Celebrating 10 Years at VAVA High School From VAVA Graduate to College Software Engineering Student: Jayce’s Story 

When Jayce enrolled in Virginia Virtual Academy (VAVA) as a kindergartner in 2012, his family could not have known just how far the journey would take him. Thirteen years later, he walked across the stage as a member of VAVA’s Class of 2025‚ ready to take the next step toward a future in software engineering. 

Today, Jayce is a college student at Western Governors University (WGU), where he is building on the confidence, independence, and interest in technology he developed during his time at VAVA. 

Finding a School That Fit 

Jayce’s mother and learning coach, Ashley, first discovered VAVA while looking for an educational option that felt right for her young son. Virtual learning was still unfamiliar to many families at the time, but Ashley was interested in what it could offer Jayce. 

That decision became the beginning of a remarkable experience. Jayce remained with VAVA, even as his family moved to different communities across Virginia. His journey with VAVA began in kindergarten and continued all the way to graduation, earning him the title Class of 2025’s  “Most Seniorist of Seniors” award in recognition of his being the longest tenure with the school.  

Ashley also saw VAVA grow alongside her son. She remembers that the number of graduates in Jayce’s graduating class was roughly equal to the total number of students across all grades when he first enrolled. For their family, graduation was both a personal milestone and a chance to reflect on how much the school community had developed. 

Supported in High School and Ready for What Came Next 

Throughout Jayce’s education, Ashley says VAVA staff members were responsive, accommodating, and focused on solutions. When he was younger, school staff helped the family recognize that he could benefit from an autism evaluation. Once his needs were better understood, the school provided helpful accommodations, including a private testing space to reduce distractions during assessments. 

As Jayce grew older, he became increasingly self-directed. By middle school, he was managing his schoolwork largely on his own, and that independence continued through high school. Ashley knew he could stay organized and keep up with his responsibilities.  

High school also helped Jayce identify the field he wanted to pursue. Technology courses sparked his interest and gave him experience he could carry forward. In fact, in one of his WGU college courses, Jayce encountered an assignment similar to a project he had completed in high school. He returned to that earlier work, expanded on it, and earned a “WGU Excellence Award” for the result. 

The recognition was especially meaningful for a first-year college student. Jayce was also invited to join the National Society of Leadership and Success, opening the door to speakers, peer networking, and additional opportunities for personal and professional growth. 

Continuing to Learn and Lead 

Now in his second year at WGU, Jayce is pursuing a degree in software engineering through a fully online program‚ which is a natural continuation of the learning format in which he has long thrived. 

His growth extends beyond academics. Jayce is working toward his third-degree black belt in karate and takes on a leadership role by helping teach younger students.  

For Ashley, one of the most meaningful parts of the VAVA experience has been watching her son progress from a kindergartner to a capable high school graduate and now successful college student. In fact, Jayce’s two siblings, his brother who is in 5th-grade and his sister who is in 7th-grade, are following in his footsteps and attend VAVA. 

Jayce’s story is a powerful example of what can happen when a student finds the right learning environment, receives support tailored to his needs, and has room to grow into an independent learner.  

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