ARLINGTON, VA — June 7, 2012 — The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Virtual High School (DVHS) will present three seniors with their High School diplomas on June 8, in Peterborough, England. The three students, who will be the first graduates of DVHS, will participate in a ceremony with 35 seniors from Alconbury High School's graduating class of 2012.

The graduating seniors are located in England, Spain and Greece and all completed their senior year with DVHS. They will all meet for the first time when they gather for the commencement exercise.

"We're very proud and excited for our graduating seniors," said Terri Marshall, Principal of the DVHS. "These students are a part of a burgeoning 21st century learning community where geographical location is no longer an impediment to attaining an accredited high school diploma."

The requirements to graduate from the DVHS are the same as those for any DoDEA school according to Marshall. Eligibility requirements for DVHS are also the same as those for any DoDEA school.

The three DVHS graduates are: Pamela Chavdarova, daughter of John and Tanya Taylor; Nichole Delgado, daughter of Jose and Dora Delgado; and Chanelle McGriff, daughter of Reggie and Ang McGriff.

"The DoDEA Virtual High School helped to meet my education goals," said Chanelle McGriff. "Without this school I wouldn't have been able to reach this stage in my education and now, I can now move on to the next chapter in my life."

Officially established in 2010 as a fully-accredited supplemental program, DVHS became a comprehensive "diploma granting" institution in School Year 2011-12, delivering more than 50 courses to meet DoDEA's regular and advanced diploma options. Operating from three Virtual Hubs in Korea, Germany and the U.S., the school allows for synchronous instruction as well as asynchronous learning. All instruction is provided by DoDEA teachers.

"The Virtual High School increases education options for DoDEA-eligible students," Marshall said. "Through the DVHS, these students were able to earn a high school diploma that has prepared them to enter the world of work, continuing education and community service," Marshall said.

DoDEA plans, directs, coordinates, and manages pre-kindergarten - 12th grade education programs for Department of Defense (DoD) dependents who would otherwise not have access to a high-quality public education. DoDEA schools are located in Europe, the Pacific, the United States, Guam, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. DoDEA also provides support and resources to Local Education Activities throughout the U.S. that serve children of military families.