Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual Schools: FY2027 tuition rate for Greater Commonwealth Virtual District and Massachusetts Connections Academy Virtual School District

This memorandum informs Greater Commonwealth Virtual District (GCVS) and Massachusetts Connections Academy (MassCA), previously known as TEC Connections Academy (TECCA), and all school districts that send students to these two Commonwealth Virtual Schools (CMVSs) about the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education's (Commissioner's) adjustment to the tuition rate that both virtual schools will receive for fiscal year 2027 (FY2027).

In FY2027, Greater Commonwealth Virtual District GCVS and Massachusetts Connections Academy MassCA will receive $13,658 per pupil. Sending districts will be charged a total of $13,733 per pupil, with $75 retained by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department) to cover administrative costs. The final tuition rate for FY2027 reflects the annual inflation adjustment to Chapter 70 of 2.76 percent.¹

The Department calculated this rate by increasing the FY2026 base tuition rate of $13,291 by the Chapter 70 inflation rate of 2.76 percent or $367, generating a new base rate of $13,658. This is the amount that Greater Commonwealth Virtual District GCVS and Massachusetts Connections Academy MassCA will receive for each student enrolled in FY2027. The Department calculated the sending tuition rate by adding an administrative fee of $75 per pupil to the adjusted base rate, bringing the FY2027 sending tuition rate to $13,733. This is the amount that sending school districts will be charged for each student attending Greater Commonwealth Virtual District GCVS or Massachusetts Connections Academy MassCA.

At its December 17, 2024 meeting, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (Board) voted to amend the certificates of the Greater Commonwealth Virtual District GCVS and Massachusetts Connections Academy MassCA (formerly TEC Connections Academy TECCA) to establish a total tuition rate of $13,114 per pupil for both schools, reflecting grades served and relevant program cost categories using FY2025 foundation budget rates, with $75 retained by the Department for program administration.

Additionally, during the meeting, the Board voted to delegate to the Commissioner authority to adjust the tuition rate to reflect the annual Chapter 70 inflation adjustment and amended Greater Commonwealth Virtual District GCVS's and Massachusetts Connections Academy MassCA's certificates accordingly. The tuition rate approved by the Board and adjusted by the Commissioner is in effect for the entire fiscal year and does not change over the course of the year.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Robert O'Donnell , Director, Office of School Finance.

¹ The inflation rate is based on a third quarter to third quarter comparison, in this case third quarter 2024 to third quarter 2025 from the state and local government price deflator issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce's and capped at 4.50 percent, which is the maximum inflation rate authorized by Chapter 70.

Last Updated: August 26, 2026