Connect with a Connections Academy Parent

When our family stepped into the world of virtual schooling with Connections Academy, it was unknown territory to all of us. I had been home schooling my children but needed more direction and support after 3rd grade. Since enrolling in 2006, we have had very positive results, and we feel like pioneers in the way education is headed.

Connections Academy gives us freedom in how we learn. We love being able to ‘do school’ next to the wood stove or even on our beds after lunch. On sunny days we work outside. We have taken several field trips to museums and other institutions because they fit into our schooling. The field trips with other ORCA students have been a great experience and fun social gathering. We learn together in our family and are fully supported by our amazing teacher who embraces our education process as much as we do and always treats us as individuals.

This is a challenging academy, yet I always feel like we have someone standing in the wings to make certain we are successful on all levels. This support has made the boys more independent learners and given them wings to succeed in life. We feel online education provides our family accountability and the satisfaction of knowing our children are well educated and prepared for what they will need to conquer in the world. It is not an easy school, but the product of the work is well worth the combined effort of student, learning coach, and teacher. My children and family have benefited from this custom fit learning style.

With Connections Academy we're helping our sons develop their learning skills in an environment we feel more closely reflects the real world as well as the future of education in general. As our children go through life they will not be defined by the school they attended, but they will be judged by how well prepared they are to move into the life of an adult. Connections Academy provides the balance of a nurturing, one-on-one environment and the tools our children will need to possess for their success in the future.

We have been with Connections Academy in Oregon since its inception (2005). With two children in the Connections Academy program, we have experienced kindergarten, first, fourth, fifth, and sixth grades. We chose Connections Academy because of its challenging and well thought-out curriculum.

After several years in bricks-and-mortar schools, we decided that we could do it at home and travel to experience the curriculum and history firsthand. As we travel during the school year to beat the summer crowds, we pack our books and take them with us. We studied U.S. history by visiting Washington, D.C. and the surrounding areas. We explored the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail while studying the history of our beautiful state. This flexibility is wonderful and allows us to reinforce the curriculum that Connections has developed.

It is a large commitment for the Learning Coaches, and it is probably the hardest thing that we have ever done. The reading and writing courses are challenging in Connections Academy, but the rewards of seeing a child learn to read or excel at writing is beyond words.

We love the flexibility of the Connections Academy program. We can work ahead or just take something that is more difficult at a slower rate. If a math concept is too difficult, there are always an adequate number of problems for your student to use for review. If your student is grasping the concepts quickly, you can work ahead and even advance to the next grade level.

If we are stumped on a concept or we just need some encouragement, the teachers and administration at Connections Academy are always there for us. They build wonderful relationships with students and make the program really work. You never feel alone or isolated when you are hit with a tough situation.

Connections Academy requires all students to complete state testing, just like the bricks-and-mortar schools. This testing allows us to see where our students are in relationship to others in the education system. This testing has proven that the curriculum is challenging and rigorous enough for our students to excel at all levels.

We recommend Connections Academy to our friends, and several friends have joined the program. We are grateful for the alternative that Connections has given us.

I was homeschooled when I was a child, so I really wanted my children to have the same option.

I was very nervous about trying this on my own, not knowing if I was giving them the proper education. I was so pleased when I found Connections Academy. They offered everything I was looking for: structure, organization, and excellent curriculum.

All of the teachers are so helpful and knowledgeable, and my children love their school. I am very grateful for this program; just knowing that my children are getting a good education in the safety of my own home gives me peace of mind. I recommend this school to any parent that feels the same way.

Connections Academy is top-notch schooling and a perfect fit for our family. This is our third year with Connections Academy, and we really love the program. I started teaching my children at a very young age and thought I was doing okay on my own, but I realized I needed more. We enrolled our first daughter in Connections Academy in kindergarten, and I was very impressed with the curriculum. We were provided with all of the books, lesson plans, and even some necessary school supplies. The next year we even qualified to have a complete computer setup provided. The support of the teachers and staff is wonderful. You are never on your own, and it is the most rewarding experience to be a major part of your children’s education and see them grow in their abilities.

When we first enrolled our daughter she was not reading at all, but within two or three months she was reading well. Now as a second-grader she is a very strong reader and is devouring books! This year we enrolled our second daughter in kindergarten and, despite its being challenging at times with two sets of curriculum, we have had awesome support from the teachers—and our girls are thriving in every subject. They get excited about learning, and we have a great time. We really love the variety of the curriculum, which includes not only the core subjects but also music, art, and activities. Everything in the curriculum is really top-quality and can be tailored to your child’s needs. The flexibility of the schedule is wonderful too, because every family has different circumstances and, perhaps, challenges—and you can make it work for your family. I have some health challenges, and the flexibility of the schedule is a perfect fit for us. Enrolling our children in Connections Academy is the best choice we have made for them, and we highly recommend it for other families