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In March 2026, the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education (Commissioner) will make recommendations to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (Board) regarding the renewal of the certificates for two Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual Schools (CMVS). Please contact the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department) at virtualschools@mass.gov to obtain copies of the CMVS applications for renewal.
"An Act Establishing Commonwealth Virtual Schools" (Act) authorized the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to establish Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual Schools (CMVS) that operated under certificates granted by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (Board) and are governed by public board of trustees. The Act amended Chapter 71, by adding Section 94. The commonwealth virtual school law, Massachusetts state law, G.L. c. 71, §94 , and regulations, 603 CMR 52.00 and 603 CMR 52.04, permit the Board to grant certificates for not less than three years and not more than five years.
The Board will consider renewal applications pursuant to the criteria set forth in in 603 CMR 52.11, 603 CMR 52.04, and M.G.L. c. 71, § 94. The commissioner will make a recommendation to the Board regarding CMVS renewal applications in March 2026. The decision by the Board to renew a certificate shall be based upon the presentation of affirmative evidence regarding the faithfulness of the virtual school to the terms of its certificate, the virtual school's academic program, and the viability of the virtual school as an organization.
We currently anticipate that these matters will be brought to the Board for consideration at the March 24, 2026 meeting. Please check Board Meeting Schedule and Agendas for updates.
The Department invites written comments from superintendents and other interested parties regarding the CMVS renewal applications. Please see the table below for a list of CMVS that have submitted applications for renewal. Comments may be submitted by December 5, 2025 to: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, c/o Office of Charter Schools and School Redesign, 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149 or by email to virtualschools@mass.gov . Email is preferred.
Greater Commonwealth Virtual School
TEC Connections Academy Commonwealth Virtual School