MAUMEE, Ohio, May 25, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ohio Virtual Academy (OHVA), an accredited, full-time online public community school, will celebrate the Class of 2016 at a graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 28, 2016 in Canal Winchester, Ohio. The OHVA community, including teachers, staff, parents and students, will gather to celebrate the group of about 750 seniors who will graduate this year.

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The Class of 2016 has earned a combined total of more than $1.2M in college scholarship. Graduates have been accepted to universities across the state and the country, including Ohio State University, University of Cincinnati, and University of North Carolina.

About 15 members of the Class of 2016 have been OHVA students since Kindergarten. Twenty-nine graduates are members of the OHVA chapter of National Honor Society.

"The Ohio Virtual Academy Class of 2016 has reached new heights," said Dr. Kristin Stewart, Senior Head of School at Ohio Virtual Academy. "With dedication and diligence, they have worked hard to make the most of all that our online education model and individualized curriculum have to offer."

Jordan Henson of Urbana is the OHVA Class of 2016 Valedictorian, and Lilly Sweitzer of Akron is the Salutatorian.

The keynote speech will be delivered by Dr. John W. Hodge, president and co-founder of the Urban Learning and Leadership Center (ULLC), an organization focused on student achievement and reduction of the achievement gap. The student speaker will be Class of 2016 graduate and Student Council President Monica Slaven, who has been an OHVA student since 5(th) grade.

"We chose OHVA because of the flexibility that allowed me to do my schoolwork at any time of the day," Monica said. "I live on a farm, which means my schedule could change any minute, and often does. On top of that, with OHVA I have been able to get a jumpstart on my college career while still in high school, by taking part in the College Credit Plus program."

Before the high school graduation, OHVA will hold a ceremony to recognize its 8(th) graders who will enter high school in the fall.

Open to all students who reside in Ohio, OHVA combines online instruction, hands-on curriculum and the support of Ohio-licensed teachers to cultivate an individualized education for each student. The school's curriculum is designed to let students discover and nurture their own learning style in order to ensure they achieve mastery of topics and skills. OHVA gives advanced learners the ability to progress faster through subjects in which they excel. Teachers work closely with each student's parent or guardian to identify the best path for success.

OHVA provides opportunities for advancement in STEM education and membership in various student clubs, including the OHVA chapter of the National Honor Society. Student can apply for the College Credit Plus program, which enables qualified students to earn college and high school credits at the same time by taking college courses from community colleges or universities. OHVA encourages students to take advantage of this program offered through the Ohio Department of Education, and works with students to make sure they know the options available to them. Dual-enrollment in career and tech programs is also an option for OHVA students.

The online curriculum is rigorous and engaging, including courses in language arts/English, math, science, history, world languages, art and music, as well as elective and Advanced Placement® courses for high school students. College- or career-minded students can choose from a broad range of profession-focused courses in order to gain a competitive edge for the future, discover their path after high school or explore a possible college major.

To learn more about Ohio Virtual Academy, visit the school website here.

About Ohio Virtual Academy
Ohio Virtual Academy (OHVA) is an accredited, full-time online public charter school authorized by the Ohio Council of Community Schools (OCCS) that serves students in grades K through 12. As part of the Ohio public school system, OHVA is tuition-free, giving parents and families the choice to access the award-winning curriculum and tools provided by K(12) Inc. (NYSE: LRN), the nation's largest provider of proprietary curriculum and online education programs. For more information about OHVA, visit http://ohva.k12.com.

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SOURCE Ohio Virtual Academy