Connect with a Connections Academy Parent

In August of 2008, after ten years of successfully homeschooling independently, I was faced with a difficult situation: for the first time, all six of my children were now officially school-aged. I was very stressed out and felt that I didn't have the resources to continue to homeschool them myself. So, I enrolled my four youngest children in our local public school. As each six-week grading period came and went, I evaluated our situation.

You might say that we were experiencing success in the public school system, except for the fact that the grades being brought home were almost too perfect. Although great for bragging purposes, I knew my children simply were not being challenged enough with their studies. At the same time, they were being bullied and teased for even being interested in academics. I was at a loss for what to do. I knew that I wanted more for my children, but didn’t know what to do about it.

Then in December of 2008, I learned about Connections Academy, and it seemed like the perfect solution. As I gave the matter more thought, I realized that for our situation, the increased accountability through state testing was a blessing, not a curse, and the thought of having state-certified teachers guiding my children through their studies was very appealing.

I withdrew my children from our local public school and enrolled my eligible student in Connections Academy. After eight months, I have to say that Connections Academy has exceeded all my expectations. The teachers are very professional and take a lot of time to get to know their students through phone calls, emails, and LiveLesson® sessions. To my delight, the curriculum is rigorous enough to challenge my student, but not so difficult that he is unable to complete the assignments. The teachers are able to help determine whether the academic work is at an appropriate level for the particular student and make changes accordingly. My student has learned a lot in the past eight months without having to put up with bullies, teasing or teachers unable to give him the attention he deserves because other students are misbehaving. He has made several Connections Academy friends that he is in contact with via email, and the opportunity is present for more social interaction in the future. I have been involved enough to feel that I know what is going on in his lessons, but the feeling of being spread too thin is completely gone. I can now enjoy the time spent with my other children who aren’t yet eligible to enroll in Connections Academy knowing that my son is receiving an excellent education right here under my own roof. He especially enjoys the multimedia presentations and technology used to present lessons, yet he also has access to excellent textbooks. Everything I could possibly desire for my child is here, without any of the drawbacks we experienced in a traditional classroom setting. I feel that Connections Academy is adequately preparing my student for more advanced studies. His ability to complete lessons and assignments has brought out his independence, and being required to handle participation in scheduled Live Lessons has increased his personal responsibility level.

For the 2009–10 academic year, another one of my children will be a student at Texas Connections Academy @ Houston, and I am looking forward to another successful year.

Since enrolling in TCAH, I feel as though a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I had been a homeschooling parent with four children since 1995 and have used various curricula. I always wondered if my children were getting the right thing at the right time. Now that my daughter is enrolled in TCAH, I am confident that she is getting a thorough public school curriculum, and yet it is customized to meet her strengths and weaknesses.

It was in early August of 2009 when I first learned about TCAH. We had already purchased a different curriculum. On the 13th of August we decided to change to TCAH. They were so helpful in expediting our materials and getting us started. I found you don’t have to be computer savvy, as the system is very user-friendly. Each student and parent is given an orientation of the guidelines and uses of the online school. The system is under very careful monitoring, and I have felt safe with my daughter’s using it.

These are some of my favorite things about the program:

1. The students have educated teachers available for any question or problem via email, phone, or through LiveLesson® sessions (a virtual live classroom).
2. The flexibility of the program. (Be sure to ask questions, as I was misinformed from an outside acquaintance.) Also, if you need to go out of town, you can take your laptop, or do schoolwork from wherever there is Internet access. Textbooks are online too, so no tagging along extra heavy books.
3. Diagnostic testing is given to each child to ensure the right curriculum for them.
4. Scheduled calls to the parent, from the homeroom teacher, to discuss any questions or concerns.
5. The curriculum also includes the TAKS testing. They provide you with the information on available testing centers near you and give dates of the tests for each grade. Also, appropriate preparation and practice are given.
6. They offer extra activities, clubs, and contests for all grades.

Lastly, I must say that thanks to this school, this has been our least stressful year learning at home. My daughter has largely expanded her learning skills due to the high level of educational help from qualified teachers. As the months have passed, I’ve only had more appreciation for the program, and I would highly recommend it! Thanks, TCAH, for offering us the best!

For several years, my daughter had asked to “school at home” primarily because of peer behavior and a lack of challenge to her creative abilities. Although she enjoyed her previous school’s extracurricular activities along with a pull-out gifted program, the public setting proved almost a daily challenge for her, socially and academically, and the transition to middle school was difficult.

I had received several forms of information about Connections Academy by mail and e-mail, so I ordered the program guide. As circumstances would have it, the guide arrived in the mail on a day when my daughter and I were together at home ill. I told her I had something for her to look through and handed it to her. She smiled—and within a very few minutes she simply said, “Yes.”

As a parent, I am thrilled to see my daughter’s enthusiasm for learning return! As she says, “It’s as if something blew up in front of me!” She acknowledges learning more than ever before and being exposed to information never before introduced. She has grown in responsibility for her own learning and spends a great deal of extra time on projects. The flexibility and freedom to explore, research, and simply think according to her interests, through the programming offered by Texas Connections Academy at Houston, has redefined what it means to “go to school” for her. Learning is fun and uninterrupted. I too enjoy learning with her and seeing her accomplishments firsthand. No longer am I, as a parent, on the outside looking into the educational process. I have the opportunity to participate. Most of all, I am grateful to see my daughter achieving according to her learning needs.

My first experience with Connections Academy was in Florida when my twin girls were entering kindergarten. I had searched for a program that offered accountability, which would ensure my children’s getting the best possible home-based education. When I enrolled them, my children finished kindergarten by December and then were promptly sent the first-grade curriculum, which we started in January. I was so impressed with Connections Academy because they looked at each child as an individual.

When we moved to Texas, I was very sad that we could not continue with Connections Academy but was encouraged that “it was in the works.” The girls completed second grade at home, and in December of 2008 I found out that it was here! I decided to finish out second grade instead of rushing them into third. We then enrolled for the 2009-10 school year.

I must say I love Texas Connections Academy at Houston! The girls’ teacher is so nice and very flexible. I was given options and choices that I may not have had in the public school system. The principal—with whom I’ve also spoken—is so kind.

Many concerns about schooling at home include the socialization aspect. I feel that my children have many opportunities to interact with kids their own age, but also with older ones. Connections Academy has field trips that can be put together so that your kids can meet other students through their area coordinator. I try to take advantage of these to keep my kids involved in the school. It is a wonderful provision provided by CA. It is my intention to continue using Connections Academy throughout my children’s education. I’ve met so many parents who want to homeschool and have struggled due to various reasons, such as no accountability, scheduling, or curriculum. Connections Academy covers ALL the bases for you so you can spend more quality time with your children.