Massachusetts Mayflower Academy (MMA), a nonprofit full-time online private high school powered by The Virtual High School(VHS Inc.), is honoring the Class of 2018, its very first cohort of graduates. Maya Farr in Missouri as well as Giuliana Knox and Carter James in Massachusetts graduated from the academy on June 8.
“It has been exciting to work with our first class of graduating seniors at Massachusetts Mayflower Academy,” said Amy Michalowski, Dean of MMA. “Though small, our first graduating class is a perfect representation of the reason online learning can be so valuable. Each of our students has been challenged to think, learn, and grow while having the flexibility to pursue their personal goals. We wish them success in their future endeavors and look forward to keeping in touch with them!”
James plans to hone his skills as a singer and songwriter at California Institute of the Arts. CalArts is located in Santa Clarita, California, 30 miles north of Los Angeles. In addition to singing and playing piano, James writes, produces and records his own music, which has gained him a substantial online following. “I have absolutely loved attending Massachusetts Mayflower Academythrough VHS,” he said. “It has allowed me to pursue my goals while completing school with a flexible schedule. Because of this experience, I have had more opportunities for my music and have had more time to work towards my goal of having a career in the field of my choice, and I am very grateful for that.”
Farr successfully balanced working on Massachusetts Mayflower Academycourse assignments and group activities with working at a local gym called Boss Body Fitness. After graduation she will be attending State Fair Community College in her hometown of Sedalia, Missouri.
Knox received a scholarship from Temple University in Philadelphia. While attending Massachusetts Mayflower Academy, she also studied ballet and had originally intended to pursue a professional ballet career. However, she now plans to earn a degree in gender, sexuality and women’s studies with the goal of working for an organization such as the ACLU. “I am incredibly excited to have made the change in goals and to be pursuing a career in advocacy,” she stated. “Being a full-time online student at Massachusetts Mayflower Academyhas prepared me to be an independent worker and has given me the opportunity to explore some of my passions.”
Massachusetts Mayflower Academy is dedicated to supporting its students and helping them graduate from high school and succeed in college and careers by providing an engaging, challenging, and supportive learning environment that meets the needs of students and families. Students enrolled in Massachusetts Mayflower Academy work entirely online, but they aren’t working alone. Along with the collaborative nature of the Academy’s classes, students are supported by certified teachers, a guidance counselor, a school liaison, and a learning coach, all overseen by the school’s leadership team. The academy emphasizes personal connections with families. The school’s “high-touch” model supports students and ensures they have the greatest chance for success.
“We’re proud of the accomplishments of our Massachusetts Mayflower Academy seniors, and wish them success as they begin the next chapter of their lives,” said Carol Ribeiro, President & CEO of The Virtual High School. “We encourage them to be lifelong learners, seeking new challenges and utilizing the skills they’ve developed during their time with us to make a difference in our world.”
About Massachusetts Mayflower Academy and VHS Inc.
Massachusetts Mayflower Academy () is an online private school, accredited by AdvancED. The school enrolls students from across the US and around the world in its full-time, online, diploma-granting high school program. The Virtual High School (VHS Inc.) is an online learning pioneer. Since 1996, the nonprofit organization based in Massachusetts has set the standard for quality online education. VHS provides courses taught in global online classrooms for secondary school students and online professional development for educators. The organization also meets the unique educational needs of schools through custom course development and individualized course offerings. VHS design and delivery standards are the model used by the National Education Association in their recommended standards for online learning. The organization has won numerous awards, including the Stockholm Challenge Award for Global Excellence in Information Technology, and is a three-time winner of the United States Distance Learning Association’s (USDLA) award for Excellence in Programming and Excellence in Best Practices. For more information, visit www.vhslearning.orgor call (978) 897-1900.
