Kansas Connections Academy Kicks Off The 2025-2026 Virtual School Year
On August 21st, 2025, Kansas Connections Academy, a tuition-free online public school, kicked off its 2025-26 school year, celebrating 16 years of serving K-12 students across the state. New students began their classes online today, while returning students are set to log on Friday, August 22.
Expected to serve approximately 1,250 students and families this school year, Kansas Connections Academy provides a high-quality educational experience designed to help students learn how they learn best, with a strong circle of support and a deep sense of belonging. The tuition-free online public school offers a comprehensive school experience, providing access to advanced courses, extracurricular activities and flexible scheduling that helps students to take ownership of their own unique educational journey.
“Since 2017 when I joined Kansas Connections Academy, it has brought me so much joy to see each new year of students succeed and celebrate the wins together, both big and small,” said Laura Hochman, the school leader of Kansas Connections Academy. “This year I’m excited to step into the role of school leader to continue the legacy of preparing students for a bright future and providing the tools they need for success.”
Kansas Connections Academy Programs & Offerings:
Kansas Connections Academy provides a high-quality educational experience where students have regular opportunities to share ideas, compare experiences, and have fun learning with their peers through online classroom sessions. 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.
Kansas 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 at Kansas Connections Academy. According to the survey results:
- 99% of parents feel their children are making progress on their academic goals with Connections Academy
- 98% of parents say their child is satisfied learning at Kansas Connections Academy
- 98% of parents agree their child’s teachers at Kansas Connections Academy are supportive.
- 97% of parents say the program gives them greater opportunity to be more involved with their child's education.
- 97% of parents feel their children are making progress on their career goals with Kansas Connections Academy
Kansas Connections Academy combines traditional courses with industry-leading, career-focused options and real-world interactions to help students gain confidence, develop the right skills and earn industry credentials coveted by employers. Through the school’s College and Career Readiness offering, middle and high school students can hone essential skills like critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and leadership and have access to partnerships like Coursera, Credly and The Home Depot to help them pursue their passions and prepare for their future.
Enrollment for the 2025-26 school year is still open and families interested in learning more about the Kansas Connections Academy’s flexible virtual learning approach are encouraged to attend an online information session to learn more, ask questions and discover if virtual school is the right fit for their student.
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 Kansas Connections Academy
Kansas Connections Academy is a unique, tuition-free, online public school for K-12 students. Operated in partnership with the Elkhart Unified School District 218, Kansas Connections Academy offers 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. Kansas Connections Academy is accredited by the Kansas State Department of Education and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), an accrediting division of Cognia, formerly AdvancED.