California Connections Academy News

  • January 14, 2023 – California Connections Academy teacher Amber Cambria featured in the Los Angeles Times Daily Pilot for her part in starting the Butterfly Book Project, where people can get free books for children and teens locally.

  • October 26, 2022 – California Connections Academy (CalCA) student Neil Nayyar is featured as a world record-breaking teen musician on The Jennifer Hudson Show.

  • September 26, 2022 – CalCA graduate Cole Daniel Hills to screen his short film at the 15th annual Eerie Horror Fest. Learn more on GoErie.com.

  • September 23, 2022 – 16-year-old CalCA student Neil Nayyar featured on Good Morning America for his ability to play 117 instruments from around the world.

  • September 9, 2022 – California Connections Academy (CalCA) Welcomes New and Returning Students for 2022-23 School Year. Learn more in the Ledger Dispatch.

  • August 6, 2022 – CalCA student Emily Deming and budding tennis star looks to win nationals with her sister at her side. Learn more about her story in The San Diego Union-Tribune.

  • July 17, 2022 – Two California Connections Academy graduates from Kings County are featured in The Leader.

  • July 13, 2022 – CalCA students Conall Hutcheson and Emma Mahler are highlighted for graduating from high school. Learn more in the Morgan Hill Times.

  • July 9, 2022 – CalCA seniors Kayla Cortes, Doe Barnett and Raquel Conway are celebrated in the San Mateo Daily Journal for graduating from high school.

  • July 8, 2022 – CalCA graduates Jozef Borges, Rania Mohamed and Taliyah Mosley get special senior shoutout in the Tracy Press.

  • June 21, 2022 – CalCA student Neil Nayyar is selected for the prestigious GRAMMY Camp program. Learn more on Grammy.com.

  • June 9, 2022 – “So when I don’t have the best skates, I feel like I let myself down. I feel like I let my family down. I feel like I let my coaches down. I feel like I failed as a student, I failed as an athlete, I failed as a daughter. And that’s something that I’m still working on — to learn to differentiate my self-worth and identity [from] my success as an athlete," says CalCA graduate Karen Chen in a Figure Skaters Online article that features her Emotional Fitness Talk.

  • June 7, 2022 – CalCA graduate Karen Chen's local paper, Tri-City Voice, covers her bravely talking about youth mental health (story on page 8).

  • May 25, 2022 – California Connections Academy graduate Karen Chen discusses her mental health journey in the world of competitive figure skating and encourages readers to attend her emotional fitness talk in this People Magazine feature.

  • May 3, 2022 – CalCA students Olivia and Kenneth were honored in a proclamation ceremony by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors for their Optimistic Coloring Book Series and international gifting program. Learn more in the Del Mar Times.

  • April 9, 2022 – CalCA graduate and Olympian Alysa Liu announces retirement from skating. Learn more in The Press Democrat.

  • September 4, 2021 – CalCA Executive Director Richard Savage and parent Elida Rincon are quoted in a Bakersfield Californian story about how another year of uncertainty is causing many families to consider full-time online school.

  • July 10, 2021 – Ten local graduates were featured in the Tracy Press, which covered CalCA’s 2020-21 graduation.
  •  July 7, 2021 – California Connections Academy sophomore, Kiara Romero, recently won the 42nd American Junior Golf Association’s Polo Golf Junior Classic and is featured in California Golf News
  • May 21, 2021 – Ahead of his World Games competition for acrobatic gymnastics in Switzerland, CalCA student Jaylen Ivey discusses how the flexibility of California Connections Academy enabled him to balance his rigorous training, competitions, and schoolwork. Read more on pages 4 and 18 of the Evergreen Times.
  •  February 22, 2021 – CalCA listed on Top 50 list of Best Online High Schools based on Niche rankings pulled together by HeyTutor. Read more on MSN.com
  •  August 31, 2020 – CalCA graduate Kylee Lou says she is ready for her freshman year of college because she attended a virtual school. Learn more in this Daily Nexus article.
  •  July 21, 2020 – CalCA moms Bionca Smith and Faith Alpher talk about why virtual school works for them and their unique schedules in USA Today Back to School Magazine article. (Story begins on page 74)
  •  July 10, 2020 – CalCA teacher Melissa Laurenson gives her tips on how to make students excited for going back to school in this Parents.com article.
  • June 10, 2020 – CalCA Executive Director Richard Savage and math teacher Siegfried Elizondo discuss how online school helps facilitate learning in this Santa Maria Sun article.
  •  March 13, 2020 – California Connections Academy student J.J. Lybbert to compete in annual Spotlight program at The Music center, reports Laguna Beach Independent
  • December 24, 2019 – California Connections Academy family Bionca Smith and her son Carter share their experience with online school and traveling the world on the Tamron Hall Show
  • November 28, 2019 – California Connections Academy junior Rea Smith gives early verbal commitment to swim for The United States Military Academy at West Point, reports Swimming World
  • November 15, 2019 – California Connections Academy Ripon senior Stefan Leustian has signed a National Letter of Intent with UCLA tennis in UCLA Bruins
  • October 18, 2019 – California Connections Academy parent Bionca Smith shares her experience with bullying and explains the mission behind her and her son's non-profit organization, Bully Barricade Foundation, to Mother Magazine
  • September 26, 2019 – California Connections Academy North Bay family shares their online learning experience: "All of Tori's teachers have gone above and beyond to make sure she understands the assignments" in Sonoma County Gazette
  • September 26, 2019 – "I enrolled my kid in an online public school Connections Academy, got rid of all our things, and now we have the freedom to explore, travel the world, and grow like we never could before." Hear more from Learning Coach Bionca Smith on her #VanLife in Parade
  • September 13, 2019 – California Connections Academy Ripon student Neil Nayyar can play more than 100 instruments, and he isn't stopping there, as reported in the Elk Grove Citizen
  • September 5, 2019 – "It works because it fulfills a need," California Connections Academy Central teacher Zig Elizondo explains why the online program works and why students enroll to Bakersfield.com
  • August 1, 2019 – California Connections Academy Ripon Learning Coach Bionca Smith shares her experience living the #vanlife with her son Carter in BUST magazine
  • June 21, 2019 – CalCA Southern California student Lawee Sherif makes it to semifinal round at USTA Southern California Junior Sectional Championships, reports the Los Angeles Times
  • May 15, 2019 – California Connections Academy Central seniors and avid volunteers Kayla and Sarah Randolph get ready for their next adventure--attending the University of Arizona! Learn more in the Porterville Recorder
  • April 18, 2019 – California Connections Academy Ripon teacher Kristin Cable discusses what its like teaching in the online environment and how she can connect with students one-on-one in the Calaveras Enterprise
  • April 18, 2019 – California Connections Academy Ripon Learning Coach Bionca Smith is taking her son's online school on the road! Learn more about the family's #vanlife in Good Housekeeping and Car and Driver magazines
  • March 28, 2019 – California Connections Academy Southern California student Samir Mallya discusses his figure skating journey—from new staker to national qualifier—in this Culver City News profile
  • February 28, 2019 – California Connections Academy Central families enjoy a field trip to the Carnegie Museum! Hear from teacher Teresa Chacon and Learning Coach Andrea Kemp in the Hanford Sentinel
  • February 14, 2019 — California Connections Academy @ Capistrano families enjoy a field trip to Oceanside Art Museum. Learn more from teacher Regina Stehney in the Oside News
  • February 1, 2019 — California Connections Academy @ Capistrano student Charlotte Sabina uses the flexibility of virtual school to balance her surfing, singing and acting passions! Hear from the accomplished teen in LA Parent
  • January 24, 2019 — California Connections Academy @ Capistrano student Nolan Rodgers receives the NSSA 2018 Surfer Scholar award! Learn more about the competitive surfer in the San Clemente Times

  • January 2019 — California Connections Academy @ Ripon student Angela Lan is 'sewing' her own future! The teen discusses her experience with online school and her journey to a published author and fashion designer in the Bay Area Parent (pg 3)
  • January 4, 2019 — California Connections Academy @ Ripon student Zoe Deibel and her mom discuss the family's medical journey, enrolling in online school in this Sacramento Parent piece—"Girl Given 1% Chance to Live is Now Ready to Graduate"
  • January 3, 2019 — California Connections Academy @ Capistrano student Ella Ales needed a change—a way to balance her education with her ice skating career—when the family enrolled in online school! Learn more about her experience in the Los Angeles Times
  • December 4, 2018 – California Connections Academy @ Central is a great education option for the Randolph twins! Seniors Kayla and Sarah and mom Marsha discuss their experience in the Porterville Recorder
  • September 18, 2018 — California Connections Academy @ North Bay welcomes Sonoma, Glen Ellen students back-to-school. Learn more in the Sonoma News
  • September 11, 2018 — California Connections Academy at North Bay students head back to school. Learn more in the Daily Democrat
  • September 5, 2018 — California Connections Academy @ Central Students “Take Seats” in Virtual Classroom. Learn more in the Mojave Desert News and Lake County News
  • August 23, 2018 — California Connections Academy @ Ripon families meet during back-to-school party. Learn more in the Manteca Bulletin
  • July 24, 2018 — California Connection Academy honors Hannah Hurley as Educator of the Year, student Tatum Osborne named Ripon’s Youth Citizen of the Year. Learn more in the Manteca Bulletin
  • July 13, 2018 — California Connections Academy @ Ripon graduates Manteca, Ripon-area students. Learn more in the Manteca Bulletin
  • July 3, 2018 — California Connections Academy @ North Bay graduate Noah Faber used the flexibility of online school to balance education with a list of ag activities! He's headed to UC Davis. Learn mroe in the Davis Enterprise
  • June 26, 2018 — California Connections Academy mom Bionca Smith discusses how virtual school enables her son to join her as they travel the country, live the #vanlife. Learn more in the Hello Giggles
  • June 23, 2018 — California Connections Academy @ North Bay graduates 24 students. Learn more in the Napa Valley Register
  • June 21, 2018 — California Connections Academy @ Ripon celebrates the Class of 2018, including graduates Gadai Bulgac, Tatum Osborne, Alexandria YaoCalifornia Connections Academy @ Ripon celebrates the Class of 2018, including graduates Gadai Bulgac, Tatum Osborne, Alexandria Yao. Learn more in the Antioch Herald
  • June 16, 2018 — California Connections Academy @ North Bay graduate Madeline Eger discusses her online education journey and future plans. Learn more in the Petaluma Argus Courier
  • May 16, 2018 — California Connections Academy @ Capistrano student Billy Givens-Jensen commits to Seattle University men’s tennis team. Learn more about this student athlete in the Go Seattle
  • April 20, 2018 — California Connections Academy @ Capistrano alumna Auburn Schmidt earns her Girl Scout Gold award for work around PTSD resource awareness. Learn more in the KOLD-TV
  • April 13, 2018 — California Connections Academy @ Capistrano alumna Mirai Nagasu to compete on Dancing with the Stars: Athletes show. Learn more in the WOTV
  • April 13, 2018 — California Connections Academy @ Capistrano student Annika Bullock uses the flexibility of online school to advance her roller-skating career. Learn more in the Victorville Daily Press
  • April 12, 2018 — California Connections Academy @ Ripon student Apoorva Panidapu to compete on NBC show “Genius Junior”. Learn more in the India West
  • March 31, 2018 — California Connections Academy @ Ripon enabled student Delaney Bagneschi to work at her own advanced pace! Learn more about the program in the Ledger Dispatch
  • March 28, 2018 — California Connections Academy @ Capistrano alumna Malia Kaleiohi signs with San Diego State University's women's soccer team. Learn more in the Go Aztecs
  • March 22, 2018 — California Connections Academy @ Capistrano alumnus Colin Apel earns dean's award at Colgate University. Learn more in the Crescent Valley Weekly
  • March 8, 2018 — California Connections Academy @ Capistrano student Storm Reid discusses her experience starring in The Wrinkle in Time. Learn more in the AOL Build
  • March 8, 2018 — California Connections Academy @ Capistrano student Paul Wittkop won gold at International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation tournament. Learn more in The Indy
  • March 1, 2018 — California Connections Academy @ Ripon student Jasmine Johnson discusses her positive experience with switching to the online school in the Mountain House Matters (Pages 10-11)
  • February 19, 2018 — California Connections Academy alum Nathan Chen is included in a roundup of Salt Lake City-trained Olympians. Learn more in the Standard Examiner
  • February 16, 2018 — California Connections Academy alum Vincent Zhou was able to take advanced classes while training for the Olympics! Learn more in this TIME profile piece
  • February 11, 2018 — California Connections Academy alumna Mirai Nagasu makes history, the first American woman to land a triple axel at the Winter Olympics! Learn more in Hello Giggles
  • February 9, 2018 — California Connections Academy @ Ripon graduate and 2018 Olympic figure skater Karen Chen is profiled. Learn more in Heavy.com
  • February 6, 2018 — California Connections Academy grad Nathan Chen included in "Top five American stars to break out in 2018 Winter Olympic Games". Learn more in Yahoo Sports(opens in a new tab)
  • February 5, 2018 — California Connections Academy Learning Coach Bionca Smith reflects on her decision to enroll her son in online school and travel the world together. Learn more in She Explores
  • February 4, 2018 — California Connections Academy alum and Winter Olympic figure skater Mirai Nagasu is profiled by the OC Register
  • January 26, 2018 — California Connections Academy @ Ripon student Tatum Osborne explains a day-in-the-life of an online school student, her passion advocating against sexual assault and educating teens. Learn more on KCAT-TV
  • January 22, 2018— Get to Know Team USA's Youngest Olympic Figure Skater, Vincent Zhou in PopSugar
  • January 7, 2018 — Former California Connections Academy @ Capistrano student Vincent Zhou is headed to 2018 Olympics, part of U.S. men's singles figure skating team! Learn more about Vincent in the Mountain View Voice(opens in a new tab)
  • January 5, 2018 — California Connections Academy @ Capistrano student Israel Ruiz is thriving in the online school! The family discusses how Israel can now balance medical appointments for his heart defect, passion for automotives, and more. Learn more in the Hi-Desert Star

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