PREPARE FOR ENROLLMENT
We're glad you have decided to enroll in Arkansas Connections Academy! Before you get started, take a look below at the enrollment process.
Enrollment Information
- First semester enrollment is open and capacity is limited to 6,500 students.
- Once the capacity is met, students who complete all enrollment tasks will be placed on a waiting list and released to enroll on a first come, first served basis.
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Enrollment Information for the 2024-25 School Year
- Per state law, the school has an enrollment limit of 6500 students.
- If the number of applications accepted exceeds the capacity limit, we will use a lottery-style drawing to select students for enrollment on 3/13/2024.
- To be eligible for the lottery, please start registration and follow the steps to create an application.
- If the school does not exceed its enrollment limit, no lottery is required. You will then be able to continue enrolling your student.
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Enrollment Information for the 2023-24 School Year
- We are thrilled that you have decided to enroll at Arkansas Connections Academy (ARCA). Students who do not enroll by 5/8/2024 at 11PM CT can continue with enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year.
- The enrollment capacity is 6,000 students.
- Once the capacity is met, students who complete all enrollment tasks will be placed on a waiting list and released to enroll on a first come, first served basis.
- From 2/12/2024 through 5/8/2024 for grades 3-10 and from 2/12/2024 through 4/30/2024 for grades K-2 and 11-12, part of the enrollment process will require accounts to be reviewed to identify if your student needs to participate in any upcoming testing. Once all enrollment tasks have been completed, students will briefly move to a status of “in review” at which point a member of the Arkansas Connections Academy school staff will review the account to determine if testing is needed. If your student needs to participate in testing, you will be contacted by the school. If not, your student will be released and moved to Confirmation of Enrollment. The review process may take up to 24 hours.
Video: The Connections Academy Enrollment Process
Enrollment Process
Connections Academy Enrollment Process
Learn about the steps of the Connections Academy enrollment process.
STEP 1
Understand Your Commitment
STEP 2
Check Eligibility
You must meet specific state and program requirements to attend Arkansas Connections Academy. Student eligibility requirements are determined by Arkansas state laws. Before enrolling, review the following eligibility requirements carefully to determine whether your student(s) is eligible to participate in grades K-12. Once your enrollment is confirmed, please immediately withdraw your student from their previous publicly-funded school. Students cannot be simultaneously enrolled in two public schools.
Note: Arkansas Connections Academy does not accept students who are currently expelled or suspended from their local school or district.
STEP 3
Prepare Documents
Please have the following documents available when you are ready to begin the enrollment process.
Child's Proof of Age
Date of Birth Affidavit
Child's Proof of Age
A copy of one of the following documents must be provided for every student to verify age eligibility.
- Official birth certificate
- Passport
- Baptismal papers
- Military ID
- Government-issued ID
To avoid unnecessary delays, please provide a copy of one of these official documents along with your enrollment documents.
Not Sure Where to Get That?
- If you need a copy of your child's birth certificate, you can order it online through the Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services. Please visit the Arkansas Vital Records webpage for more information.
- If your child was born in another state, please visit the CDC’s Where to Write for Vital Records webpage for more information. When using this tool, please remember to follow the CDC's Application Guidelines.
- Have questions about your U.S. passport? Visit the U.S. Department of State FAQs page.
As a reminder, the age eligibility is as follows:
- Kindergarten: Any student enrolling in kindergarten must be five (5) years old on or before August 1 in the school year for which you are enrolling.
- First grade: Any student enrolling in first grade must be six (6) years old on or before October 1 in the school year for which you are enrolling.
- Maximum Age: Any student who turns twenty-one (21) years old on or before September 1 will not be eligible to enroll in Arkansas Connections Academy.
Proof of Residence
Proof of Residence
Proof of Residence
A copy of one of the following documents must be provided to verify your legal residence. If you do not have any of these documents, please contact the enrollment team to discuss acceptable alternatives.
Not Sure What is Accepted as Proof?
- Gas, electric, water, or sewage bill from the last 60 days, that includes your name and service address
- Mortgage statement (from the last 60 days) or a signed annual lease agreement
- Property tax statement
- Letter from a government agency dated within the past 60 days
Child's Proof of Immunization
Immunization
Child's Proof of Immunization
All students in Arkansas must provide evidence of their immunizations on one of the following:
- State of Arkansas Official Immunization Form
- Official school record
- Healthcare provider or Health Department printout
- Immunization booklet with all doses stamped
- Connections Academy Immunization Form, which is a part of your enrollment documents available in the Enrollment Portal.
These forms must be signed or stamped by a health care provider.
Not Sure What Immunizations are Required?
Where Can I get Immunizations for My Student?
Immunizations can be obtained from doctor’s offices, clinics, or hospitals. Pediatricians and family doctors or their nurses or medical assistants can give your student the shots they need to meet the requirements for school enrollment. In addition, some large chain pharmacies offer immunizations for older children and adults.
What if I need Assistance Paying for Vaccines?
If you need assistance paying for shots/vaccinations, you may be able to get free or reduced immunizations through the program listed below:
- Vaccines for Children (VFC) program is a federally funded program that provides vaccines at no cost to children who might not otherwise be vaccinated because of inability to pay. Children who are eligible for VFC vaccines are entitled to receive pediatric vaccines that are recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
Immunization Exemptions
The state of Arkansas allows for medical or religious exemptions. Parents seeking exemption from immunizations for medical or religious reasons must request a vaccine exemption form directly from the Arkansas Department of Health, Immunization Branch. Once you have submitted a completed vaccine exemption form to the Arkansas Department of Health, you should receive an approval letter. Please provide Arkansas Connections Academy with a copy of this approval letter from the Arkansas Department of Health.
Prior Academic Records
Prior Academic Records
Prior Academic Records
Students across Arkansas in grades K-12 are eligible to enroll in Arkansas Connections Academy. Those who have previously attended public school, private school, or homeschool will be asked to submit academic records for placement. These academic records include:
Report Card
For students applying for grades K–9: Please submit a copy of the report card from the most recent school year.
The following items should be included on the report card:
- Student Name
- Grade Level
- School Year (example: 2023–24)
- School Name
- Grading Scale (example: 90–100%=A)
Unofficial Transcript
For students applying for grades 10–12: Submit an unofficial transcript that includes the complete end-of-year grades from the prior school year(s) and any academic documentation (such as a progress report/interim report, class schedule, or marking period/semester report card) issued for the current school year. Additional documentation may be requested for placement.
The following items should be included on the unofficial transcript:
- Student Name
- Grade Level
- School Year (example: 2023–24)
- School Name
- Grading Scale (example: 90–100%=A)
- Credits Earned
Not Sure How to Get Your Child’s Report Card or Transcript?
- Contact your student's previous school and request the document, providing them with the information outlined above, OR contact your school's district office with the request.
If after attempting these steps you still cannot obtain your student's report card or transcript, please contact the academic placement services team at 1-833-591-0251 to discuss acceptable alternatives.
Have Your Child(ren) Been Formerly Homeschooled?
- For homeschooled students in grades K–12: Complete the Prior Academic History Form indicating what courses were completed through a homeschool curriculum. This form will be available to you in Pearson Online Classroom.
Other Documents for Special Circumstances
Proof of Residence
Other Documents for Special Circumstances
You may need to provide additional documentation if any of the following circumstances apply:
- Vision Screenings: All new students entering kindergarten and grades 1, 3, 6, and 9 should provide a copy of the student's most recent vision screening within 30 days of the start of school.
- Custody order: If your legal guardianship is determined by a court order, please submit a copy of the order.
- Proof of Recent Physical: Students enrolling in kindergarten and 1st grade should provide a copy of the student's most recent physical examination.
Enroll to
BE A PART OF OUR ONLINE PUBLIC SCHOOL
Join the Connections Academy community and help your child go further in school and in their life ahead.
Give Us a Call
If you have any concerns or questions about how to enroll, our enrollment team is here to help.
Please call us at 1-833-591-0251.
Arkansas Connections Academy admits students and conducts all educational programs, activities, and employment practices without discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, creed, sexual orientation, disability, or any other legally protected classification.
Enrollment Support Hours:
Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. CT