DVHS Supports Students Worldwide with Flexible Learning Opportunities

The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Virtual High School (DVHS) continues to play a vital role in delivering accessible, flexible, and high-quality education to military-connected students across the globe. The DVHS Program includes the DVHS Supplemental Program for DoDEA Secondary Schools, the DVHS Summer School Program, the full-time option for Non-DoD Schools Program (NDSP)-eligible students, the Expanded Eligibility Participation Program (E2P2) for students located in the United States without access to a DoDEA school, and the accelerated Math 6 course for eligible elementary students.

Established as a diploma-granting institution in the 2011–2012 school year, DVHS has evolved into a robust online high school offering approximately 85 courses to include Advanced Placement (AP) courses, foreign languages including American Sign Language (ASL), and specialized electives.

DVHS operates as one unified school with three regional hubs—located in the Americas, Europe, and the Pacific. Teachers are physically assigned to one of these hubs but collaborate across regions to ensure consistency and academic support. Staff adjust their schedules to engage with students, parents and local schools, ensuring timely and effective support for those enrolled in the DVHS.

Working with a student's local school, DVHS provides opportunities for students to take courses that wouldn't otherwise be available due to enrollment or scheduling conflicts,” said DVHS educator Lisa Henderson, who teaches grades 9-12 social studies for DVHS out of the Pacific Region hub. “This allows military-connected students to have options for their education, regardless of where they are located. Students can take Advanced Placement courses and potentially earn college credits, earn CTE certifications that enhance their career opportunities, and take a variety of elective courses and language courses that appeal to their diverse interests.”

This flexibility is especially advantageous for military families, as the program ensures that students maintain educational continuity regardless of frequent relocations due to Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders.

During the 2024–2025 academic year, the DVHS served over 2,100 students and recorded more than 3,600 course enrollments, with 40% of those students being DoDEA seniors.

“Realistically, not every school is going to have every class, so I feel like virtual high school is a great opportunity to do every single class that I want to take,” said Kubasaki High School student Ella Perez, who was enrolled in the DVHS in 2024-2025. “It has been a great experience for me in the way that I have gotten more knowledge than I would have just taken the classes offered at my school.”

Dr. Michelle Howard-Brahaney, DoDEA Europe-Director for Student Excellence, emphasized the significance of the virtual learning opportunity provided by the DVHS: “The future is firmly rooted in today. With programs like DVHS, we ensure that every student — no matter where they are in the world — has access to an excellent education. It’s about providing consistency, opportunity, and a pathway to success for our military-connected students.”