In our online learning portal, current students will find coursework and lessons, Learning Coach resources, instructions for completing re-enrollment, and more.
Log into the Enrollment Portal to complete online enrollment forms and submit required documents for Ohio Bridge Connections Academy.
Ohio Bridge Connections Academy is a dropout prevention and recovery school in Ohio serving students who have experienced significant barriers to success in school.
Offering a high level of flexibility and support as well as personalized learning plans, our program aims to empower high school students between the ages of 14 and 21 to gain core academic skills, build resilience, and achieve their college and career goals.
Families choose Ohio Bridge Connections Academy because they trust us to give their children a unique, personalized school experience where students can learn and grow.
Ohio Bridge Connections Academy provides a complete, full-time education for students who need an extra level of support to get back on track and earn their high school diploma.
Ohio Bridge 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.
* Availability of print textbooks varies by state and course.
** Availability of computer equipment and Internet access varies by state.
Although Ohio Bridge Connections Academy and homeschooling have some similar attributes, Ohio Bridge Connections Academy is not homeschooling. Ohio Bridge Connections Academy provides a defined set of curriculum materials that have been specifically aligned to local standards and use certified teachers to evaluate student performance, including decisions concerning the child’s grade-level promotion. All students are required to take state standardized tests, and the school is accountable to regulatory authorities for the students’ performance.
Visit the enrollment page for more information.
We currently serve at-risk students in grades 9-12* between the ages of 14 and 21 who meet certain eligibility requirements.
*Students in grades 7 and 8 may qualify for the program with approval from the school's counselor.
Connections Academy is always looking for hardworking 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.
Visit the Special Education page to learn more about accommodations for students.
Ohio Bridge Connections Academy students are required by the Ohio Department of Education to work 920 hours during a full school year.* To meet this requirement, students must work 5.5 hours and complete 4–6 self-guided lessons each school day (the number of lessons is based on the student’s current grade-level requirements), for a total of 27.5 hours and the completion of 20–25 self-guided lessons each week. Ohio Bridge Connections Academy students are able to work any day of the week (Saturdays and Sundays included) and during the hours that work best for them. Parents/Learning Coaches will record all online and offline hours for their students when they are working on their daily self-guided lessons through Pearson Online Classroom. Any additional activities cannot be recorded as hours until the student is caught up and current on all daily coursework.
*Students enrolling after Ohio Bridge Connections Academy's first day of school will have their total required attendance hours reduced based on their actual enrollment date.
Ohio Bridge Connections Academy works tirelessly to be in full compliance with all state laws and mandates on a daily basis. According to the Ohio Department of Education, “Federal and state laws require all districts and schools to test all students in specific grades and courses. There is no law that allows a parent or student to opt out of state testing, and there is no state test opt-out procedure or form. If a parent withdraws a child from participation in certain state tests, there may be consequences for the student, the student’s teacher, and the school and district.”
Ohio Bridge Connections Academy administers the following Ohio State–Mandated tests:
Mandated State Testing—Site Locations: The law states that testing sites need to be located within 50 air miles of where our students reside; however, Ohio Bridge Connections Academy continuously strives to make state testing as stress-free as possible. Ohio Bridge Connections Academy offers 25 testing sites across the entire state. Each testing site provides multiple highly qualified staff members to ensure state testing runs smoothly and efficiently.
For more information, please visit the Ohio Department of Education’s state testing web page.
Our alternative program provides highly personalized academic, behavioral, emotional, and career support to help at-risk students earn a traditional high school diploma.
Your student will work closely and directly with educators to get the one-on-one support they need to achieve their goals. As your student’s Learning Coach, you will also play a vital role in your child’s ongoing academic success.
Just like in a brick-and-mortar school, the most successful students have parents who are involved in their education. We recommend that a parent or other trusted adult serve as a Learning Coach to support the student’s learning. Each family does this differently, and the role largely depends on the individual student, including their ability to learn independently. Some of the ways families may support learning 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.
Because our program is not NCAA approved, Ohio Bridge Connections Academy is not a good fit for students who plan to participate in collegiate athletics. Students may be able to participate in their local school district’s athletic program or other extracurricular activities.
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.
The online public school program is free, including all of the books and curriculum. The only costs are the optional field trips, which are organized by your school’s community coordinators and staff, school supplies, and in some cases computers & internet. Computers and/or internet subsidy options are available at select schools.
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 potential costs, which may include optional field trips, school supplies, and in some cases computer & internet.
No. All required books and instructional materials for courses are provided to students. Some texts are provided online, and other texts are in print form.
Students who attend online school and meet Ohio graduation requirements receive the same diploma as their peers who attend brick-and-mortar public schools in the state, which includes 20 credits.
We want every student to thrive long after graduation. Along with helping your student earn their high school diploma, we offer a variety of early career readiness opportunities, including an individual career plan, so they can face their future with confidence.
To graduate, all students need to complete the same credit requirements as all students in the state. Explore our exact graduation requirements here.
Ohio Bridge Connections Academy students will earn the exact same high school diploma as students who attend any traditional or brick-and-mortar school in Ohio.
A high school diploma represents completion of a high school curriculum, while a GED is a certificate confirming high school-level proficiency passed via a series of tests, often used by those who didn't finish high school. At Ohio Bridge Connections Academy, graduates will have earned their high school diploma.
At Ohio Bridge Connections Academy, students will receive a high level of individualized support, both from teachers specially trained in online learning, and from their Learning Coach, typically a parent or other caretaker, who will help encourage and support them.
Here, students will also benefit from:
Connections Academy provides comprehensive lesson plans online and in print, along with a number of exciting elective courses. The proven curriculum incorporates materials developed by leading educational institutions, as well as lessons and other resources developed by curriculum specialists. The curriculum for each public school is aligned to the state standards.
Absolutely! Whether your student is planning on pursuing post-secondary education or is preparing to join the workforce after graduation, our career-focused pathways offer a unique opportunity to explore their interests and gain real-world skills and experience.
Connections Education is accredited by Cognia, formerly AdvancED, an organization representing 34,000 public and private schools and districts across the United States and in 70 countries worldwide. Many of the Connections Academy–supported schools are accredited by one or more of six regional accrediting organizations for higher education institutions recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the United States Department of Education.
The curriculum is designed by experienced leaders in online learning. It meets national and individual state standards and has earned numerous awards from national organizations for educational content and learning technology.
Yes. Students need to be between the ages of 14 and 21 to be eligible.
Visit the enrollment page to get started!
Connections Academy’s Academic Placement Services team uses academic records to place students in courses that are the best fit for them.
Connections Academy is comfortable with a ratio of 4:1 (four children to one Learning Coach). An additional adult serving as Learning Coach is recommended for more than 4 students in a household. In the event that the additional adult is not a parent or legal guardian, a Designated Learning Coach Agreement must be completed by both the parent/legal guardian and Designated Learning Coach.
Check the enrollment page to find the following:
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 meeting the age cap for enrollment. Students who cannot complete the program requirements before meeting the age cap for enrollment are not eligible 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 the student 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.
You will have access to our learning management system, at any time of the day including weekends and holiday breaks. This level of flexibility helps you to design a learning day that works best for your family.
Local schools serve one district. Connections Academy serves students from multiple districts statewide. Not all districts statewide accept the same documentation.
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 personalized 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.
That depends on you. 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 check the status of your documents by visiting the Enrollment Portal. 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 was 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 calling 1-833-591-0251.
In order 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.
The amount of time a student spends on the computer varies by grade. Middle school students spend about 50–75%, and high school students spend about 80–90% of their school day working on the computer.*
* Time on the computer may vary based on the use of print textbooks or online textbooks. The availability of print textbooks varies by state and course.
Students and Learning Coaches do not need advanced computer skills to attend Connections Academy. Through our Learning Coach Success series, parents are given the opportunity to attend a variety of sessions on subjects about anything from becoming acquainted with technology, to where to find resources in Pearson Online Classroom (formerly known as Connexus®), our education management system. We also provide a technology literacy program that aids students in developing 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.
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.
