Our School
Message from the Principal

Our school is designed to offer families an alternative educational experience for our students. Now more than ever, students may choose a more individualized approach to learning while in the safety and comfort of their own homes. We believe our students should have a high-quality, student-centered online option that focuses on each individual student’s academic and social-emotional growth.
Our diverse student population reflects the value we place on inclusivity and curating a sense of belonging. We are confident you will find our Virtual Academy to be a place where student voice and choice are at the forefront of re-envisioning what school can be for each of our students.
We are looking forward to an exciting new year!
Karlin LaPorta
Our School-Wide Vision
The Downey Unified Virtual Academy is dedicated to creating an individualized, whole student-centered approach to learning where our students build their independence, confidence, and communication skills to prepare them for the future of college and careers in an ever-changing global society.
Our Purpose and Mission
Our new Downey Unified Virtual Academy promotes the mission and vision of our district where we are committed to developing all students to be self-motivated learners and productive, responsible, and compassionate members of an ever-changing global society. It is our district vision that all students graduate with a 21st Century education that ensures they are college and career ready, globally competitive and citizens of strong character. These statements are especially true of our new Virtual Academy where our students, staff, and families are embracing the future of education and redefining what it means to be a 21st Century learner.
In Downey Unified, we believe the right environment is vital to guiding and inspiring students to realize their individual potential. Our school provides an alternative to the traditional in-person school setting. The Downey Unified Virtual Academy is an online Independent Study school where students in grades seven through ten are able to take advantage of a more individualized, flexible learning environment while engaging in rigorous college-prep courses provided by a comprehensive online curriculum. It is our primary goal to support our students’ academic success while promoting opportunities for social-emotional well-being and growth.

Student Lounge
Our students have access to a Student Lounge & Resource Center at Downey Unified’s Pace Education Center located in Bellflower. This space is staffed and provides a place where students can interact with peers and teachers in an environment conducive to their online learning experience.
Important Dates
Bell Schedule
Elementary (sample)
Morning Session | 8:30 am – 11:30 am |
Lunch | 11:30 am – 12:30 pm |
Afternoon session | 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm |
Teacher Office Hours | 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm |
Secondary
Blue Day | Gold Day | |
---|---|---|
8:30 – 9:59 |
Period 1
|
Period 2
|
9:59 – 10:15 |
Snack
|
Snack
|
10:15 – 11:46 |
Period 3
|
Period 4
|
11:46 – 12:26 |
Lunch
|
Lunch
|
12:26 – 1:55 |
Period 5
|
Period 6
|
1:55 – 2:01 |
Passing
|
Passing
|
2:01 – 3:30
|
Period 7
|
Period 8
|
School Directory
Karlin LaPorta
Administrator
(562) 469-6655
klaporta@dusd.net
Andrea Larios
Vice Principal
alarios@dusd.net
David Calderon
Counselor
(562) 469-6500 x2751
dcalderon@dusd.net
Patricia Fuentes
Psychologist
pfuentes@dusd.net
Gabriel Santana
Office Clerk
(562) 904-3571
gsantana@dusd.net
Elementary
Suzanne Castanon | 1st Grade | scastanon@dusd.net |
Angelika Wilson | 1st Grade | awilson@dusd.net |
Deborah Gee | 2nd Grade | dgee@dusd.net |
Lorraine Currier | 2nd Grade | lcurrier@dusd.net |
Lance Maxwell | 3rd Grade | lmaxwell@dusd.net |
Debora Sanders | 3rd Grade | dsanders@dusd.net |
Magali’ Riancho Del Bueno | 4th Grade | mdelbueno@dusd.net |
Alex Rocha | 4th Grade | arocha@dusd.net |
Matt Boynton | 5th Grade | mboynton@dusd.net |
Valeria Garcia | 5th Grade | vgarcia@dusd.net |
Sarina Maline | 5th Grade | smaline@dusd.net |
Middle School
Shelley Sanchez | 6th Grade Combined Studies & Electives | ssanchez@dusd.net |
Jaime Valladares | English | javalladares@dusd.net |
Isela Chan | Science | ichan@dusd.net |
Meghan Moore | PE & Academic Support | mmoore@dusd.net |
Alejandro Rios | Math | alrios@dusd.net |
Russ Arnold | Special Education | rarnold@dusd.net |
Arlene Baltazar | Social Studies | abaltazar@dusd.net |
Julia Maldonado | Art | jmaldonado@dusd.net |
Jonathan Melgar | Spanish Elective | jmelgar@dusd.net |
High School
Karen Kozhaya |
English |
kkozhaya@dusd.net |
Meghan Moore |
PE |
mmoore@dusd.net |
Derrick Moore |
History |
dmoore@dusd.net |
Nanette Johnson |
Math |
njohnson@dusd.net |
Julia Maldonado |
Art |
jmaldonado@dusd.net |
Matthew Ellis |
Science |
mellis@dusd.net |
Jonathan Melgar |
Spanish Elective |
jmelgar@dusd.net |
Interventionists & Subs
Jessica Navichoque | Kindergarden Interventionist | jnavichoque@dusd.net |
Angelica Gonzalez | 2nd Grade Interventionist | anggonzalez@dusd.net |
Sarina Maline | Tiered Re-Engagement & Intervention |
Office Hours
7:30 am - 4:00 pm
Student Lounge and Classrooms
Open to students from 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
Contact Us
Technology Help Desk
(562) 469-6905
Program Administrator
(562) 469-6655
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