Growing minds.
Shaping futures.
2019-20 eGUIDE
TUITION-FREE ONLINE PUBLIC SCHOOL FOR GRADES K–12
>
Connections Academy and
Connections Education LLC established
>
Connexus
®
online learning
system launches
>
The rst Connections Academy–supported schools open
>
Connections Academy launches student clubs & activities
>
Pearson acquires
Connections Education LLC
>
National Connections Academy
private school option becomes
International Connections Academy
>
Connections Academy continues expanding
high-quality K–12 online learning across the country
2002
2011
2013
2019
We have been part of shaping exceptional school
experiences for students in grades K12 since 2001.
2001
OUR history
Click items to learn
a bit more about our history.
2
10
12
24
26
27
ABOUT OUR SCHOOL
4
>
IS ONLINE SCHOOL RIGHT FOR YOUR CHILD?
6
>
EACH DAY IS AS UNIQUE AS YOUR STUDENT
8
>
HOW DOES ONLINE SCHOOL WORK?
OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES
OUR APPROACH
14
>
CARING, STATE-CERTIFIED TEACHERS
16
>
HIGH-QUALITY CURRICULUM
18
>
YOUR ROLE AS PARENT
20
>
GETTING SOCIAL
22
>
OUR TECHNOLOGY
SUCCESS STORIES
TAKE THE NEXT STEP
ENROLL YOUR STUDENT
Table of Contents
THE
RATINGS
ARE IN!
Families consistently
give Connections
Academy high ratings
in our annual Parent Satisfaction Survey.
Throughout this guide,
we are pleased to share the ratings from our 2019 survey.
Since 2001, Connections Academy has transformed school
for students and their families through a combination of
caring, certified teachers and personalized learning delivered
in a safe, secure online platform.
A
traditional bricks-and-mortar public school setting doesn’t
work for every child. And that’s okay. Connections Academy
®
supported schools provide a high-quality education tailored
to t the unique needs of your child so he or she can start preparing
for a bright future.
Connections Academy is a tuition-free online public school for
grades K–12. Working from home with caring, state-certied teachers
and parental support, students can reach their highest potential.
We understand that every student connects to education in a
unique way. That’s why we give students the room to explore their
passions with more freedom to dive deeper into subjects, move more
quickly, or slow down and take more time where needed, and to
choose electives and extracurricular activities that motivate them
to succeed.
While working through a curriculum that meets state standards,
students share this journey with specially trained teachers, online
classmates, and a personal Learning Coach or mentor. This support
system keeps students on track for future success by providing:
A safe, supportive school environment
Advancement through elementary, middle,
or high school
Personalized choice of courses and social activities
College and career readiness
ABOUT
our school
2
of parents
are satisfied
with the
Connections
Academy
program
95
%
See how Connections Academy
brings school to life for our students
by using technology to foster learning.
3
38
online
public schools
across
28
states
and growing!
TEACHER-LED
courses
Lesson tools include
texts, video,
and
multimedia
70,000
+
students enrolled
nationwide for
2018–19 school year
CONNECTIONS
ACADEMY
BASIC
FACTS
Tuition-free
and
no
materials fees
Many schools are accredited
by one or more regional accrediting
organizations, and Connections
Education is accredited by AdvancED.*
* Connections Academy schools are supported by Connections Education LLC, which is accredited by AdvancED.
of parents
would
recommend
Connections
Academy
to other
families
94
%
See how online
school works
for our students.
4
Is online school
right for your child?
A
comprehensive, engaging education awaits your child online.
Connections Academy may be a great t if you’ve ever thought
that school would work better for your child if it oered:
A high-quality curriculum
More choice in coursework
Flexible pacing
Accelerated learning
A safe, supportive environment
Caring, state-certied teachers
A clear path to success
Connections Academy oers opportunities
that are as unique as your child through our clubs
and activities. Better still, you can choose your level
of comfort with peer socializing by either attending
in-person eld trips or enrolling in virtual clubs.
5
Want more FLEXIBLE pacing and scheduling
48
%
Want another PUBLIC SCHOOL OPTION
to t their needs
37
%
Seek a SAFE & SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT
36
%
Want more PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
in their child’s education
25
%
Are leaving a BULLYING situation
23
%
Like that Connections Education is ACCREDITED
20
%
Want a TAILORED EDUCATION
to meet their child’s unique needs
17
%
Have a child with HEALTH CONCERNS
17
%
Like the support oered by CERTIFIED TEACHERS
12
%
Are happy that Connections Academy
is part of their
PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM
11
%
TOP 10 REASONS
PARENTS CHOOSE
CONNECTIONS ACADEMY
AMPM
8
9
10
11
12
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Physics
LiveLesson
®
session
English
AP Computer Science
LiveLesson session
Physical therapy
4H Club meeting
Doctor’s appointment
U.S. Government
lessons
German
Physics
Ben
Grade 12
School Clubs & Activities Extracurricular Personal
Cierra
Grade 11
Train at the gym
Geometry
LiveLesson session
AP English
Chemistry
Chinese
U.S. History
LiveLesson session
Web Design
College Planning Club
Gymnastics team
Jake
Grade 7
Math
LiveLesson session
English
Work on Science Fair
portfolio
Skateboarding
with friends
Spanish
Chess Club
Social Studies
Piano lesson
Isabella
Grade 3
LiveLesson session
with teacher
Language Arts
Social Studies
Math lessons:
Practice
multiplication tables
Ballet class
Science
Play outside
with friends
Art Club
6
Each day is as unique
as your student
C
onnections Academy’s scheduling exibility means that you can
arrange each day to benet your student and his or her ability
to learn. Tackle challenging subjects when students are most
alert—and take extra time, if needed. Start schoolwork later or earlier
than usual. Eat lunch when hungry. If frustration arises, take a break
for some exercise. As long as your student remains on track for course
completion, you can also plan the learning day to accommodate
appointments, family responsibilities, and personal interests.
Look at these examples to see how exible scheduling can work
for your family!
Learn how the Martin family uses Connections
Academy’s flexible pacing and scheduling each day.
7
I wanted to be able to practice and
travel more for tennis. My daily
routine is to practice tennis, do
schoolwork, have lunch with friends,
do more schoolwork, have tennis
practice, and work on my tness.
Carson
HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENT
8
How does
online school work?
C
onnections Academy is similar to a traditional public bricks-and-
mortar school; both oer a tuition-free public education and
state-certied teachers. The dierence is that online school can
take place in your home or wherever your student is most comfortable
and open to learning. In addition to working oine with texts and other
hands-on lessons, online students spend a portion of their day learning
on the computer.
Scheduling flexibility
The academic year is similar to that of traditional school, with
coursework typically kicking o in the fall and wrapping up by late
spring/early summer. Within the daily calendar we oer scheduling
exibility, giving your student the choice to work ahead on some
material or take more time on more challenging courses. Students
can also schedule sports practice, music lessons, religious studies,
or medical appointments during the day and then nish up lessons
on the go.
Online learning system
Students work independently then meet in online forums called
LiveLesson
®
sessions with teachers and peers. And, like in traditional
public school, Connections Academy students advance to the next
grade and work toward earning a high school diploma—preparing for
career or college.
of parents
like the
flexibility
their child has
to complete
coursework
90
%
9
Learn how the Craigo family is able to stay
involved and support their children’s success.
I am taking steps toward a STEM career
through my courses, talks with a scientist,
clubs, and contests. I’m learning a lot, but it is
way more fun than having to sit around in
a classroom all day. Connections Academy has
been perfect for me.
Caroline
MIDDLE SCHOOL
STUDENT
Students pursuing
a challenging
curriculum to
prepare for college
Gifted students
Advanced learners
Students who want
college prep courses
Students who
value strong
family support
Previously
homeschooled
students
Students whose
families seek to include
religious beliefs
Students whose
families seek to include
cultural traditions
Students preparing
to enter a career
right out
of high school
Students preparing
for a vocation
Students who need
a dierent path to
earning a diploma
Students who
need more
one-on-one support
Students who
need exibility
with regard to
where they learn
Students struggling
in bricks-and-mortar
schools
Students and families
seeking an alternative
Students from
military families
Students seeking
an inclusive
school community
Previously
bullied students
Students with
special needs
Students overcoming
health issues
Students who
need scheduling
exibility to pursue
lifelong interests
Students in
performing arts
Student athletes
Students with other
extracurricular passions
OUR SCHOOL IS IDEAL FOR…
Families choosing online school want their children to
succeed but need choices as to how, when, and where the
academic portion of the day takes place. Online school
is a great fit for a diverse group of students.
Our students
AND FAMILIES
10
11
Connections Academy helped me see
that I can do things dierently from most
people. I am learning self-discipline and
how to be independent. I can work out
every morning, travel a lot, and learn in
other places.
Carter
ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL STUDENT
Being the new kids in a small town
was hard enough, but being military
kids in a civilian community didn't
make sense for our kids or the other
students. At Connections Academy
they are able to learn while not
being outsiders.
Christi
PARENT
At Connections Academy, we consider a child’s gis
and abilities to drive student engagement. That’s why we
oer the Personalized Performance Learning® approach.
N
o two children learn the same way. Our customized learning
plans, schedules, and courses give your child the opportunity to
learn in a way that is best for him or her and leads to success.
When students receive the one-on-one individualized attention
they deserve, there’s no telling how far they’ll go. The Personalized
Performance Learning approach gives every student the best chance
to ourish.
We build the entire learning experience around your student
and provide:
Caring, state-certied teachers
A high-quality curriculum
An opportunity for parent involvement
Social opportunities
Technology that powers learning
Some traditional schools expect every child to learn in the same
way, rather than recognizing unique needs. At Connections Academy,
caring teachers use your child’s skills and interests as a springboard,
giving context to the material so your child is motivated to learn.
Teachers are able to create a personalized and engaging experience
using technology as a tool while working with you as part of the team.
OUR
approach
12
of parents
value
customized
one-on-one
instruction
94
%
13
STUDENT-CENTERED LEARNING
Data on student
progress helps
teachers adjust
their instruction
to maximize
learning.
I
N
F
O
R
M
E
D
T
E
A
C
H
I
N
G
Families
become part
of a welcoming
and supportive
learning
community.
F
A
M
I
L
Y
S
U
P
P
O
R
T
Our online learning
system keeps parents
informed and students
on track.
L
E
A
R
N
I
N
G
S
Y
S
T
E
M
O
N
L
I
N
E
Our high-quality
curriculum suits
your child’s unique
needs and prepares
each student for
a successful future.
C
U
R
R
I
C
U
L
U
M
Teachers work closely
with families to create
a personalized
learning plan.
T
E
A
C
H
E
R
To help ensure success,
the Learning Coach
supports the student’s
learning at home.
L
E
A
R
N
I
N
G
C
O
A
C
H
S
T
U
D
E
N
T
Click on each item
to learn more.
14
Caring,
state-certified teachers
C
onnections Academy teachers get to know your entire family
as they build life-changing connections with their students. This
helps teachers personalize lessons and coursework to ensure
that each student is both challenged and supported in the right way.
Connections Academy teachers are certied in their grade levels
and subject areas. All have a bachelor’s degree, and many have a
master’s or other advanced degree. They consistently update their
skills with training, coaching, and professional development and have
been specially trained in teaching in an online environment. Teachers
also collaborate regularly with other teachers to share best practices
and to coordinate their eorts to meet their students’ needs.
When working with your child, teachers may:
Modify instruction or lessons
Provide ways to practice skills
Work one-on-one with a student
of parents
say their
child’s
teachers
are helpful
97
%
We make learning personal. When your
student enrolls, we conduct assessments
that help us gain insight into your
child’s strengths. This way, we can tailor
each child’s instruction to provide the
right amount of challenge and support.
Connections Academy teachers connect
with students to personalize learning.
The bond between teachers and
families speaks for itself. In addition,
Connections Academy provides
opportunities for socialization in
LiveLesson
sessions, eld trips, clubs,
and more. This allows students to
connect and get together oine.
My previous experiences in education did not
allow me to fully specialize instruction to the
strengths of each of my students. With the
exibility provided by online education, I have
more opportunities to work with my students
one-on-one or in small groups to truly
teach them the content in a way that plays
to their strengths.
15
Jessica Hunter
MIDDLE SCHOOL
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
ARTS TEACHER
Chintan Patel
MIDDLE SCHOOL
SOCIAL STUDIES
TEACHER
16
High-quality
curriculum
O
ur online curriculum is a highly eective alternative to a
traditional public or homeschool curriculum. It’s designed to
help students gain the knowledge and thinking skills they’ll
need for life, work, and higher education.
Curriculum experts select the best texts and teaching materials
from leading publishers to create lessons and activities. Our
multimedia team works closely with these experts to create interactive
tools and resources that get students involved in learning.
With the best resources at their ngertips, students master core
subjects: language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.
We also oer a broad range of electives, gifted and talented courses,
and honors and AP
®
* classes.
At each grade level, we lay the groundwork for future success by:
Building a solid foundation in required courses
Developing lifelong learning and communication skills
Encouraging exploration, critical thinking, and problem-solving
Providing transparency into curriculum and grades
so you can track student progress
of parents
agree that
the curriculum
is high quality
95
%
* AP
®
and Advanced Placement
®
are registered trademarks of the College Board. Used with permission.
Take a peek
at sample lessons
17
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL
MIDDLE SCHOOL
The courses meet or
exceed national and
state standards while
also keeping students
engaged in new and
creative ways.
18
Your role
as parent
A
t Connections Academy, we love it when parents take an active
role in their child’s education and work with students daily on
their lessons. We’ve found that for students to succeed in online
school, parent involvement is essential.
We call this role the Learning Coach. The Learning Coach is a
guide who supports online learning by communicating with teachers,
monitoring progress and grades, and helping with organization and
study skills. This is an important role usually held by a parent or other
trusted adult in a student’s life.
The active support of a parent or other trusted adult can set an
example for students of the importance of education while giving
parents a greater level of participation in their child’s schooling.
Time commitment
We recommend that the Learning Coach determine how much
hands-on time to spend based on the student’s age, development,
and personal learning plan.
While the time needed lessens as students become more
independent learners, the Learning Coach is an important part of your
child’s educational team and should be prepared to spend a signicant
amount of time working with your child to ensure success.
of parents
agree that
they have more
opportunity
to be involved
in their child’s
education
97
%
Select your student’s
grade level to see recommended
Learning Coach activities and
daily time commitment
19
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 5 HOURS
Naturally, elementary school students
need the most guidance and oversight
from their Learning Coaches.
MIDDLE SCHOOL 2–3 HOURS
In middle school, your student works
more independently with subject-
specialist teachers and may have more
LiveLesson sessions, but still needs
support from a Learning Coach.
HIGH SCHOOL
1
2 – 1 HOUR
In high school, your student has a
rmer schedule and completes
most work online, but still needs
the guidance of a Learning Coach.
of parents
would give
Connections
Academy
high marks
91
%
Take a peek at a slideshow galley
of field trips, clubs, and student work
20
Geing social
Y
our student doesn’t have to miss out on building friendships
and participating in social activities in online school. You can
choose the level of socialization that you are comfortable with—
whether in a Connections Academy online club, on local eld trips, or
participating in activities within your community.
These socialization opportunities give students a chance to
explore the world around them. Students gain social condence,
learn teamwork, and develop leadership and communication skills.
And they have fun!
Many students attending Connections Academy schools are
involved with activities in their local communities, and a few have
even started their own nonprots. The exibility of the program
allows students to take advantage of more extracurricular activities.
We encourage every student to nd and explore interests outside
of school.
21
Experience shows that students
learn best in an inclusive and
welcoming community of parents,
teachers, and peers—all working
toward a common goal.
Connections Academy has
connected me with the right
people and opportunities
to allow me to thrive as a
student and help me
prepare for college.
Carlie
HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENT
22
Our technology
E
ducation technology works best when it makes learning relatable,
meaningful, and fun. That’s why we develop many of our own
engaging virtual tools and resources. It all starts with our online
learning system, Connexus
®
, which brings the school experience right
to your student.
Your new home base
At home or wherever you have internet access, this user-friendly
system connects students with lessons, teachers, and a wide range
of resources. From their personalized home page, students and
families can:
Access daily lessons and assignments
Monitor progress through the online grade book
Create and update monthly or daily schedules
Connect with teachers and other students and families
Access videos, web applications, and other learning tools
Provide feedback on courses and the school
Bring online
learning to life
with Connexus,
our learning
platform.
23
LiveLesson® sessions
Students benet from periodic live
online sessions provided by their
teachers as needed, based on course
content and the learning needs of
the students. These LiveLesson
sessions oer the interaction
of a traditional classroom in an
online setting.
By typing or speaking into
a microphone, students can ask
and answer questions in real time.
They can:
Use on-screen tools
Join in class discussions
Work with other students in small-group sessions
View videos and teacher demonstrations
Teachers also use this powerful technology, sometimes with
web cameras, to hold virtual oce hours or meet with students
for personalized one-on-one instructional support.
Our exclusive Learning Buddies—
Lion, Ladybug, Clara the Cat, and
other animal friends—bring courses
to life for students in grades 1–5.
See how Delaney and her family
found success with online school.
Connections Academy has been a game changer for many
students and families. Hear what they have to say about their
experience in Connections Academy–supported schools.
Success
STORIES
24
Learn about students from
your home state.
See how other students
benefit from online school.
MEET STUDENTS
IN YOUR STATE
STUDENT
SPOTLIGHTS
I needed an environment where my
child’s individual needs as a student
and a person would be supported,
encouraged, and celebrated. I knew
that the local bricks-and-mortar
schools couldn’t provide both the
social and academic setting to meet
all of her needs.
25
Leigh-Anne
PARENT
As a parent, I truly believe that with
this school choice, we are laying the
foundation for a good work ethic,
essential workforce skills, and a love of
learning. I would absolutely recommend
Connections Academy to other families.
In fact, I have referred many!
Melissa
PARENT
We don’t all live and learn the same
way, and parents may be surprised
to nd that alternatives can work
better and can help their family
meet their goals.
Bionca
PARENT
We would love to have your family join Connections
Academy, and we are here to answer questions and
provide more information about our courses, teachers, and
individualized approach to educating your unique student.
Find your new school!
Tuition-free Connections Academy online public schools are available in
many states. Select your state to nd out if a school is available in your
area, then follow the link to learn more.
TAKE THE
next step
26
Click on your state
to find a school.
Alabama Hawaii Massachusetts New Mexico South Dakota
Alaska Idaho Michigan New York Tennessee
Arizona Illinois Minnesota North Carolina Texas
Arkansas Indiana Mississippi North Dakota Utah
California Iowa Missouri Ohio Vermont
Colorado Kansas Montana Oklahoma Virginia
Connecticut Kentucky Nebraska Oregon Washington
Delaware Louisiana Nevada Pennsylvania West Virginia
Florida Maine New Hampshire Rhode Island Wisconsin
Georgia Maryland New Jersey South Carolina Wyoming
Follow these steps to enroll your student in
Connections Academy.
Enroll
YOUR STUDENT
27
Pre-enrollment checklist
To enroll, you will need to gather some information rst.
There’s a handy enrollment checklist to help you gather
documents. Select your school to see state-required documents.
Enroll online
Visit our online enrollment page, select your school, and complete
the online forms to get your student’s enrollment started.
Submit the required documentation
After you have created your enrollment account online, you will
need to submit the required documents. Our enrollment and
course placement experts will review your documents and let you
know if more information is needed.
Confirm your enrollment
The last step in the process is to review your student’s course
assignments and verify your intent to attend your selected
Connections Academy school.
1
2
3
4
Students who ENROLL EARLY make a stronger start in
online school. This gives families the opportunity to
prepare by attending school events and learning more
about how online school works. Yet it costs nothing
to give your child this advantage.
Early Bird
Advantage
Connections Academy schools are
supported by Connections Education LLC,
which is accredited by AdvancED.
Call us
to enroll
8--
10960 Grantchester Way
Columbia, MD 21044
© 2019 Connections Education LLC. All rights reserved.
Finish enrollment early
This ensures you receive your learning materials
before school starts, plus gives you early access
to orientation and online resources.
Aend an information session
or other event
Whether in person or online, you can get
answers to your questions about online school
and how it works.
Set up your home classroom
Organize learning materials and create a
distraction-free zone.
GET READY
to succeed!