30 Highlights Across 30 Years: Celebrating VHS Learning’s Legacy of Innovation and Equity in Online Education
2026 marks a remarkable milestone for VHS Learning: 30 years of providing high-quality online learning opportunities to students across the globe.
Since 1996, VHS Learning has empowered schools to deliver meaningful learning opportunities, expanded educational access in underserved districts, and ignited curiosity for hundreds of thousands of students around the world. What began as a pioneering experiment in virtual education has grown into a global standard for high-quality, teacher-led online courses.
In honor of this anniversary, we’re looking back on 30 highlights from the past 30 years–memorable moments, notable accomplishments, and core values that define our mission, innovation, and the impact that VHS Learning has made in our education community across the world.
The VHS Learning journey
- 1996: Breaking Ground in Online Education
Launched through a U.S. Department of Education Technology Innovation Challenge Grant, “Virtual High School” became one of the first ever online learning platforms for high school students. - 2001: Achieved Nonprofit Status
VHS, Inc. officially became a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to high-quality online education for all students. - 2016: Established MMA: Now VHS Learning Academy
To provide students with a more flexible pathway to a high school diploma, we established VHS Learning Academy (originally known as Massachusetts Mayflower Academy), our full-time accredited online private high school. Our 2025 rebrand to VHS Learning Academy reflects its connection to its parent organization, VHS Learning and our long-standing record of innovation and academic success in online learning programs. - 2024: Developed a 5-Year Strategic Plan
We published our five-year strategic plan to outline VHS Learning’s strategic objectives from 2024 to 2029, while also highlighting our core beliefs and commitments to students, unique offerings, and measures of success.
Upholding our commitment to furthering the quality of online education
- 1997: A Pioneer in Online Teacher Training
Long before virtual learning was mainstream, VHS Learning developed our rigorous, graduate-level Online Teaching Methodologies (OTM) course to train educators to deliver effective online instruction. - 2009: Helped Develop the National Standards for Quality Online Programs
Alongside the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) Quality Standards for Online Programs Committee, VHS Learning co-founder Liz Pape contributed to the first edition of the National Standards for Quality Online Programs, helping establish a framework for online program leadership, instruction, content, support services, and evaluation. - 2020: Supplemental PD for Online Teaching
To support educators who had to venture into virtual education during the pandemic, VHS Learning developed two new professional learning opportunities to expand upon and supplement our OTM course: Critical Skills for Online Teaching and Effective Instructional Strategies for Online Classrooms. - 2022: Online Teaching PD for Chinese Language Educators
To promote the global development of online Chinese language courses, VHS Learning partnered with Chinese Plus to host a special session of our OTM course focused completely on Chinese language teaching. We did this again in the summer of 2023, which we followed by introducing our online Chinese Language and Culture course for VHS Learning students. - Led by Highly-Qualified, Trained Teachers
While many online platforms move toward automation, VHS Learning remains committed to providing high-quality curriculum and a rich online learning experience, with certified teachers leading every class and site coordinators to support the learning process. - Ongoing Leadership to Improve Online Learning Programs
VHS Learning leadership has always been deeply engaged with initiatives that enhance the quality of and access to online education for K-12 students. In 2019, VHS Learning President & CEO Carol DeFuria contributed to the second edition of the National Standards for Quality Online Programs. VHS Learning Academy Dean Amy Michalowski co-led the most recent revision of the online learning standards, published in 2025.
Expanding access to high-quality online learning
- Accredited Programs for High School Students
VHS Learning is accredited by Middle States Association Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS) and the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC), affirming the quality and rigor of our courses and instructional practices. - Online Learning Flexibility for Student Athletes
All eligible VHS Learning courses have earned initial NCAA approval, opening doors for student-athletes needing flexible pathways to eligibility and meeting graduation requirements. - An Expansive Catalog of AP® Courses
VHS Learning offers one of the largest online catalogs of Advanced Placement® courses, now totaling 29 AP® offerings. - Exploring Topics Beyond Traditional Elective Offerings
VHS Learning connects learners with unique elective courses not found in most traditional high schools—from criminology to screenwriting—fueling student passion and exploration of possible career pathways. - A Global Learning Community
VHS Learning has reached students beyond U.S. borders, planting the seeds for today’s presence in in all 50 U.S. states and 63 countries around the world.
8 Years of CSforALL Commitments
- 2017 - 2024: 8 Years of CSforALL Commitments
From the inception of the CSforALL movement and summit, VHS Learning made annual commitments to expand computer science access, which directly reached more than 12,000 students, 610 districts, and 600 schools nationwide. - 2017: New Computer Science Courses
Our first CSforALL commitment led VHS Learning to develop and launch new online Intro to CS Principles and Java Programming - 2018-2019: Cybersecurity for All
As part of our 2018 commitment, VHS Learning developed a 15-week online cybersecurity course, as well as a 4-week companion module on cybersecurity, which we launched in the 2019-2020 academic year. In 2019, we expanded upon this commitment and piloted a full-semester cybersecurity course across 10 districts. - 2022: Adding More Programming Languages to Our Curriculum
To meet students’ growing need for diverse programming foundations and knowledge, we expanded our computer science catalog with Python Programming in 2022. - 2020: Free AP CS Course in Rural Districts
In partnership with the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI), we supported enrollment in AP® Computer Science Principles to 150 high school students from five rural school districts across the United States, at no direct cost to the students or their school systems. - 2024: Launching Artificial Intelligence Curriculum
A new high school half-credit Artificial Intelligence course launched this year, exploring machine learning and ethics in the age of AI. - AP® Computer Science Enrollment for Rural Districts
Throughout all 8 years of CSforALL commitments, VHS Learning opened CS pathways for thousands of students by offering enrollment in AP® Computer Science Principles to underserved rural districts across the country.
Recognition for our work: Awards & grants we’ve received
- 2021: Awarded $1.4M Manton Foundation Grant
We received a $1.4 million, three-year grant from The Manton Foundation, which funded updates to our infrastructure, website, and course offerings and supported our ability to offer supplemental online learning to schools in rural and high-needs areas. - 2021: Expanding AP® STEM Access Across Massachusetts
We partnered with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (MA DESE) to create the STEM Advanced Placement Access Expansion Opportunity, a $9M statewide initiative that expanded AP® STEM access to over 50 high schools and 1,500 students. - 2023: Received a Library of Congress Grant
VHS Learning was selected to receive a $25,000 grant, funded by the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) program, to build a high-quality U.S. History curriculum and professional development emphasizing discussion and primary source analysis. - 2021: Passionate Leadership in Education
President & CEO Carol DeFuria was honored as one of 20 women leading the education industry by Equity & Access Magazine.
The power of online education: Academic success at VHS Learning
- AP® Exam Scores Exceed the Global Average
For over 10 years, VHS Learning AP® students have surpassed global AP® exam score averages. - 99% School Retention Rate
99% of schools return to partner with VHS Learning year after year––proof that our supplemental courses fill all the gaps in their curriculum & consistently meet students’ needs. - Consistently High Achievement and Course Pass Rates
Thanks to our student-centered approach and highly-qualified educators, VHS Learning course pass rates remain strong––92% overall and 81% in credit recovery. - VHS Learning Academy Students Reach Academic Goals
Students in our full-time program, VHS Learning Academy (formerly known as MMA), are able to receive a diploma with the flexibility of online learning. The Academy boasts a 91% student pass rate, setting students up to pursue their future goals.
30 Years, 300,000 Futures
With 16,000+ annual enrollments, 500+ school partners, and 250+ courses, VHS Learning continues to set the standard for high-quality online high school education.
For 30 years, our online learning program has proven that when students have access to great teachers, meaningful courses, and a supportive community, anything is possible. This anniversary celebrates more than longevity for VHS Learning, it highlights our legacy of innovation, equity, and opportunity.
Here’s to the next 30 years of igniting passions, opening doors to new career pathways, and empowering every student to thrive.
/Private-School-Girls_VHS_SPM14621.jpg?width=352&name=Private-School-Girls_VHS_SPM14621.jpg)