A public virtual school is a public school in which teachers primarily teach students remotely using the internet or other computer-based methods. Students are not required to attend classes at a physical school building. There are two types of public virtual schools in Massachusetts: a Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual School (CMVS) and a Single District Virtual School (SDVS).
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual Schools CMVS are separate public schools that may enroll eligible students statewide or from multiple Massachusetts communities. Single District Virtual Schools SDVS are operated by individual school districts and may enroll only students who live in that district.
A Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual School (CMVS) is a public school operated by a board of trustees that has been granted a certificate from the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (Board). In a Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual School CMVS, teachers primarily teach from a remote location using the internet or other computer-based methods, and students are not required to be located at the physical premises of the school.
Three Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual Schools CMVS will be operating in Massachusetts during the 2026–27 school year:
Massachusetts students may apply to a Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual School CMVS if they meet the school's approved residency and grade-level eligibility requirements. Depending on its Board-approved certificate, a Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual School CMVS may enroll students statewide or limit enrollment to students who reside in certain districts. Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual Schools CMVSs also serve different grade levels.
If the number of applicants exceeds the number of available seats, the school will hold a lottery to determine which students will be admitted. Once admitted and enrolled in a Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual School CMVS, a student may continue attending in subsequent years without reapplying.
A student's school district of residence may also affect access. A local school committee may vote to restrict additional Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual School CMVS enrollment when the number of students from that district already attending Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual Schools CMVSs exceeds 1 percent of the district's total enrollment. Students who are already enrolled in a Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual School CMVS may continue attending and cannot be required to leave because their district later restricts enrollment.
Before applying, review the school's enrollment information for current residency, grade-level, and other applicable restrictions.
Felix Commonwealth Virtual School FCVS, Greenfield Commonwealth Virtual School GCVS, and Massachusetts Connections Academy MassCA have enrollment policies that describe how to enroll your child. Each school requires an enrollment application and holds a lottery when the number of applicants exceeds the number of available seats. Each school determines the number of seats available at each grade level within an overall enrollment “cap” established by the state. Students who do not receive a seat in the lottery for a specific grade will be placed on a waitlist until a seat becomes available. For more information about enrolling your child, contact the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual School CMVS directly. Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual School CMVS enrollment processes must meet expectations found in state law and regulations.
Contact the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual School CMVS directly by phone or visit their websites to access enrollment information and applications. Click the links below to view contact information, website links, and data for each Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual School CMVS:
A Single District Virtual School (SDVS) is a public school approved by the local school committee and operated by the school district where teachers primarily teach from a remote location using the internet or other computer-based methods, and students are not required to be located at the physical premises of the school.
Nine school districts will operate a Single District Virtual School SDVS during the 2026–27 school year. View the list of districts operating a Single District Virtual School SDVS.
A Single District Virtual School SDVS must only enroll students who live in the school district operating the virtual school. Students who are not residents of the district may not enroll in or attend the Single District Virtual School SDVS.
If you live in one of the nine districts currently operating an Single District Virtual School SDVS, contact the school district administration office for information about Single District Virtual School SDVS enrollment. View the list of districts operating an Single District Virtual School SDVS.
The Choosing a School: A Family Guide to Educational Options in Massachusetts provides more information about the types of educational options that are available to students and families in the Commonwealth.
The Massachusetts School Finder tool helps families find public schools based on a student's home address and grade. Results may include schools outside the selected search distance if the student may have priority for enrollment at those schools.
The Mass.gov Education Resources website offers guides on finishing high school, education resources, and free community college.
About Private Virtual Schools (download) provides frequently asked questions about private virtual schools.
For more information about public virtual schools in Massachusetts, contact the Department at 781-338-3227 or virtualschools@mass.gov .
Last Updated: September 21, 2026