ENROLLMENT
How to Enroll Online
Choosing the right school for your child can be a difficult decision. Enrolling at California Virtual Academies (CAVA) powered by K12 is a simple process — and you don’t have to do it alone. Find out how to enroll your student at one of our nine WASC-accredited, tuition-free online public schools.1 CAVA supports California residents in grades TK–12 with career and college prep for 9–12th graders.2
Join Our School Community
Since we opened our virtual doors in 2002, students have come to us ahead, behind, and everywhere in between. Our California-credentialed teachers and counselors meet each learner at their level, tailoring instruction to help them move forward confidently.
How do I enroll at California Virtual Academies?
Just follow the steps below or reach out to the CAVA team if you have questions along the way.
Check Your Student’s Eligibility
- Age Requirement
- Transitional Kindergarten (TK): Students who turn 4 years old by September 1 are eligible to enroll in TK.
- Kindergarten: To enroll in kindergarten, students must be 5 years old on or before September 1 of the upcoming school year.
- First Grade: To enter 1st grade, a child must be 6 years old on or before September 1 or must have successfully completed one year of kindergarten.
- Grade-Level Placement: Students will be admitted into the grade level based on their age or previous public-school records. CAVA does not retroactively retain or double-promote students upon enrollment.
- Proof of Residency
While attending CAVA, students must maintain a full-time California residency.- Residency Requirement: Enrollment in one of the nine independent California Virtual Academies is limited to residents of the following California counties:2
| Residency Requirement | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Alameda | Amador | Butte | |
| Calaveras | Colusa | Contra Costa | |
| Fresno | Imperial | Inyo | |
| Kern | Kings | Lake | |
| Los Angeles | Madera | Marin | |
| Mendocino | Merced | Mono | |
| Monterey | Napa | Orange | |
| Placer | Riverside | Sacramento | |
| San Benito | San Bernardino | San Diego | |
| San Francisco | San Joaquin | San Luis Obispo | |
| San Mateo | Santa Barbara | Santa Clara | |
| Santa Cruz | Solano | Sonoma | |
| Stanislaus | Sutter | Tulare | |
| Ventura | Yolo | Yuba |
Anti-Discrimination Policy
The nine California Virtual Academies do not discriminate in admitting students based on race, creed, color, handicapping condition, or gender. All students, however, need to meet the enrollment requirements.
Gather Essential Enrollment Documents
- Proof of Residence
- Transcript Requirement: Students enrolling in 9th grade must demonstrate completion of 8th grade through an official transcript or homeschool portfolios.
- Prior School Withdrawal Form
- Immunization Records
- Independent Study Master Agreement: California independent study regulations require that any student enrolled have a signed Independent Study Master Agreement (ISMA) on file each year of enrollment. The student, parent, and assigned teacher(s) must sign the ISMA. If a Learning Coach other than the parent is responsible for instruction, they must also sign the ISMA. Please work with your teacher(s) to ensure the ISMA is signed promptly. Failure to submit a signed ISMA before the start of each school year will result in withdrawal from the program, in accordance with state requirements.
Enroll in 4 easy steps
We recommend using Google Chrome or Firefox as your web browser to enroll online. If you need assistance in another language, please call 855.710.0910.
Create an Enrollment Portal Account
K12’s enrollment portal provides access to your online CAVA application, along with real-time alerts and quick links to important info.
Submit an Application
Once you’re in the enrollment portal, fill in the fields with your child’s information, select CAVA, and hit submit. Need more time to complete your application or to enroll an additional student? We’ll save your application so you can come back later to submit.
Upload Additional Documents
In this step, you’ll share more details about your child and upload required documents. For a list of what’s needed, contact our enrollment consultants at 866.339.6787. Use the checklist at the start of the online enrollment form to stay on track.
Welcome to California Virtual Academies!
Your student will be approved after successfully completing the enrollment process. Please check your email for important info regarding your student’s status and how to access the K12 School (OLS) platform.
Enroll With Peace of Mind
- WASC-Accredited School
- California-Credentialed Teachers and Counselors
- Trusted Curriculum From K12
Enroll With Confidence
Backed by K12’s 25+ years of experience in online education, California Virtual Academies blends national expertise with local focus.
Learn more about how you can support your student by enrolling them in our online public schools below.
- Sign up to attend a live online or on-demand parent information session
- Find out how online learning works at CAVA
- Get answers to FAQs about enrollment & attendance
- Learn about tuition-free education and associated costs
- Find out how to re-register at our online public schools
Want more great tips for enrollment and beyond?
View The Ultimate Checklist for K12-Powered Online School Enrollment and be in the know about all the best resources and tips to start the school year off strong.
Questions? Call Toll-Free: 866.339.6787
*Statements were made by California Virtual Academies students, parents, Learning Coaches, and/or teachers, and reflect their personal experiences at CAVA during the times noted.
1Families do not pay tuition for a student to attend an online public school. Common household items and office supplies, like printer ink and paper, are not provided. Our enrollment consultants can help address your technology and computer questions and needs.
2California Virtual Academies are nine independent public charter schools: CAVA@Fresno, CAVA@Kings, CAVA@Los Angeles, CAVA@Maricopa, CAVA@San Diego, CAVA@San Joaquin, CAVA@San Mateo, CAVA@Sonoma, and CAVA@Sutter. This public school option may not be available in all California counties.