Instant Achievement Records for Modern Learners

As one of the largest statewide virtual schools in the country, Virtual Learning Academy Charter School (VLACS) offers flexibility outside of the traditional model. Established in 2007 with approval from the New Hampshire Board of Education, students can earn their diplomas year-round, so while the school’s model is innovative, its diploma process stalled. Staff lived in a maanual system built on confusing spreadsheets and a vendor that offered zero visibility into the printing and mailing process.

For Kristin Jones, Program Assistant at VLACS, the other half of the problem was the black hole of information the students faced. When they completed their graduation requirements, they faced a lack of tracking information and a process significantly slower than the school’s digital standards. Telling an excited graduate to wait just a little longer represented a disconnect from the school’s mission to provide a modern, student-centered learning experience.

As the team began searching for a solution, they prioritized greater transparency and speed. If a diploma was the culmination of their education thus far, the delivery of that achievement should be trackable and shareable. Their learners expected a smooth, digital process for diplomas—just as their daily education had been while at VLACS. "Student expectations are changing," Jones noted. "They want the diploma fast, and they want to be able to share it. Being a virtual school and having a digital diploma available to students made a whole lot of sense.” Over just a printing vendor, VLACS leadership looked for a partner to bridge the gap between a physical keepsake and a digital-first accomplishment.

VLACS moved from confusing spreadsheets to a streamlined, automated process designed for rolling graduations with Parchment by Instructure. During the rollout, Parchment regularly met with the school to make sure every technical step was clear and the transition was seamless.

Parchment provided a dual-pathway for every graduate: a high-quality physical diploma and an immediate digital version. Seeking a more efficient workflow, school leaders found that the physical Parchment diplomas also exceeded their previous standards.

The impact was immediate: VLACS reclaimed 90% of the time previously spent on manual issuance. What used to take 30 minutes now takes 60 seconds. This efficiency eliminated the lack of clarity students and families faced, as they now receive automated tracking and instant digital access the moment a diploma is issued. “We get fewer inquiries about the status of diplomas," Jones said. "They can find the answer they are looking for, and that provides them with the peace of mind they want."

The shift also led the way to faster celebrations, as graduates began sharing their achievements on social media the same day they graduated. Even alumni have benefited, with a simpler process for requesting replacements that takes just a few clicks. For an innovative virtual school, the result is a graduation process that finally matches the quality of the education. As Jones puts it, "It’s a time saver, it’s user-friendly, and the students are really happy. It checks all of the boxes for us."