Eligibility Requirements for the 2020-21 School Year

In California, student eligibility requirements are determined by the state, which regulates all public schools including California Connections Academy. Before beginning the application process, please review the following eligibility requirements carefully to determine whether your student(s) is eligible to participate in grades K–12.

California Connections Academy schools are open to all students who meet the state's age and geographic restrictions for virtual charter schools. While we are required to collect documents that show that the age and residency requirements have been met, we do welcome students who have unusual circumstances, such as homeless and foster youth, immigrants, refugees, migrants, and students who are not U.S. citizens. Contact the school office for assistance if enrolling a student for whom standard documentation is not readily available due to this type of situation.

The virtual school setting can be a good educational fit for students in unusual circumstances. Explore the school website or contact the school's counseling department for more information on whether the virtual setting is right for your family.

Note: Students who are currently expelled from their local school or district may not be eligible for Connections Academy.

Age Limitations

  • Transitional Kindergarten: Any student enrolling in transitional kindergarten must be five (5) years old between September 2 and December 2 in the school year for which you are enrolling.
  • Kindergarten: Any student enrolling in kindergarten must be five (5) years old on or before September 1 in the school year for which you are enrolling.
  • First Grade: Any student enrolling in first grade must be six (6) years old on or before September 1 in the school year for which you are enrolling.
  • Maximum Age: Any student who turns nineteen (19) years old on or before the first day of school and has a break in public school enrollment will not be eligible to enroll in California Connections Academy. The maximum age for general education students with continuous enrollment is twenty (20) years old. The maximum age for special education students with continuous enrollment is twenty-two (22) years old.

Required Documents

A copy of one of the following documents must be provided for every student to verify age eligibility:

  • Official birth certificate
  • Passport (U.S. and other countries)
  • Certificate of live birth
  • Military ID or Driver’s License
  • Adoption record
  • Tribal affiliation card
  • Green card
  • Custody documentation
  • Medical records
  • School records from previous school

Geographical Limitations

You must reside in one of the following California counties and provide acceptable proof of residency to be eligible for Connections Academy.

Southern California (formerly Capistrano):

  • Los Angeles
  • Orange
  • Riverside
  • San Bernardino
  • San Diego

Central:

  • Fresno
  • Inyo
  • Kern
  • Kings
  • Tulare

Central Coast:

  • San Luis Obispo
  • Santa Barbara
  • Ventura

Monterey Bay:

  • Monterey
  • San Benito
  • San Mateo
  • Santa Clara
  • Santa Cruz

North Bay:

  • Colusa
  • Glenn
  • Lake
  • Mendocino
  • Napa
  • Sonoma
  • Yolo

Ripon:

  • Alameda
  • Amador
  • Calaveras
  • Contra Costa
  • Sacramento
  • San Joaquin
  • Stanislaus

Required Documents

A copy of one of the following documents must be provided to verify your legal residence. If you do not have any of these documents, please contact the enrollment team to discuss acceptable alternatives.

  • Gas, electric, water, sewage, cable, home phone, internet, or trash bill from the last 90 days that includes your name and address
  • Mortgage statement from the last 90 days or annual lease agreement
  • Property tax statement
  • Current voter registration card
  • Payroll stub from the last 90 days
  • Letter from a government agency from the last 90 days

Are State Immunizations Required?

Immunizations are not required to enroll in the California Connections Academy program because the school meets California’s criteria of an independent study program.

However, California Connections Academy schools are still required to collect immunization information from parents and report it to the state. Therefore, immunization records should be submitted for students once an offer of enrollment has been accepted and resubmitted upon entry into seventh grade.

Requesting Immunization Records

All immunization records must be submitted prior to confirming the student's intent to attend. If the records indicate that the student has not received all the state-required immunizations, the student will still be allowed to attend.

Public School Vaccination Requirements

Documentation of every received shot will assist California Connections Academy school staff in notifying families with unvaccinated students of exclusion from in-person activities in the event of a disease outbreak that may impact their student(s).

Required Documents

See the California school immunization requirements:

Prior Public Schooling Limitations

All students who have previously attended public school, private school, or homeschool are eligible.

Other Documentation

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.

Return to California Connections Academy enrollment instructions