The 2011-2012 school year marks the 10 year anniversary for Connections Academy, the award-winning, fully accredited provider of high-quality, highly accountable virtual schooling for students in grades K through 12. The virtual learning pioneer celebrates its decade of serving students and families with major milestones: more than 30,000 students will get their education from 22 Connections Academy full-time virtual schools spanning 21 states. New Connections Academy schools serving students in the coming school year include: Georgia Connections Academy; Louisiana Connections Academy; Oklahoma Connections Academy; and Utah Connections Academy. Still more students will benefit from the flexible and online private school option, National Connections Academy.

For the rest of the article. go to Connections Academy Virtual Public School Students Head Back To School — Without Leaving Home

In addition, as Connections Academy co-founder Mickey Revenaugh points out in our story, districts that contract with for-profit companies like hers can offer a wider range of online options than if they had to build it all themselves. It’s not just the rural school in Arkansas that can now offer Mandarin. It’s that amazing online math curriculum that you want your students to benefit from, or the turnkey solution that will allow districts to serve families that opt out of public schooling for religious or political reasons.

For the rest of the article, go to Mutually Assured Learning

A flurry of last-minute deal making in Salem this week secured the passage of a bill that loosens enrollment restrictions for online charter schools, a move that all but guarantees the academy’s gradual growth.

ORCA, as the school is called, is operated by Connections Academy, a Baltimore-based for-profit corporation that runs online schools in 21 states. The school got permission from the tiny Scio school district to launch in 2005, and in just six years it has become the state’s fourth largest school with some 2,500 students. But, like other online schools in Oregon, it has been restricted from growing.

For the rest of the article, go to Lawmakers loosen admissions for online charter schools as state’s largest such school graduates biggest class

Connections Academy’s 2011 graduating class is 89% bigger than its class of 2010 graduates, reflecting the rapid growth of the virtual school program. More than 61 percent of Connections Academy graduates will continue their education and immediately enter four-year colleges and universities or community colleges and approximately 39% will attend vocational schools, enter the military, start careers or pursue other plans.

For the rest of the article, go to Connections Academy, Leading Virtual School Provider, Graduates Record Number of High School Seniors

“As a premier organization for the entire distance learning profession, we are honoring Connections Education as a leader in the industry,” said Dr. John G. Flores, Executive Director of USDLA. “Connections Education, with its high quality Connections Academy virtual school model, stand-out educators and innovative curriculum has raised the bar of excellence for distance learning.  We are truly honored by Connections Education’s contributions to the distance learning industry.”

For the rest of the article, go to Connections Education, Leading Virtual Education Provider, Wins Multiple 2011 International Distance Learning Awards

At the information sessions families can meet with a Connections Academy representative and other parents, thoroughly explore the school’s program and curriculum, and learn about the enrollment process. Other topics covered include: how teachers interact with students in the virtual environment, the benefits of personalized learning, college preparation, socialization, the role of the parent or other Learning Coach, and the use of technology.

For the rest of the article, go to Connections Academy Virtual Schools Launch 2011-2012 Enrollment Season

For the rest of the article, go to Leading Virtual Education Provider Establishes New Corporate Entity – Connections Education Reflects Expansion, New Corporate Structure

More than 2 million children in kindergarten through 12th grade are learning online, and their ranks are growing by almost 20 percent each year, according to research by Ambient Insight. Currently, 45 states have significant supplemental online learning programs, or full-time programs, in which students take most or all of their courses online.

“One reason families are turning to full-time virtual schools is that parents are seeking a more personalized education for their children, where students’ studies are tailored to their abilities and interests, and they can work at their own pace,” says Dr. Steven Guttentag, executive vice president and chief education officer for Connections Academy, a leading virtual school provider that offers both public and private virtual school programs. “Of course most importantly, they work. Students are achieving at high levels and matriculating into some of our nation’s best universities.”

For the rest of the article, go to Virtual schools ‘clicking’ for many students this school year

Connections Academy’s 2010 graduating class is 210% bigger than its class of 2009 graduates, reflecting the rapid growth of the virtual school program. While most CA graduates are looking forward to starting four-year colleges and universities or community colleges, others will attend vocational schools, enter the military, and start careers.

CA graduates have been accepted in more than 100 different colleges and universities, including prestigious higher education institutions such as Harvard University, Clemson University, UCLA, and New York University. Other leading colleges and universities accepting Connections Academy graduates include: Auburn University, Trinity College, Boston College, the University of Michigan, Drexel University, Penn State, and St. Olaf College.

For the rest of the article, go to Connections Academy, Leading Virtual School Provider, Graduates Record Number of Seniors

Baltimore, MD (Vocus) June 17, 2010 — What child doesn’t look forward to summer vacation? It’s a time to get outside, ride bikes, swim, play with friends, and… take a break from school. But unfortunately, it’s also a time when children experience learning losses if they don’t engage in educational activities. Educational research shows that students typically score lower on standardized tests at the end of summer vacation than they do on the same tests at the beginning of the summer (1).

But there is good news for parents, say educators from Connections Academy (www.ConnectionsAcademy.com), a leading virtual school known for its innovative and flexible learning approach. There is a wealth of fun, educational resources available — for free — that can help parents keep their students sharp this summer. Parents can take advantage of some great Internet sites, but should remember favorite, ‘tried and true’ learning activities, like reading books or exploring a museum together.

For the rest of the article, go to Top 10 Summer Learning Tips for Parents: Say Goodbye to Kids’ Summer Slump — Learn Anytime, Anywhere