December 20, 2023
Background
Since the start of the pandemic, questions have arisen based upon both the effectiveness and demand of virtual learning. This has continued as MCPS created a Virtual Academy when most students returned to the classrooms.
Moderately MOCO received an exclusive MPIA response with answers to questions about the MCPS Virtual Academy official enrollment data.
MCPS also recently released data on the report card results from their virtual academy and we’ll take a look at that after the MPIA results.
Virtual Academy Enrollment over time
The following chart was received showing MCPS Virtual Academy enrollment by grade by school year over the past 3 years.
Looking at the grand totals for each of the past 3 school years, you can see that it went from 2629 (2021-2022) to 1565 (2022-2023) and then dropped again to just 878 for the current 2023-2024 school year.
This represents a 40.4% drop from 2021/2022 to 2022/2023 and a 43.9% drop from 2022/2023 to 2023/2024 and a 66.6% reduction from 2021/2022 to 2023/2024.

Virtual Academy Enrollment by School
You can view the full MPIA results for Virtual Academy Enrollment by school here:
Virtual Academy Report Card Results
With permission, using summary provided by Dr. Jennifer Reesman on X/Twitter about Virtual Academy evaluations by MCPS. The full thread can be found here.
Chronic Absenteeism
Math and Literacy Outcomes
MCPS Summary and Delay to Post
Virtual Academy Cost Analysis
The MCPS Virtual Academy has been paid for by a combination of federal ESSR funding and the operating budget. However, this year the ESSR funding is expected to go away and we are still waiting on the full MCPS budget so it remains to be seen the full cost of this program. The cost per student for the MCPS Virtual Academy operating budget has increased significantly each year but it remains to be seen what will be the cost in the coming year without ESSR funding. Source here.

Related Posts
Recent Posts
- Conflicting Accounts Emerge After Altercation at Bohrer Park Early Voting Site; Assault Summons Issued
- Sheriff Maxwell Uy Seeks Reelection, Highlights Experience, Leadership, and Community Service
- Montgomery County Student Reflects on Leadership, Service, and Friendship at Maryland HOBY Seminar
- Imagination Stage Announces 2026โ2027 Season: A Year of Heroes, Hope, and Family-Friendly Musicals
- Kate Stein – Candidate for Maryland State Delegate, District 18 (Moderately MOCO Candidate Introduction Series)
- MCPS Student Journalists Push Back Against Memo They Say Threatens Press Freedom
- George Lluberes – Candidate for House of Delegates (Moderately MOCO Candidate Introduction Series)
- From Dugout to Discovery: Montgomery County Apprentice Finds a Second Act in Biotech
- Alec Stone – Candidate for Maryland State Delegate District 19 (Moderately MOCO Candidate Introduction Series)
- Barbara Ebel – Candidate for Register of Wills (Moderately MOCO Candidate Introduction Series)
- Louisville Kings Come From Behind to Beat D.C. Defenders 27-20 and Win United Bowl
- Summer 2026 Internship Applications Now Open
- A Parentโs Warning About Roblox: The Hidden Chat That Changed Our Family Forever
- United Bowl III Preview: DC Defenders Look to Repeat Against Surging Louisville Kings
- TOM STORY AND JACOB TISCHLER TO LEAD A GENTLEMANโS GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDERย AT OLNEY THEATRE CENTER
