Utah Virtual Academy graduates 202 seniors in Sandy ceremony

By AI, Created 5:00 AM UTC, May 22, 2026, /AGP/ – Utah Virtual Academy celebrated 202 Class of 2026 graduates Thursday in Sandy, drawing students from 79 cities and 27 school districts across Utah. The ceremony highlighted the school’s statewide reach, career training, college credits and postsecondary paths as graduates moved on to college, trades, apprenticeships, military service and missions.

Why it matters: - Utah Virtual Academy’s commencement showed how a statewide virtual school can produce a large, diverse graduating class without a traditional campus setting. - The 202 graduates reflect demand for flexible public education options, especially for students balancing coursework, career training and other commitments. - The school’s reach across Utah underscores how online public charter programs can serve students beyond the limits of a single district.

What happened: - Utah Virtual Academy held its Class of 2026 commencement Thursday evening in Sandy, Utah. - The school graduated 202 seniors from 79 cities and 27 school districts across the state. - The ceremony was an in-person celebration for students who completed their education through a virtual classroom. - Dr. Shaun McAlmont, chief executive officer of the Collaborative for Higher Education Services, delivered the keynote address. - Executive Director Meghan Merideth opened the ceremony. - Valedictorian Zachary Kahl, salutatorian Camille Fischer and Board Chair Dallin Drescher also addressed graduates.

The details: - Among the graduates, 185 completed full career and technical education pathways in business, healthcare, information technology and engineering. - Hundreds of college credits were earned through concurrent enrollment while students were still in high school. - Eleven graduates attended Utah Virtual Academy for 10 years or more. - Three students were enrolled since kindergarten and completed all 13 years of K-12 at the school. - Thirty-four graduates earned high honors or honors. - Five graduates finished with 4.0 grade point averages. - Eleven graduates were members of the National Honor Society. - Merideth recognized 240 part-time SOEP students who are graduating at other schools after taking at least one Utah Virtual Academy course. - Utah Virtual Academy serves full-time students in grades K-12 and part-time students in grades 6-12 through the Statewide Online Education Program. - The school is accredited by Cognia Accreditation and Certification. - The school describes itself as a tuition-free, accredited online public charter school with live instruction from certified Utah teachers and curriculum aligned to state standards. - The school’s website is learn more.

Between the lines: - McAlmont framed perseverance as the key lesson, drawing on a career-ending tendon injury that ended his Olympic hopes during an NCAA Championships race. - He linked the experience to workplace skills such as self-management, written communication and follow-through without external pressure. - Merideth used the ceremony to emphasize that virtual education depends on families and other support systems that often do not get recognized at graduation. - Drescher’s remarks pointed to service and everyday conduct as the school’s broader measure of success, not just academic credentials.

What’s next: - Sixty-nine graduates plan to enter higher education. - Fifty-two graduates are heading to technical and trade schools. - Twelve graduates are moving into apprenticeships. - Six graduates are entering military service. - Eight graduates are pursuing religious or service missions.

The bottom line: - Utah Virtual Academy’s 2026 graduating class shows that online public schooling can support both academic achievement and a wide range of next steps after high school.