Commonwealth Virtual Schools (CMVS)

A CMVS is a public school in which all instruction is delivered online. Massachusetts currently has two virtual schools that serve grades K–12:

• Greater Commonwealth Virtual School (GCVS) — formally known as Greenfield Commonwealth Virtual School
• TEC Connections Academy Commonwealth Virtual School (TECCA)

Accountability

• CMVS Accountability Review Protocol

  • CMVS Accountability Review Protocol Addendum

• CMVS Annual Report Template

• CMVS Application for Renewal

• CMVS Performance Criteria

CMVS Accountability Reports

• GCVS Accountability Review Report (March 2021)

• TECCA Accountability Review Report (March 2021)

Send an email to virtualschools@mass.gov to request copies of prior reports.

Applying to Open a CMVS

Schedule for 2022-2023 CMVS Application and Review Process

Apply for a Certificate to Open a CMVS

• Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual School Application

• Three Year Budget Template to be Submitted With the Application

Finance

• CMVS Audit Guide

• FY2021 CMVS End of Year Financial Report Form (VSEOYFR)
  Massachusetts Commonwealth Virtual Schools are required to keep an accurate account of all of their financial activities and report their revenues and expenditures annually to the Department on the Virtual School End of Year Financial Report. The Department will update the form, as needed. VSEOYFR is a comprehensive annual financial report in Microsoft Excel format consisting of six sections. The VSEOYFR template is posted to each school's security portal Dropbox each year. It is due annually on February 1 (603 CMR 52.08 (4)).

• FY2023 Virtual School Tuition Inflation Adjustment
  This memorandum informs the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual Schools (CMVS) and sending districts about the fiscal year 2023 (FY2023) base tuition rate, which has been adjusted from FY2022 to reflect inflation. The CMVS tuition rate does not change over the course of the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

• For Parents/Guardians

• For Districts that Send Students to a CMVS

• About Private Virtual Schools

Guidance

• 2021-22 CMVS Support for Districts

• Amendment Guide for CMVS

• Education of Children with Disabilities Attending Public Virtual Schools (U.S. Department of Education)

• Operating Procedures Handbook for CMVS

Single District Virtual Schools (SDVS)

A SDVS only enrolls students who live in the single school district operating the virtual school. This type of virtual school, a SDVS, is separate and distinct from Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual Schools (CMVS) that operate under G.L. c. 71, § 94, and 603 CMR 52.00. While virtual schools operated by and for a single district do not follow the same process as CMVS, there are certain requirements that do apply and must be followed. This guidance found below provides a process for a single school district intending to develop and operate a virtual school that only enrolls students from that school district under G.L. c. 71, § 94(s).

• Guidelines for the Submission of Single District Virtual School Proposals for School Year 2022-2023 — Updated March 2022

• Frequently Asked Questions about Single District Virtual Schools

Laws & Regulations

• Chapter 379 of the Acts of 2012: A Act Establishing Commonwealth Virtual Schools

• M.G.L. ch.71 §94: Commonwealth Virtual Schools

• 603 CMR 52.00: Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual Schools

• 603 CMR 28.00: Special Education [28.02(8), 28.02(6), and 28.10(6)(a)]

Contact Us

virtualschools@mass.gov

Phone: 781-338-3227

Last Updated: June 16, 2022