April 1, 2026 – For the Fox family, enrolling in the district’s Duval Virtual Instruction Academy has meant enjoying the best of both worlds –– receiving a quality, public school education all from the comfort of their own home.
“A lot of families, and even schools, look at us and go, ‘Oh, you homeschool,’” said Denise Fox, a mom to two DVIA students. “I don’t have time to homeschool; I have to work a full-time job. My kids attend Duval Virtual Instruction Academy, and that’s where they go to school.”
Fox said the coronavirus lockdowns of 2020 were the first time her family considered online learning. Realizing it was a format that worked for her children, the Foxes decided to continue learning remotely. Six years later, the family hasn’t looked back, with students Conner and Asher attending DVIA full-time.
"I can work at my own pace, and I can get ahead,” said Asher, an eighth-grade student.
Online Learning with Multiple Pathways
The school’s asynchronous model allows students to access the curriculum 24/7 and set their schedules according to their needs. Students learn from a combination of pre-recorded modules and live sessions with state-certified teachers.
While the Foxes are enrolled as full-time public school students, DVIA offers a variety of online learning options for students, including:
Duval FLEX: This gives traditional students the option to take or retake individual courses outside of their regular school schedule. Home Education students can also register to take courses through Duval FLEX.
Hospital Homebound: Eligible students in need of educational support during medical or psychological events can enroll in Hospital Homebound full-time or part-time.
Having a flexible, remote learning environment has been a huge benefit for Conner Fox –– so much so, he only has two courses remaining in his senior year.
“I don’t have the other stress factors that would be in a brick-and-mortar school building,” Conner said.
Having continual support from teachers is another benefit for the Fox family. Even with the online format, they said teachers remain accessible and communicative.
“The teachers will directly message them when they need something. Sometimes they’ll just call me, and they’ll just check in,” said Denise. “They just want your students to do well.”
“The teachers are definitely super helpful, and I’ve definitely had great experiences with all of them,” added Conner.
Open Enrollment for 2026-2027
With DVIA’s enrollment window for the 2026-2027 school year now open, the Fox family wants to encourage others to consider the benefits of online learning. For Denise, seeing her children take ownership of their education has been both empowering and inspiring.
“It makes me super proud,” said Denise Fox, a mom to two DVIA students. “They’re actually able to manage themselves. They know that work is their responsibility. They’re learning and they’re able to progress, and I get a front-row seat to see it.”
Families interested in applying for the 2026-2027 school year have until mid-June. To learn more about open enrollment, visit the Duval Virtual Instruction Academy website or click here to begin an application.