Frequently Asked Questions

Evaluating Our Program

1. What is Connections Academy?
2. What grades does Connections Academy serve?
3. How much does the program cost?
4. What does a Connections Academy family receive?
5. What curriculum does Connections Academy provide?
6. What subjects does Connections Academy offer?
7. Has any educational organization ever evaluated the curriculum?
8. How much time do students spend on the computer?
9. What computer skills do Connections Academy students and learning coaches need?
10. What do current parents think about Connections Academy?
11. Can I get in touch with a current parent?
12. Are there opportunities to meet other Connections Academy families?
13. Will my child be required to take standardized tests, and where?

Enrolling in Connections Academy

1. How do I apply?
2. When does the school year start and end?
3. Can I enroll my child after the school year has started?
4. Can my child attend the program part-time or during the summer?

Other Questions

1. Are Connections Academy schools non-profit?
2. Is the Connections Academy program homeschooling?
3. Can I use my Apple Macintosh to access the Learning Management System?
4. What are the job opportunities at Connections Academy?

1. What is Connections Academy?

   Connections Academy provides a new form of free public school that students attend from home or another location outside a traditional classroom. This is a unique program that combines the strong parental involvement of home schooling, the expertise and accountability of publicly funded education, and the flexibility of online classes. Connections Academy provides all the tools and support students need to learn in the non-classroom setting. We currently operate schools in many states.

2. What grades does Connections Academy serve?

   In the 2008–09 school year Connections Academy will serve students in grades K–12 in most states. Check your school's home page on this web site to find out more.

3. How much does the program cost?

   The program is free—including all of the books and curriculum. The only costs are the optional field trips, which are organized by your school's Community Coordinators, and the replenishment of some school supplies, such as printer cartridges.

4. What does a Connections Academy family receive?

   First-Class Curriculum: Our program features curriculum developed by leading educational publishers. Connections Academy families receive textbooks from these and other leading publishers, comprehensive lesson plans, and exciting enrichment courses.

   High-Quality Teaching: Connections Academy's professional, full-time teachers work one-on-one with students and their parents to review assignments and customize the curriculum, including extra help for struggling or gifted students.

   State-of-the-Art Technology: Families receive a computer, printer, and subsidy for Internet access*; online communication, planning, and learning management tools; online lessons and library resources; and technology literacy courses.

   Community Connections: Connections Academy facilitates numerous activities, online and in person. Our community coordinators plan field trips, special projects, and group meetings with other families in your area.

   *Availability of computer equipment and Internet access varies by state.

5. What curriculum does Connections Academy provide?

   Connections Academy provides comprehensive lesson plans, both online and in print in all core subjects like reading and math, along with exciting enrichment courses. Visit our curriculum to learn more. Our proven curriculum incorporates materials developed by leading educational institutions as well as lessons developed by our own curriculum specialists. The curriculum providers include McGraw-Hill, Calvert School, Prentice Hall, and Houghton Mifflin, to list just a few.

6. What subjects does Connections Academy offer?

   Connections Academy offers Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Geography. Our curriculum also includes Art, Physical Education, Music, Home Life, Foreign Language, Technology Literacy, and other enrichment courses. Course offerings vary by state and grade level.

7. Has any educational organization ever evaluated the curriculum?

   The Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA) has accredited the Connections Academy curriculum. Connections Academy was the first national K–12 virtual public school program to be accredited by this internationally recognized organization.

8. How much time do students spend on the computer?

   The amount of time a student spends on the computer varies by grade. Younger students spend approximately 10%, middle school students spend about 30%, and high school students spend about 50% of their time working on the computer.

9. What computer skills do Connections Academy students and learning coaches need?

   Students and Learning Coaches do not need advanced computer skills to attend Connections Academy. We make it easy by providing orientation courses to students and parents to become completely familiar with all aspects of our system. Connections Academy also provides a supplementary technology literacy program that allows students to develop additional technology skills.

10. What do current parents think about Connections Academy?

    Every year we ask Connections Academy families to rate our program. During the 2006–07 school year,

    • 95% agreed or strongly agreed that the curriculum is high quality.
    • 96% agreed that their students are satisfied with the Connections Academy program.
    • 96% are satisfied with the helpfulness of their teachers.
    • 94% are satisfied with the gifted & talented and honors/AP program.
    • 94% agreed that they are more or equally satisfied with Connections Academy compared to the student’s previous school.
    • 95% recommend Connections Academy to others.

    View the complete results.

11. Can I get in touch with a current parent?

    Yes, we encourage you to contact a parent. Go to our Contact a Parent page to access the backgrounds of several Connections Academy parents. If you would like to get in touch with one of the parents, complete the online form provided, and we will arrange an email or phone call.

12. Are there opportunities to meet other Connections Academy families?

    Yes. Connections Academy understands the importance of students and parents interacting with others in the program and in the community. We facilitate numerous activities, online and in person. Our community coordinators plan field trips, special projects, and group meetings with other families in your area. Our online discussion groups and private email system allow you to communicate with other students or parents from all of our schools.

13. Will my child be required to take standardized tests, and where?

    Yes. All students must complete the standardized tests that are required in their state or district. We also provide a test preparation program to develop the skills that our students will need to perform well on many types of assessments. Your Connections Academy school will arrange testing locations throughout the state and will inform you in advance of where and when your child is scheduled to attend.

14. How do I apply?

    Visit your school's enrollment page and complete the online application. After receiving your application, a Connections Academy Enrollment Counselor will guide you through the rest of the enrollment process.

15. When does the school year start and end?

    Start and end dates vary by school. Check your school's enrollment page for the correct start and end dates.

16. Can I enroll my child after the school year has started?

    Yes, in many states you can. Check out your school's web page for more information, or call us for a consultation, particularly if you want to start late in the school year.

17. Can my child attend the program part-time or during the summer?

    Most Connections Academy schools are offered on a full-time basis. The Missouri Virtual Instruction Program is unique in that it offers both full-time and part-time enrollment. At present we do not offer a summer-school program. Visit your school’s enrollment page to learn more.

18. Are Connections Academy schools non-profit?

    Connections Academy schools are operated under contract to non-profit organizations that are either charter schools or governmental entities.

19. Is the Connections Academy program homeschooling?

    Although Connections Academy and home schooling have some similar attributes, Connections Academy is not home schooling. All Connections Academy schools are public school programs. Connections Academy schools provide a defined set of curriculum materials that have been specifically aligned to local standards and use certified teachers to evaluate student performance, including decisions concerning the child's grade level promotion. All Connections Academy students are required to take state standardized tests and the schools are accountable for the students' performance to regulatory authorities.

20. Can I use my Apple Macintosh to access the Learning Management System?

    No, we do not support the use of Apple Macintosh systems at this time. Please review the system requirements for complete details.

21. What are the job opportunities at Connections Academy?

    We are always looking for hard-working, dedicated individuals to join our team. Please review our current openings to see if a position is available near you. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.