Connect with a Oklahoma Connections Academy Parent

Dana’s twin boys, who have two different learning styles, are excelling with the virtual attention they receive from their teachers. They also really enjoy the flexibility that OKCA provides.

My family learned about Oklahoma Connections Academy (OKCA) after researching alternatives to traditional school for our twin boys who were twelve. We were a military family and struggled with the varying requirements for homeschooling from state to state. We choose OKCA after attending their webinars and an in-person information session. OKCA provided a nearly seamless transition when we moved from Florida to Oklahoma in 2012. Additionally, we were thrilled to know that the boys would earn a high school diploma instead of having to test for a GED (homeschool option).

Currently, the boys are in the ninth grade here in Oklahoma. They are excelling with the virtual attention they receive from their teachers. The flexibility of Connections Academy allows for the one who struggles in algebra to receive more attention from his teacher. The other twin (who understands almost everything the first time) gets to complete his class work and pursue his own passions in the afternoon. The bottom line is that my boys are happier with their education. No angry teachers, no bullying, no swearing, no wasting time, no showing up to class to watch Rio and be told to hush fifty times—just a no-nonsense mentality that provides students with direction, like informing them of the requirements and due date for an assignment. My sons are active in the community, volunteering with the Red Cross as disaster action responders and regularly attending church and church activities. Numerous adults compliment their father and me for the boys’ honesty, hard work, and maturity. OKCA has provided a tangible way for my family to provide a quality education and effectively rear two teenage boys, with the goal of their becoming effective members of our society.

Stephanie has seen her daughter’s personality and confidence blossom since she joined OKCA, as she has interacted with her peers and teachers online and on field trips. Her daughter loves the flexibility of the schedule and enjoys being able to focus on a particular subject for a couple of hours without being forced to move on because the schedule says it is time.

We have been with Oklahoma Connections Academy (OKCA) since 2015. Prior to OKCA, our daughter was enrolled in a private school and in a traditional brick-and-mortar public school. We knew God was leading us in a different direction for our daughter's education, but we didn’t know what that meant. We were no longer in a position to afford a private education, and we knew that the middle school down the street was not the best option for our child. Even with a background in education, I did not believe that homeschooling was the route to take for our daughter’s education. I then remembered receiving information in the mail about OKCA, and I began my research to see if this is the route we should take. My daughter and I attended an information session, and she was convinced that this was what she wanted to do. The flexibility of the schedule, the impressive curriculum that is multisensory, the quality of the teachers, the numerous clubs and electives, and the free tuition made choosing OKCA easy.

At OKCA, a parent doesn’t have to be concerned about overcrowded classrooms, bullying, or social status, and can instead focus on spending time with their child, helping them to be successful in school, and partnering with teachers for the best academic experience. We love that OKCA helps create an education plan for the individual child, not the class as a whole.

Switching to OKCA has been very rewarding for our family. We enjoy more meals together, and we have the flexibility to visit family out of state, study God’s Word, and enjoy the great outdoors. We have seen our daughter be challenged academically through the course work. She loves being in the gifted and talented program. When asked what she likes about OKCA, she tells you that she loves being able to focus on a particular subject for a couple of hours without being forced to move on because the schedule says it is time. We have seen our daughter’s personality and confidence blossom this past year as she has interacted with her peers and teachers online and on field trips. She is no longer self-conscious about her food allergy, which at times set her apart in the traditional classroom. Because of the flexibility of the school schedule, we were able to add tennis lessons to our daughter’s day—and she is able to serve with me at church in the evenings. We love being part of the OKCA family.

Tabitha is happy that she found an educational environment that welcomed her involvement and supported her daughter’s academic growth, helping her prepare for college. OKCA addressed her daughter’s prospective colleges’ concerns about academic content, accountability, and social opportunities.

In her seventh-grade year (2011), my daughter was fortunate enough to be one of the first to enroll in Oklahoma Connections Academy (OKCA). I was looking for an environment that would support her academic growth and welcome my involvement. We carefully considered our options, contacting colleges and high school programs in which she was interested to find out their views on different options. Connections Academy addressed all of their concerns regarding academic content, accountability, and social opportunities.

Once enrolled, we confirmed that OKCA was an ideal fit for our family. The teachers were willing to spend time working independently with my daughter so she could master concepts. We received detailed feedback on assignments. Teachers responded to my questions, considering them to be as important as my daughter’s. The assignments were detailed, and the grading rubrics let us know exactly what was expected. Since LiveLesson® sessions with her teacher are recorded, I no longer waste time offering the same explanations used in class, but instead I try a different approach that makes sense to my daughter and draws on her personal experiences.

My daughter is now in high school with Connections Academy. She finds the material challenging and educational. Classes involve more collaboration with other students by way of class discussions and as a part of team projects. In addition to offering LiveLesson® sessions, my daughter’s teachers hold office hours. She can show up and ask for help on a concept, and I can provide more support by reminding her of questions to ask rather than directly coaching her on the material. I think these skills will be advantageous when she goes to college.

For Toni, Oklahoma Connections Academy’s curriculum and the flexibility of a virtual school environment are key to maintaining her daughter's type 1 diabetes and her education.

When my daughter, Belle, was diagnosed with type-1 diabetes, I was determined to help her achieve the best self-care possible and still see that she took advantage of her academic opportunities. I didn't realize what a task that would be.

When we experienced difficulties within the traditional school system, we decided to home-school Belle. The thought of it scared me to death, but I knew that she needed something to change because she wasn't able to concentrate and achieve at the level she was capable of reaching. Then we found Connections Academy on the Internet. It really sounded great, but we were skeptical. Could we do all this at home on the computer...and it's free? No way!

Now that she has been doing the work for a few months, and has achieved a 95% average, we are believers. I have seen her go from a discouraged girl who thought she was stuck in a system that was not working for her, to a girl who feels better, and is loving school again. The best part is what she said to me not too long ago: "Mom, I can learn again!" Those were the best words she could have said to me! As a Learning Coach, I can say that I am pleased to be an active participant in my daughter's education. It is a privilege to be guiding her through this part of her education."

Valarie’s children, both of whom are members of the National Honor Society and on the Student Council, are thriving at Oklahoma Connections Academy.

My name is Valarie Moser. My children have been with Oklahoma Connections Academy (OKCA) since 2014. To say they have thrived at OKCA would be to put it mildly.

The curriculum is both challenging and rewarding. There are teachers my children have bonded with whom they can go to for help, opinions, and support.

Connections Academy also has many clubs and other extracurricular activities designed to help your child grow into a strong, educated adult. My children are in the National Honor Society / National Junior Honor Society and are both on the Student Council.

Enrolling my children at OKCA is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made for their education.