STUDENT LIFE

Online Friends — Real Connections

Student Life at Our Online Public Schools in California

At California Virtual Academies (CAVA) powered by K12, students thrive in a safe, welcoming environment with opportunities to connect, learn, and have fun — both virtually and in person! Explore the clubs and events offered at our online, tuition-free public schools serving 42 of the 58 counties in California.1

Online school is social!

At California Virtual Academies (CAVA) powered by K12, we’re committed to engaging learners, providing a respectful online learning experience that celebrates each student for who they are, while inspiring them to grow into their best selves.

What makes CAVA unique?

CAVA is a network of nine online public schools that serve students in grades TK–12 in 42 of California’s 58 counties. It’s a big state, and each of the nine online CAVA schools serves California residents in the county where the school is chartered (as well as neighboring counties). We’re on a mission to provide equitable, high-quality education up and down the California coastline.

That’s why we offer choices for our CAVA community. Does your student like participating in online clubs? Or are in-person meetups more their thing?

From hangouts in the CAVA K12 Zone to daily classroom interactions, we provide a safe space for each student to find their strengths, pursue their interests, and build friendships.

High school student wearing a red shirt working with his k12 laptop
Favorite thing about online school is actually the community. We have the chat functions, and then we got the K12 Zone, which is an absolutely lovely place where you get to meet people. It’s great. If you want to become full-time, outside-of-school friends with someone, you can.

Noah , 2026 10th grade student*

Explore student life at California Virtual Academies!

Find Clubs & Activities on the CAVA Events Calendar
Celebrate High School Graduation

Instructing Students in California Since 2004

This may sound obvious, but it bears repeating: California Virtual Academies are in California. 

We’re online, tuition-free public schools that believe learning is more fun when you’re part of a vibrant community of local families and teachers. The CAVA community spans nearly every county in California (we’ve got 42 out of 58 counties covered, and counting)!1 

CAVA offer ways for students to connect, collaborate, and chill out together:

  • Clubs: From art and STEM to gaming and leadership, there’s something for every interest.
  • Activities: Students take the lead in creating and running clubs and events.
  • In-Person Events: Field trips, family fun park days, and regional meetups bring our community together face-to-face. We also have in-person prom and graduation.

Our online learning platform, K12, helps us support students in California. Plus, K12 gives our California students more opportunities:

Instructor guiding a young student in proper archery form, with a Hoyt Archery banner in the background.

A (Virtual) Place to Belong

K12 helps make our online school feel like your neighborhood school — personal, connected, and familiar — all from the comfort of home.

The CAVA K12 Zone is a safe, moderated space where students across California can meet, chat, and join online events.

See the CAVA Community in Action

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Experience the joy of graduation together!

Graduation is more than just a ceremony — it’s one of the most important milestones in your student’s high school journey. It marks the end of one chapter and heralds the exciting start of a new story. 

At CAVA, we celebrate this major academic milestone with a meaningful, in-person graduation ceremony that honors your student’s achievements.  

Experience the joy, pride, and excitement of graduation at California Virtual Academies!

Graduated student at her graduation ceremony with her family

How Parents and Families Can Participate

Join — or lead — a Strider Squad!

Strider Squads are small, local groups of students who meet once a month to hang out, learn, and grow together. A trained parent volunteer, called a Squad Leader, helps lead and create a welcoming space for students to share in the fun.

Join a Strider Squad or become a Squad Leader to connect with other families while supporting your child’s growth and development.

Support Their Academic Journey

At CAVA, parents and legal guardians are encouraged to take a front-row seat in their child’s education as their Learning Coach. While you don’t have to teach (that’s our California-credentialed teachers’ job!), the Learning Coach plays an important role in their student’s success.

CAVA helps Learning Coaches:

  • Track progress and stay connected with teachers and staff through email or phone calls
  • Get pro tips from other Learning Coaches in California and across the U.S.
It’s so nice just to know that we can get together. We have built better relationships through K12 than we have when our other kids were in regular school, because it was just you go, you pick up your kid, and you leave. But here, it’s like we’re a little community. We don’t want to see anybody fail, so we all are there for each other. Whatever anybody needs, they know that they could always reach out and someone’s going to be there to help.

Ayme , parent of a 2026 4th grader*

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 time noted.

1California Virtual Academies (CAVA) 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 is not available in all California counties; view a complete list of counties here.