Idaho Virtual Academy & Insight School of Idaho Celebrate 2026 Graduates

For IDVA and ISID students, graduation is more than a walk across the stage; it is a rare chance to gather in person with classmates, teachers and school staff.

This spring, Idaho Virtual Academy (IDVA) and Insight School of Idaho (ISID) held regional commencement ceremonies in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Falls and Nampa, honoring 219 graduates from across Idaho. The class of 2026 included IDVA’s 17^th graduating class and ISID’s 10^th graduating class, with students representing 36 counties and 80 cities and towns across the state. Eighty-one students earned honors, and we were also proud to recognize seven students who completed Career and Technical Education pathways, showcasing their dedication to building skills for future success.

At the Southwest Idaho ceremony, held May 20 at Northwest Nazarene University’s Brandt Center in Nampa, 76 IDVA graduates were recognized before an audience of families, teachers and staff. Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield delivered remarks, encouraging graduates to remember that life may not always follow a straight path and that the ability to recalculate and reroute is a strength.

Celebrating in Person

For some graduates, the ceremony was one of the first times they met members of their school community face-to-face. Families, teachers and staff gathered with students to recognize years of work completed through a virtual school experience.

“Even as a virtual school, graduation is a meaningful milestone that gives students and families the opportunity to celebrate their hard work and accomplishments together,” said Alicia Sanders, IDVA’s community engagement specialist.

Looking to the Future

IDVA student speaker Tymberlyn helped represent the graduating class during the ceremony, reflecting on the habits and values students developed: respect, responsibility, accountability, persistence, self-discipline, and kindness. She also spoke about the independence, time management and adaptability students built through their time in school.

Tymberlyn compared life to music, encouraging classmates to move forward with courage, even when the rhythm changes. After the ceremony, she described the next chapter of life as “exciting, a little nerve-racking and another great adventure.”