Curious about online school but unsure what it is truly like? Join us to discover how online learning works, the benefits it offers your child, and what your family can expect from the online school experience.
FAQs
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Indiana Connections Academy is a tuition-free online public school for grades K‒12. Designed to give students the skills, confidence, and flexibility necessary to become confident learners, Connections Academy keep students motivated and engaged by offering a strong circle of support that includes their peers, families, and talented educators. Learn how to enroll.
Families choose Indiana Connections Academy because they trust us to give their children a unique, rigorous school experience where they can learn, grow, and make valuable and long-lasting connections.
Indiana Connections Academy provides a complete, full-time education for children—one that includes all the core courses, electives, and social opportunities K‒12 students need. Our qualified and passionate teachers, who specialize in online learning, work directly with parents and students to set individual goals and ensure that students thrive. Indiana Connections Academy prepares children for a bright future—whether that includes college, technical training, or career readiness.
Indiana Connections Academy is committed to providing a high-quality education that meets state requirements for grade level standards. Using our accessible technology, we connect parents, teachers, and students from home or anywhere with an internet connection. Here, students benefit from a flexible learning schedule that allows them to learn how they learn best, while staying accountable and on track. Parents are also able to control their student’s learning environment, ensuring a safe and stimulating atmosphere.
We proudly serve students throughout the entire state of Indiana, including those who reside in Marion County, Allen County, Porter County, and more. While students primarily learn and connect with one another online, we also offer in-person activities, such as optional field trips and important milestones like prom and graduation ceremony.
While students enrolled at Indiana Connections Academy complete their schoolwork at home, we are not a homeschool program. We are a public virtual charter school. Our students are required to complete the same requirements as a traditional brick and mortar schools, including state-required assessments such as IREAD, ILEARN, and SAT, which they are required to complete in person.
- First-Class Curriculum: Our program features curriculum developed by leading educational publishers. Connections Academy families receive a combination of textbooks*, online textbooks, workbooks, comprehensive lesson plans, and exciting enrichment courses.
- Exceptional Teaching: Indiana Connections Academy’s licensed teachers provide weekly class live instruction for students to demonstrate their learning and master content standards. In addition, teachers are available for one-on-one support as needed or small group instruction for students who need extra support.
- Technology: Families have 24-hour access to our learning management system, where our curriculum and secure communication tools are embedded to protect your student. In addition, our school provides students with a Chromebook for those who need a computer.
* Availability of print textbooks varies by grade and course.
We proudly welcome students who wish to join us mid-year. Please visit the enrollment page for more information.
Connections Academy is always looking for hardworking and dedicated individuals to join the team. Please review the current openings to see if a position is available near you. Connections Academy is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Indiana Connections Academy operates on a traditional school calendar with a fall and spring semester. We have scheduled fall break, winter break and spring break, similar to those held in brick-and-mortar schools. Please see our School Calendar for academic start and end dates.
Per Indiana DOE guidelines, all high school transcript requests are processed through Parchment.
Tuition & Cost
Our online public school program is tuition-free and includes all necessary books and curriculum. Families are only responsible for maintaining a reliable internet connection as well as for covering the cost of additional school supplies and optional in-person field trips.
No, there are no hidden fees. Just like your local brick-and-mortar public school, Connections Academy schools are publicly funded and tuition free. Please explore our Costs page to learn more about any expenses your family may need to cover, which may include optional field trips and school supplies.
No. All required books and instructional materials for courses are provided to students. The majority of texts are provided online, though some texts may be available in print form.
Curriculum
Indiana Connections Academy offers both core and elective courses, as well as a College and Career Readiness offering. Our proven curriculum incorporates materials developed by leading educational institutions, as well as lessons and other resources developed by curriculum specialists. The curriculum at Indiana Connections Academy is aligned to Indiana state standards.
Indiana Connections Academy offers core courses in language arts/English, mathematics, science, and social studies. The curriculum also includes art, physical education, home life, world languages, technology literacy, music (K-8 only), and College and Career Readiness courses. We also offer gifted and talented and honors courses to students who qualify.
Indiana Connections Academy has a full-service special education department, including licensed special education teachers who provide services to students with IEPs. Visit the Special Education page to learn more about accommodations for students.
Lessons are customized to meet the state requirements for essential standards that students need to master to move on to the next grade level. Teachers provide additional resources that may include mini recordings, supplemental resource pages, or guided notes to help students master challenging concepts. Live instruction is customized to ensure students master critical concepts.
Indiana Connections Academy students are required to complete 25 hours of schoolwork for grades K-6 or 30 hours of schoolwork for grades 7-12 each week. We do not allow students to enroll part-time. Our online learning model gives students a higher level of flexibility to decide where and when works best for them. Students participate in regularly-scheduled LiveLesson® sessions which are teacher-led and offer the opportunity for students to connect and learn with their peers. Check out some examples of sample schedules.
Connections Education is accredited by Cognia, an organization representing 34,000 public and private schools and districts across the United States and in 70 countries worldwide. Indiana Connections Academy is accredited by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC), and the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), which are accrediting divisions of Cognia.
Our curriculum is designed by experienced leaders in online learning, meets national and individual state standards, and has earned numerous awards from national organizations for educational content and learning technology. In addition, parents consistently rate the curriculum as high quality in our annual Parent Satisfaction Survey.
Enrollment
Visit the enrollment page to begin! We’ve made the enrollment process as simple as possible, but it does take some time to complete, so we recommend getting started before the semester begins.
Indiana Connections Academy’s Academic Placement Services team uses academic records to place students in grades K-8 in courses that are the best fit for them. Our licensed counseling team reviews transcripts and graduation plans to place high school students in courses aligned with their unique goals.
We recommend a maximum ratio of 4:1 (four children to one Learning Coach). An additional adult serving as Learning Coach is recommended for more than four students in a household. If the second Learning CoachisCoach is not a parent or legal guardian, a Designated Learning Coach Agreement must be completed by both the parent/legal guardian and the designated Learning Coach.
Check the enrollment page to find requirements for:
- Student age, including acceptable proof of age documents
- Any geographical restrictions and acceptable proof of residency documents
- Immunization requirements and acceptable documentation
- Prior public schooling limitations
- Any other supporting documentation
Students who are 18 or over must meet age eligibility requirements in their state. Students must also submit academic documentation of all courses attempted since entering the 9th grade. Academic documentation will be reviewed by a school counselor to determine the student's eligibility to complete the program requirements before reaching the age cap for enrollment. Students who cannot complete the program requirements before reaching the age cap for enrollment are unfortunately unable to enroll.
Both emancipated minors and students 18 years and older are required to complete the Parent/Legal Guardian (Caretaker) Acknowledgement (PLCA) form and to provide all required enrollment documentation before they can enroll. Emancipated minors must also submit court documentation for their emancipation. Please contact the Enrollment Team at 1-833-591-0251 for more information.
The term "Learning Coach" is used to represent the role that the enrolling parent/guardian plays in the student’s educational experience. The enrolling parent/guardian chooses to serve as the "Learning Coach" which may include working closely with the teacher to ensure assignments are completed, schedules are met, and students are engaged and motivated. The parent/guardian may designate another trusted adult to act as a Learning Coach by completing the Designated Learning Coach online form.
Students are required to log in daily to complete their schoolwork. You will have access to Pearson Online Classroom, our education management system, at any time of the day, including weekends and holiday breaks to make up for any missed work from scheduled school days.
Communication is the most important element in succeeding with online learning. If you or your student experience any problems along the way, contact us immediately. We offer a high level of support to our students and families, including enrollment help, computer/technical support, academic assistance, and school counselor support. Find more information on our Contact Us page.
Because we serve students from multiple districts, rather than just one, our enrollment process can seem a bit more complicated. We’ve simplified it as much as possible and are here to support you every step of the way.
Connections Academy schools operate like any other public school. Therefore, our schools must comply with the same state regulations. Specific documents are required for all enrolling students.
During the enrollment process, submission of academic documentation such as a report card, unofficial transcript, schedule, or current progress report, helps to ensure that your student has an accurate and appropriate course placement to start with Connections Academy.
As a parent/legal guardian, you may request copies of the student's most recent report card or unofficial transcript, IEP documentation, birth certificate, and immunization record from their file. DO NOT withdraw from your current school or request a complete copy of the student's cumulative file prior to completing the enrollment process, as this information will be requested from the student’s previous school upon completion of the enrollment process.
Every family works at a different pace, depending on a variety of factors. The sooner you complete online enrollment forms and submit the required documents, the sooner your student will be enrolled. It typically takes two weeks or more to complete the entire enrollment process.
TIP: Log in to your caretaker homepage daily to review the student’s enrollment status and the verification of documents you submit.
Our process is streamlined to minimize any inconvenience to you while still meeting state regulations. Refer to the Enrollment Instructions document for some tips to help you keep the process moving.
After submitting your documents, you can navigate to the “Submit Documents” section located in the Enrollment Details. There, you can see if your documents have been verified or are still waiting to be processed. If your file was marked invalid, the document will be removed so you can upload a new document. If you are unable to verify the status of your documents or have any questions, please call 1-833-591-0251 and contact the Enrollment Team using the document submission option in our phone system. We will check the system to see if the document has been received. Please be prepared to provide us with the following information: student’s name, number of pages sent, the date sent, and if sent by fax, the fax number.
After you have confirmed your student's enrollment with Connections Academy, you should withdraw your child from your previous/local school immediately—preferably the same day. Delaying withdrawal could result in confusion, extra documentation, or cancellation of enrollment.
Do not withdraw your student before confirming your student’s enrollment, as this may result in additional documentation being required (e.g. report card). Delays in submitting these documents could result in delays starting school.
You can change your information by logging into Pearson Online Classroom. On your caretaker homepage, click on the "Change Contact Information" link. You can also notify the student’s teacher, who can submit the change for you.
To update a parent or student name, Connections Academy will need a copy of the legal name change documentation such as an amended birth certificate, marriage certificate, or court order. Please submit this documentation to the Enrollment Department. For other inquiries, you may reach out to your student's teacher, school counselor, or principal once they are enrolled.
Socialization
Every year, we ask Connections Academy families to rate our program. This year, once again, parents who completed online school reviews gave us high marks for helping students succeed academically and personally. See the results of the latest Parent Satisfaction Survey.
Just like in a brick-and-mortar school, some of the most successful students have parents who take an active role in their education. We recommend that a parent or other trusted adult serve as a Learning Coach to support the student’s learning. Support will look different depending on your student’s age and ability to learn independently, but may include providing daily structure, communicating with teachers, and helping students stay on track.
Throughout a student’s education, Connections Academy teachers take the lead in ensuring student success. When first getting started, the Connections Academy Family Support Program provides ample resources to help families become acquainted with the online learning structure. Learn more about the responsibilities of a Learning Coach.
Yes. We understand one of the most important aspects of any education, whether completed in person or virtually, is creating a strong circle of support and connection. We offer plenty of opportunities for our students and families to connect, including regional field trips, special events, and connection events with other families in your area. Our internal email system allows you to communicate with other students or parents from Indiana Connections Academy.
Connections Academy knows that for students to achieve at the highest levels, they need not only a great academic program, but also the freedom to learn in a safe and comfortable setting. Parents and Learning Coaches also play a key role in creating this environment to ensure their child’s well-being. Below are some of the most important resources Connections Academy provides to ensure that students are safe and focused on learning:
Throughout a student’s education, Connections Academy teachers take the lead in ensuring student success. When first getting started, the Connections Academy Family Support Program provides ample resources to help families become acquainted with the online learning structure. Learn more about the responsibilities of a Learning Coach.
- All Connections Academy–provided computers are equipped with heightened Internet security settings and Internet filtering software that can be activated upon request by calling the Technical Support line at 1-800-382-6010. If you are using your own computer, Technical Support can help you configure Internet security settings and find additional Internet filtering software.
- We provide an Internet safety course for students, parents, and Learning Coaches. The course contains valuable information about practicing safe behaviors online. This course is also required training for all Connections Academy school staff.
- Staff trainings regarding student safety are a critical part of the Connections Academy professional development plan. The Connections Academy course Students in Distress: Recognizing and Responding is designed to help teachers and other school staff become familiar with the signs of distress, such as from bullying/cyberbullying, neglect and abuse, or depression, or other problems that would keep students from doing their best. The course also teaches them how to respond promptly and professionally.
- Regular required contact between teachers and students helps teachers get to know each student individually. Educators who know their students are better able to note behaviors or attitudes that may indicate problems.
- Connections Academy strictly prohibits any form of bullying/cyberbullying, harassment, hazing, or other destructive actions that may cause emotional and/or physical harm to students. School policies regarding these prohibited behaviors are documented in the School Handbook: General Portion and the state-specific School Handbook Supplement.
- Each Connections Academy course contains a summary of web links so parents and Learning Coaches can quickly and easily note any links that they may not wish to have their student access.
Technology Requirements
Students spend much of the school day attending live instruction and completing schoolwork online. Younger students spend more time in live instruction with their teachers, while upper grades spend more time independently working through the virtual curriculum.
Students and Learning Coaches do not need advanced computer skills to attend Connections Academy. Through our Learning Coach Success series, parents can attend a variety of sessions on subjects about anything from becoming acquainted with technology, to where to find resources in Pearson Online Classroom, our education management system. We also provide a technology literacy program that helps students gain additional skills.
There are some specific software requirements necessary to use Pearson Online Classroom, our online education management system. Please refer to the Technology Support page for complete details.
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Curious about online school but unsure what it is truly like? Join us to discover how online learning works, the benefits it offers your child, and what your family can expect from the online school experience.