Heather’s four children are enrolled with Connections Academy. She is impressed with the academic challenges and the life skills her children have learned through Connections Academy.
Our four children had been attending a local private school for several years, but after the turn in the economy, we had to look at other options. They each had been in a nurturing environment and had been able to accelerate academically, and we wanted to make sure that they would be challenged in the way they were accustomed.
As we began to research our options, the idea of “virtual schooling” kept coming up. I never considered myself a traditional “home-schooler” and wasn’t sure I was cut out for that route. In addition, our intent was never to completely withdraw from the norms of schooling, but we yearned for the flexibility of working at our own pace—either accelerated or enhanced—and of making our own schedule. The K–12 program seemed to be fairly prominent in our area, but I didn’t feel it met the needs of my children.
Once I found Connections Academy, I learned that I would be the “Learning Coach” and would not be left on my own to be totally responsible for my children’s education. Connections Academy is a school first and foremost. They have researched the best curriculum out there and have integrated each lesson with dynamic interactive tools—not just workbooks/textbooks or the dreaded “screen.” I was impressed to find that there were many certified teachers that take an active part in my children’s learning through regular LiveLesson sessions, emails, and phone calls. In addition, through dual-enrollment, my high school student is still able to take her electives or play on the sports teams at the public school, while remaining at home for her core classes—thus getting the best of both worlds and not missing out on anything “social” that is important to her.
After our first year, I was impressed by the challenges presented academically, but I was also impressed with the “life skills” that my children have learned at an early age. They have learned time management and task management, which otherwise would not occur until they left for college. They are able to see on a daily/weekly/monthly basis what assignments and projects they have before them and can plan accordingly. In addition, they are learning to communicate with many people whom they don’t know or see on a regular basis in nontraditional ways, so they have to learn to phrase their words accordingly so they can be understood. Finally, they are learning technology skills that, again, they wouldn’t get in a traditional school setting.
Overall, Connections Academy has been a very positive experience for our family. Not to say there aren’t challenges—occasional power struggles and shortcuts—but in the end my children are not only learning, but they are thriving! After the first year, I asked them if we were re-enrolling—and each of them gave a resounding yes!