Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy

What Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy does

Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy (MGLVA) is a tuition-free, full-time online public charter school serving students in grades K Prep through 12 across the state of Michigan. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Manistee, Michigan, MGLVA is authorized by Manistee Area Public Schools and operates as a K12-powered institution, with K12 (Stride, Inc.) serving as the education service provider that supplies curriculum, technology platform, enrollment systems, and operational support. The school employs approximately 82 Michigan-certified teachers and staff, hired through the K12/Stride third-party vendor rather than under traditional bargaining agreements.

MGLVA delivers its academic program through K12's interactive online learning platform, featuring curriculum with animations, games, videos, and text-based content aligned to Michigan academic standards. The product portfolio includes the core online school (grades K Prep-12), the Flex Program for flexible scheduling, a Career and College Prep Program with five career pathway tracks (Business Management, Health Science, Information Technology, Finance, Marketing), an Early Middle College dual-enrollment partnership with West Shore Community College allowing students to earn up to 60 college credits or an associate degree, special programs for IEP/504/ELL/McKinney-Vento students, and K12 Tutoring services. Student life offerings include national K12 competitions (Photography, Robotics, Esports, Writing, Talent Showdown), in-person socialization events, field trips, prom, graduation, and community activities throughout Michigan.

The business model operates under the public charter school framework with per-pupil state funding from Michigan as the sole revenue source — no tuition is charged to families. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through the K12 Enrollment Portal, toll-free phone enrollment (855.380.2480), and online chat with enrollment consultants. The school is governed by an independent Board of Directors under Manistee Area Public Schools oversight, with leadership headed by Head of School Kendall Schroeder and supported by principals, counselors, and program coordinators across elementary, middle, and high school divisions.

Name

Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy

Legal name

Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy

Website

https://mglva.k12.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy is a tuition-free online public charter school serving Michigan K-12 students since 2013, authorized by Manistee Area Public Schools and powered by K12 (Stride, Inc.) curriculum and technology, offering personalized learning plans, AP/honors courses, CTE pathways, and Early Middle College dual enrollment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online K-12 Public Education / Virtual Charter School

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

District-Run Virtual Academies & Online Programs (EDAJADAB)

Keywords

• Online public school
• K-12 virtual education
• Charter school education
• Distance learning programs
• Online charter academy

Headquarters

HQ city

Manistee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Per-Pupil State Funding: As a public charter school, MGLVA receives per-pupil state funding based on student enrollment. Families do not pay tuition for students to attend. Common household items and office supplies are not provided.
2. State-Mandated Testing Services: Provides state-mandated assessments including MEAP for grades 3-8, Michigan Merit Exam, and ACT for grade 11 students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy (MGLVA) is a tuition-free, full-time online public charter school serving Michigan students in grades K Prep through 12. It delivers a technology-driven education using K12's interactive curriculum (animations, games, videos, text), live online classes taught by Michigan-certified teachers, Individualized Learning Plans, state-mandated assessments, and specialized programs including Flex scheduling, Early Middle College dual enrollment with West Shore Community College, career pathways, special education, and K12 Tutoring. Authorized by Manistee Area Public Schools and operated with K12/Stride as the education service provider.

Product overview

Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy operates as a single, unified online public school offering a comprehensive K-12 educational program. The core product is the full-time online school itself, powered by K12's interactive curriculum and delivered by state-certified teachers via live online classes. The school's portfolio consists of the main online school (grades K Prep-12) supplemented by specialized program modules: the Flex Program for flexible scheduling, the Career and College Prep Program with five career pathway tracks, the Early Middle College dual-enrollment program with West Shore Community College, K Prep and Kindergarten early childhood programs, Special Programs (IEP/504/ELL/McKinney-Vento), and K12 Tutoring services. All students access the same K12 curriculum through the online school platform, with programs differentiated by grade level and learning needs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy Online School Tuition-free, full-time online public charter school serving Michigan students in grades K Prep through 12, delivering technology-driven education via K12's interactive curriculum with live online classes, personalized learning plans, and state-certified teachers. Authorized by Manistee Area Public Schools.
• K Prep and Kindergarten Program Structured early childhood education for Michigan students, including a two-year K Prep (Embark Curriculum) for children turning 5 by December 1, and a traditional online kindergarten for children turning 5 by September 1. Curriculum created by developmental psychologists and academics.
• AP and Honors Courses College-level Advanced Placement courses preparing students for AP exams with potential for college credit, plus honors courses with advanced writing and project requirements, delivered online through the K12 platform.
• Flex Program Enhanced learning model offering anytime learning access, flexible scheduling, optional live virtual classes, and dedicated teacher support for students who set their own structures and schedules, while completing the same K12 curriculum as the standard program.
• Career and College Prep Program Career-focused coursework and experiences for grades 6-12 with five career pathways (Business Management, Health Science, Information Technology, Finance, and Marketing), career clubs (DECA, HOSA), industry certifications, and internship opportunities.
• Early Middle College Program (MGLVA+WSCC) Dual-enrollment partnership with West Shore Community College allowing students beginning in 11th grade to simultaneously enroll in college-level coursework, potentially earning up to 60 college credits or an associate degree alongside their high school diploma, with weekly colloquia and monthly workshops.
• Special Programs Comprehensive special education services including Child Find identification, IEPs, 504 plans, English Language Learner (ELL) support, McKinney-Vento homeless assistance, dispute resolution processes, and credit recovery for at-risk students.
• K12 Tutoring Online tutoring services provided by state-certified teachers covering major subjects for grades K-12, including college admission test preparation, with personalized learning sessions and easy-to-use scheduling technology.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students can earn up to an associate degree or industry certification through Early Middle College program
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• K12coreTechnology or IntegrationMGLVA is powered by K12, a leader in online education for 25 years. K12 provides the curriculum, online learning platform, enrollment systems, and administrative infrastructure that enables MGLVA's operations.
• West Shore Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarly Middle College partnership (MGLVA+WSCC) allows students to earn college credits and potentially an associate degree while completing their high school diploma. Students enroll in online college courses and participate in weekly colloquia and monthly workshops.
• Manistee Area Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAuthorizing school district for MGLVA as an online public charter school. Manistee Area Public Schools authorizes the charter and MGLVA operates under their oversight.
• Southern New Hampshire UniversityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGraduates of K12-powered schools can save 20% off tuition at Southern New Hampshire University, providing a pathway优惠 for MGLVA graduates continuing their education.
• DECAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCareer Technical Service Organization (CTSO) providing emerging leaders and entrepreneurs career preparation in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. Students practice leadership skills and compete at local, state, and national levels.
• HOSAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational student organization promoting career opportunities in health care. Empowers students to develop leadership qualities and explore health care careers.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Outschool: Online marketplace for live K-12 classes and enrichment - overlapping target customer (Michigan families seeking online learning) but operates on a supplemental, marketplace basis rather than full-time school model.
• Forest Trail Academy: Accredited online K-12 school serving students nationwide - comparable online K-12 delivery model with broader geographic reach, useful as a benchmark for what an online K-12 operation can achieve at small scale.

Broad incumbents

• National Heritage Academies: Operates a large network of public charter schools, including in Michigan - comparable charter governance model and per-pupil funding exposure, though primarily brick-and-mortar rather than virtual.
• Stride, Inc. (K12): Parent company and curriculum/technology provider to MGLVA; operates a national portfolio of K12-powered online schools, Career Learning programs, and private academy offerings - directly comparable operating model at scale, and the entity whose product and pricing decisions most directly shape MGLVA's economics.

Direct peers

• Connections Academy: Operates tuition-free online public schools authorized by local districts in multiple states, serving K-12 students with state-certified teachers - directly comparable charter online school model and the closest non-stride-operated peer to MGLVA.
• Michigan Virtual: Statewide Michigan virtual education provider offering supplemental online courses and full-time options to Michigan students - the most direct in-state peer competing for the same Michigan family segment.
• K12 Private Academy: Sibling K12-powered brand offering tuition-based private online K-12 - same curriculum, platform, and operational backbone as MGLVA, providing a useful peer for unit economics and program module comparison.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/michigan-great-lakes-virtual-academy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy