By Shannon Lukens for Steamboat Radio News/Birchwood Communications LLC. File photo.

 

The Moffat County Virtual Academy is being launched for the upcoming school year by the Moffat County School District. It’s a new online learning program to give students greater flexibility with their learning. The first year is a pilot year for the program which will focus on students currently enrolled in an online school or homeschooled students seeking access to more classes. Students will remain students with MCHS, and continue to be able to work towards an MCHS diploma.

 

Press Release from Moffat County School District; May 25, 2026.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Moffat County School District Launches Moffat County Virtual Academy

 

CRAIG, CO — Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, Moffat County School District will launch the Moffat County Virtual Academy (MCVA), a new online learning program within Moffat County High School designed to provide students with greater flexibility while maintaining strong connections to their local school and community.

 

Developed in partnership with Colorado Digital Learning Solutions (CDLS), Colorado’s state-supported supplemental online learning program, MCVA expands educational opportunities for students while ensuring they remain connected to the people, activities, support systems, and traditions that make Moffat County schools unique.

 

The 2026–2027 school year will serve as a pilot year for MCVA. During this initial phase, participation will be intentionally limited and focused on two groups of students: students currently enrolled in an online school or homeschool setting and students seeking access to courses not currently available through the traditional Moffat County High School Course Catalogue. The district will closely monitor participation, student outcomes, support systems, and program effectiveness throughout the pilot year before considering future expansion.

 

At its heart, MCVA reflects a simple belief: students should not have to choose between flexibility and belonging.

 

“Moffat County High School is not simply where students attend classes; it is one of the primary institutions through which community is created,” said Moffat County High School Principal Carly Morris. “It is where generations of Bulldogs have learned, competed, performed, served, and built lifelong relationships. It is where the history of Craig is honored and where its future is prepared.”

 

For generations, Moffat County High School has helped shape the identity, pride, and culture of the community. Friday night games, concerts, agricultural programs, performances, service projects, academic achievements, and everyday classroom experiences have connected generations of Bulldogs to one another and to the place they call home.

 

“When students leave the district, we lose more than enrollment,” Morris said. “We lose connections, relationships, shared experiences, and opportunities to continue investing in young people who are part of this community. Our goal is simple: we want Moffat County students to have access to the opportunities they need without having to leave the community that knows them, supports them, and takes pride in their success.”

 

MCVA is not a separate school. Students enrolled in the program remain full Moffat County High School students and continue working toward an MCHS diploma. They retain access to athletics, clubs, activities, assemblies, dances, counseling services, college and career planning, intervention supports, and other opportunities available to traditional students.

 

During the pilot year, MCVA will primarily serve students already enrolled in online learning environments and students seeking access to specialized coursework not currently available at Moffat County High School. The program is intended to expand opportunities and reconnect students to Moffat County schools, not to replace the traditional high school experience.

 

Through CDLS, students will have access to standards-based online courses taught by licensed Colorado-certified teachers. Students will also receive technology support from the district, personalized guidance from local school staff, and ongoing support from Moffat County High School counselors and administrators.

 

District leaders emphasize that MCVA is intended to complement, not replace, traditional classroom instruction.

 

“Technology can increase access, but relationships remain at the center of education,” Morris said. “Our teachers continue to be the foundation of student success. Accountability, mentorship, encouragement, and professional expertise come from educators, and that will remain true regardless of the instructional model. Our goal is not to replace the traditional high school experience. Our goal is to ensure that students who need flexibility or access to specialized coursework can remain connected to Moffat County High School and the Bulldog community.”

 

Historically, families seeking flexible online learning options often had to enroll in programs outside Moffat County School District. While those options met important needs for some families, they also meant students became disconnected from local activities, local educators, and many of the experiences that help define the Bulldog community.

 

MCVA seeks to provide another option.

 

“Our students belong here,” Morris said. “We want families to know that flexible learning opportunities now exist within Moffat County School District. Students can access the flexibility they need while remaining connected to their classmates, their teachers, their activities, and their community. We believe we do not need to choose between flexibility and community. We can provide both.”

 

As part of the pilot year, a collaborative teacher leadership team will study and evaluate the role of digital learning at Moffat County High School, including MCVA, Bulldog Academy, Edmentum, and other existing online learning programs. The team will review student outcomes, engagement, scheduling structures, support systems, and the distinct purposes each program serves. Their work will help guide future recommendations and ensure that digital learning opportunities strengthen student success while supporting the long-term health of Moffat County High School.

 

MCVA reflects the district’s mission to educate and inspire students to thrive in an environment of change through hard work, continuous improvement, strong leadership, a focus on every child, and a belief that every student can learn.

 

The future of Craig will be built by the young people growing up here today. Moffat County School District believes those students deserve every opportunity to pursue their goals without losing their connection to the community that believes in them. Through Moffat County Virtual Academy, the district is working to ensure that Bulldog Pride remains not only a tradition, but a living commitment connecting the past, present, and future of Moffat County.

 

For More Information

 

Bailey Benedict

Assistant Principal, Moffat County High School

bailey.benedict@moffatsd.org

970-826-6328

 

About Moffat County School District

Moffat County School District serves students across northwest Colorado and is committed to preparing every student for success through high-quality instruction, meaningful relationships, and opportunities that support academic growth, career readiness, and community engagement. Guided by Bulldog Pride, the district seeks to help students thrive while remaining connected to their school, their future, and their community.