Lawrence Virtual School celebrates 120 graduates, growth of virtual learning

Lawrence Virtual School’s Class of 2026 filled the Free State High School auditorium on Saturday afternoon, when about 120 students were honored in a ceremony that also streamed online for families across Douglas County and beyond. The graduation, held at 1 p.m., marked another sign of how virtual learning has moved from a niche option to a lasting part of Lawrence Public Schools.

The ceremony centered on a message that fit the school’s mission: students did not need to be perfect, only willing to keep learning, keep trying and keep building community. That message resonated in a district where some students need a different path than the traditional classroom, whether because of scheduling, health, academic pacing or a desire for more flexible instruction.

Keynote speaker Will Averill connected the moment to the school’s early days, saying he had been present for Lawrence Virtual School’s first graduation in 2014. He recalled that there were about 23 graduates then, a much smaller milestone than the one celebrated this year. The contrast underscored how quickly the school’s reach has expanded.

Lawrence Virtual School was established in 2004 and opened that fall with expectations of about 30 students. Instead, enrollment reached 169 in its first year, and the school has at times exceeded 1,200 students statewide. It is now fully part of Lawrence Public Schools, USD 497, which says it serves approximately 11,000 students and operates a K-12 virtual school.

The school’s model has become a durable option in Douglas County because it blends live and recorded classes, Kansas-certified teachers, optional in-person events and individualized support. That support can include gifted education and special education services, giving families a public-school choice that is designed around flexibility rather than a single classroom schedule.

The LVS ceremony was one part of a full graduation week in Lawrence Public Schools. C-Tran and Project SEARCH graduations were held May 15, Free State High School’s graduation was set for May 19, and Lawrence High School’s graduation was scheduled for May 20. Together, the ceremonies showed how the district’s student pathways now stretch well beyond one model of schooling, with virtual education playing a larger role in meeting local demand.