independent ceremony.

Multiple student callers made the same request. Jamila told the board the administration had repeatedly told students it was "too late" to change plans, but that virtual academy leadership previously altered graduation dates, indicating some flexibility. Christopher Salatores said combining schools made the ceremony impersonal and urged the board to "please support the request of us as students and our parents for an independent graduation." Johanna Galvez and Brianna Hernandez echoed those requests and said students and parents were not consulted in prior planning.

Several students cited a district bulletin that sets a deadline for graduation plans (commenters said it requires submission 10 days before winter break) and argued administrators had nonetheless been able to modify dates in other instances. Students asked the board to intervene so they can hold a ceremony that is "intimate, personal and meaningful" for their cohort.

The board did not announce a decision on graduation scheduling at the end of the meeting.