Connect with a Connections Academy Parent

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.

Our daughter has a unique background. She was born in Russia, and we adopted her when she was six. She has had to learn to speak English and adapt to a totally new world.

We tried traditional schooling and then Montessori, but nothing really seemed to work. Homeschooling was next, and even that did not seem viable. We then found Connections Academy. Three years ago our daughter started in third grade (she has just entered sixth grade) and she loves it. She works at her own pace and really enjoys the "tech" part of schooling.

My wife works and I (our daughter's father) stay at home; I am her Learning Coach. My wife travels as part of her job, and we have often gone with her to the various cities she visits. We take along schoolbooks and a laptop computer, and as my wife works we sit in a hotel room somewhere doing schoolwork. It gives a whole new meaning to "Have computer, will travel."

Connections Academy has been the ideal way for our daughter to learn outside of the traditional school setting.

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.