Arizona Connections Academy Students Kick Off the 2025-2026 School Year
Arizona Connections Academy, a full-time, tuition-free online public school serving students across the state, officially kicked off the 2025-26 academic year on July 30. Now in its 22nd year of serving Arizona families, the school currently serves approximately 2,000 students throughout the state since opening its virtual doors in 2003.
“We eagerly anticipate each new school year and are looking forward to all of the amazing students we get to work with and support,” said Heather Noto, Arizona Connections Academy’s School Leader. “Our students come to us for a variety of reasons, and I’m proud to say we’ve created a community where we empower students and equip them with the confidence they need to forge ahead, not only in their courses but in the world around them.”
Arizona Connections Academy Programs & Offerings:
Arizona Connections Academy provides a high-quality educational experience that keeps students motivated and engaged with a strong circle of support and a deep sense of belonging. The school’s team of supportive and experienced educators, specially trained in online instruction, establish meaningful connections with students helping them achieve their full potential and reach their goals. Parents and caregivers are involved in the learning journey as their child’s Learning Coach, serving as their mentor and guide through the school day.
Arizona Connections Academy Parent Satisfaction Survey:
Students are returning to school shortly after the release of the 2025 Parent Satisfaction Survey, an annual third-party survey that provides families with the opportunity to review their experience with Arizona Connections Academy. According to the 2025 Parent Satisfaction Survey results:
- 98% of parents agree the Arizona Connections Academy program gives them greater opportunity to be more involved with their child's education
- 98% of parents agree their child's teachers at Arizona Connections Academy are supportive
- 97% of parents say their child is satisfied learning at Arizona Connections Academy
- 95% of parents would recommend Arizona Connections Academy
Virtual school is a great fit for a variety of students, including those who are academically advanced or struggle in a traditional school setting, as well as those who may be experiencing health challenges, bullying, or living in rural areas. Others are athletes or performers who require a flexible learning schedule.
“It’s helped that I can create my own schedule, and I found I’ve become more independent at Arizona Connections Academy,” said AnnaMaria Delgado, a senior this year at the school. AnnaMaria most recently returned from Vanderbilt University’s Summer Academy, where she studied immunology. This opportunity allowed her to learn and collaborate with Vanderbilt University’s cancer research team. AnnaMaria has been on the path toward becoming a Pediatric Clinical Molecular Geneticist, after being inspired by her science courses. She fell in love with the subject and began taking college-level classes. With support from her Arizona Connections Academy school counselor, she applied to both Vanderbilt and Harvard’s summer academies and earned admission to both.
New for the 2025-26 academic year, Arizona Connections Academy will launch its expanded College and Early Career Readiness program for middle and high school students. The school will integrate traditional academic subjects with industry-leading, career-focused options like IT, business, health sciences and marketing. This new program will equip students with durable skills like leadership, critical thinking and teamwork. Students can participate in career exploration and industry networking opportunities to build confidence, make connections and find direction to prepare for their future.
In addition to academics, Arizona Connections Academy offers social opportunities throughout the year. There are in-person and virtual field trips, clubs and activities, and an in-person prom and graduation ceremony. Many students also find that the flexible schedule gives them the opportunity to play sports, pursue art, volunteer, or pursue other opportunities in their community.
Enrollment for the 2025-26 school year is still open. Families interested in learning if virtual school is the right fit for their child are encouraged to attend an upcoming online information session.
Survey Methodology
Connections Academy conducts the annual Parent Satisfaction Survey to find out how parents, guardians and Learning Coaches grade the program in several key areas. The 2024-2025 School Year survey was conducted from January 15 to February 26, 2025 by Shapiro + Raj, an independent market research company that created the questionnaire, collected the data and tabulated the results. Parents and caretakers of all students enrolled at the time of the survey were invited to complete the survey online.
About Arizona Connections Academy
Arizona Connections Academy is a unique, tuition-free, online public school for K-12 students. Every day, we create a high-quality educational experience that keeps students motivated and engaged in a safe, virtual learning environment. In addition to academics, teachers focus on building fundamental life skills, working closely with families to help students learn how they learn best. Here, students gain the skills and confidence they need to direct their own educational journey, learning to thrive in the real world by first learning how to be resourceful and resilient.