PREPARE FOR ENROLLMENT
We're glad you have decided to enroll in Ohio's Great River 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.
- 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.
Please do not withdraw your student from their current school until you have completed Final Confirmation.
Video: The Connections Academy Enrollment Process
Enrollment Process
Connections Academy Enrollment Process
Learn about the steps of the Connections Academy enrollment process.
2024-25 Enrollment Updates
Enrollment Information for the 2024-25 School Year
- Per state law, the school has an enrollment limit.
- If the number of applications accepted exceeds the capacity limit, we will use a lottery-style drawing to select students for enrollment on 3/7/2024.
- 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.
2023-24 Enrollment Updates
Enrollment Information for the 2023-24 School Year
- The enrollment capacity has been met in grades K-1 and 3-9. Space is still available in grades 2 and 10.
- Students in grades K-1 and 3-9 who complete all enrollment tasks will be placed on a waiting list and released to enroll on a first come, first served basis.
STEP 1
Understand Your Commitment
STEP 2
Check Eligibility
You must meet specific state and program requirements to attend Great River Connections Academy, an online school in Ohio. Student eligibility requirements in Ohio are determined by the Ohio Council of Community Schools, which is the authorizing body for Great River Connections Academy. 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: Great River Connections Academy does not accept students who are currently suspended or expelled 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
Child's Proof of Age
Child's Proof of Age
A copy of one of the following documents must be provided for every student to verify age eligibility. To avoid unnecessary delays, provide a copy of this document along with your enrollment documents.
- Official birth certificate
- Passport
Not Sure Where to Get That?
- If you need a copy of your child's birth certificate, you can order it online through the Ohio Department of Health. Please visit the Ohio Department of Health 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 in which they are enrolling.
- First grade: Any student enrolling in first grade must be six (6) years old on or before August 1 in the school year in which they are enrolling.
- Maximum Age: Any student who turns twenty-two (22) years old on or before the first day of school will not be eligible to enroll in Great River Connections Academy.
Proof of Residence
Proof of Residence
Proof of Residence
According to the Great River Connections Academy Proof of Residency Policy, you must reside in the State of Ohio and provide acceptable proof of residency to be eligible for enrollment in Great River Connections Academy.
Not Sure What is Accepted as Proof?
- Gas, electric, water, sewage, garbage/trash, cable, Internet, landline telephone bill or receipt of utility installation from the last 90 days that includes your name and service address
- Mortgage statement from the last 90 days or signed annual lease agreement
- Property tax statement
- Deed
- Home owner’s or renter’s insurance policy declaration page
- USPS Return Receipt from a certified letter sent to parent(s) by the district of residence
Any of the following are also acceptable if dated within the past 90 days:
- Rent receipt
- Bank statement
- Payroll stub
- Letter from a government agency
If you do not have any of these documents, please contact the enrollment team at 800-382-6010 to discuss acceptable alternatives.
Child’s Proof of Immunization
Child’s Proof of Immunization
Child’s Proof of Immunization
All Great River Connections Academy students must provide evidence of their immunizations on either a state of Ohio official immunization form, the Connections Academy Immunization form, an official school record, a healthcare provider or Health Department printout, or an immunization booklet with all doses stamped or signed. These forms must be stamped or signed by a healthcare provider.
Not Sure What Immunizations Are Required?
According to the Ohio Department of Health, the Immunization Program seeks to prevent 17 vaccine-preventable diseases with currently available vaccines.
For a complete list of required vaccines please visit the Immunization Summary for School Attendance in Ohio page of the Ohio Department of Health website.
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 this program:
- 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
A student may be exempt from immunizations for medical reasons, religious beliefs, or personal reasons. All exemptions require a signature and date. Letters must be submitted each year.
- Religious Exemption: According to the state of Ohio, "A pupil who presents a written statement of his parent or guardian in which the parent or guardian objects to the immunization for good cause, including religious convictions, is not required to be immunized."
- Personal Exemption: According to the state of Ohio, "A pupil who presents a written statement of his parent or guardian in which the parent or guardian objects to the immunization for good cause, including personal reasons, is not required to be immunized".
- Medical Exemption: According to the state of Ohio, "A child whose physician certifies in writing that immunization against any disease is medically contraindicated is not required to be immunized against that disease."
Prior Academic Records
Child’s Proof of Immunization
Prior Academic Records
Students across Ohio in grades K-12 are eligible to enroll in Great River Connections Academy. Those who have previously attended public school, private school, or homeschool will be asked to submit academic records for placement.
- 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 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 800-382-6010 to discuss acceptable alternatives.
Have Your Child(ren) Been Formerly Homeschooled?
- Prior Academic History Form
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 the Enrollment Portal.
Ohio Emergency Medical Authorization Form
Ohio Emergency Medical Authorization Form
Ohio Emergency Medical Authorization Form
Great River Connections Academy has a regulatory requirement to have parents complete an Emergency Medical Authorization Form. This form enables parents and guardians to authorize the provision of emergency treatment for children who become ill or injured while under school authority, when parents or guardians cannot be reached. 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:
- Custody order: If your legal guardianship is determined by a court order, please submit a copy of the order.
- State Test Scores: Students entering grade 4 are asked to submit a copy of their grade 3 Ohio State Test results, including reading and math.
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 1-800-382-6010.
Great River 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. ET