How Online School Supports Students with Special Needs
by Charlotte Davies
All About Our South Carolina Online School Options
byConnections Academy
6 min to read
Every child in South Carolina deserves a great education. For many, that might be in a traditional brick-and-mortar public or private school. However, you might be wondering if your child would be better suited for enrollment in an online school.
What Is Online School in South Carolina?
South Carolina has two Connections Academy offerings available: Lowcountry Connections Academy and South Carolina Connections Academy. They are both tuition-free online public schools, authorized under state law by the Charter Institute at Erskine, with classes that are taught by credentialed teachers and a curriculum developed by experts in online learning.
OUR SCHOOL OPTIONS
Learn more about Connections Academy schools in South Carolina, including our mission, the online learning experience, and more.
Where Is Online School Available in South Carolina?
Both South Carolina Connections Academy and Lowcountry Connections Academy are available for students to enroll as long as they reside in South Carolina, including Abbeville County, Aiken County, Allendale County, Anderson County, Bamberg County, Barnwell County, Beaufort County, Berkeley County, Calhoun County, Charleston County, Cherokee County, Chester County, Chesterfield County, Clarendon County, Colleton County, Darlington County, Dillon County, Dorchester County, Edgefield County, Fairfield County, Florence County, Georgetown County, Greenville County, Greenwood County, Hampton County, Horry County, Jasper County, Kershaw County, Lancaster County, Laurens County, Lee County, Lexington County, Marion County, Marlboro County, McCormick County, Newberry County, Oconee County, Orangeburg County, Pickens County, Richland County, Saluda County, Spartanburg County, Sumter County, Union County, Williamsburg County, and York County.
Who Can Attend Online School in South Carolina?
South Carolina Connections Academy is available to students looking to enroll in kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, or high school, who meet eligibility criteria, including age limitations and immunization requirements, and have access to a reliable internet connection in a safe learning environment. Enrollment capacity is limited; students who apply after capacity has been reached will be placed on a first-come, first-served waitlist.
South Carolina’s Lowcountry Connections Academy is open for enrollment to students entering kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, or high school who meet the enrollment criteria, including age limitations and immunization requirements, and have access to a reliable internet connection in a safe learning environment. Students who apply after capacity has been reached will be placed on a first-come, first-served waitlist.
How Much Does Online School in South Carolina Cost?
As an online public school in South Carolina, South Carolina Connections Academy and Lowcountry Connections Academy are both tuition-free, which includes text books and the curriculum. Families are responsible for the costs of school supplies, in-person field trips, and providing their own internet access; however, a hardship internet service subsidy may be provided, as well as a computer, to eligible applicants.
Why Choose Online Public School in South Carolina?
Students enrolled in South Carolina Connections Academy or Lowcountry Connections Academy enjoy the flexibility of online classes, the ability to learn at their own pace, more individualized attention from teachers, and freedom from the distractions present in traditional schools, like bullying. Parents appreciate the ability to be more involved in their children’s education.
What Does South Carolina Connections Academy Offer?
As an online school in South Carolina, South Carolina Connections Academy offers an accredited education with the flexibility to attend classes and do homework on the schedule that works best for your student and your family. They both offer classes taught by accredited teachers, as well as the availability for greater parental involvement than is possible in traditional brick-and-mortar schools. South Carolina Connections Academy is NCAA-approved and offers gifted learning programs and Advanced Placement®* courses for high school students.
South Carolina Connections Academy at a glance:
- has the highest graduation rate among all virtual schools in the state and a higher graduation rate than the state average
- offers dual-enrollment as an option for students in junior and senior years
- offers gifted and talented, honors, special education, and Advanced Placement®* courses for high school students
- provides more asynchronous lessons and more targeted small group sessions
- offers Career and Technical Education courses to high school students
- provides Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and a range of special education services
Does South Carolina Connections Academy Have Clubs?
- National Honor Society offered for eligible for sophomores, juniors, and seniors
- we offer a Science Club to students in grades 8–12
- a daily book club is offered to middle school students
- we offer a Student Government Association program
- we have an Esports team for our high school students
- we offer monthly virtual high-school hangouts
- clubs offered to students in grades K –12
Learn more about South Carolina Connections Academy’s school clubs.
How Long Has South Carolina Connections Academy Been Operating?
South Carolina Connections Academy has been helping South Carolina students succeed since 2008.
Is South Carolina Connections Academy Accredited?
South Carolina Connections Academy is an accredited public school where students can meet all the South Carolina educational and high school graduation requirements.
South Carolina Connections Academy is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), an accrediting division of Cognia, formerly AdvancED.
What Does Lowcountry Connections Academy Offer?
Lowcountry Connections Academy allows students to complete their schoolwork at any time of the day or night, including weekends, which allows families to work school in around medical appointments, sports, performances, or anything else that would make a traditional school schedule difficult. Students can also work ahead within the current semester or take extra time if they find a particular chapter/unit/concept to be challenging.
Lowcountry Connections Academy at a glance:
- offers Career and Technical Education Courses
- offers honors and Advanced Placement®* courses
- allows students to earn college credit and industry certifications
- offers a range of special education services for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
- provides entry-level professional certificates from companies like Google, Meta, and Salesforce through an exclusive partnership with Coursera
- offers digital, globally recognized Credly badges to showcase credentials and accomplishments
- offers partnerships with top companies, organizations, and higher education institutions
Does Lowcountry Connections Academy Have Clubs?
- Science Sleuths for grades K–5
- Art Club for grades 6–12
- Writer’s Oasis for grades 6–12
- Chess Club for all grades
- Gaming and Technology Club for all grades
- And more!
Learn more about Lowcountry Connections Academy’s school clubs.
How Long Has Lowcountry Connections Academy Been Operating?
Lowcountry Connections Academy has been operating since 2021.
Is Lowcountry Connections Academy Accredited?
Lowcountry Connections Academy is a high-quality public charter school where they can meet all the South Carolina educational and high school graduation requirements.
Connections Academy® schools are supported by Connections Education LLC, dba Pearson Online & Blended Learning, which is accredited by Cognia, formerly AdvancED.
What Grades Are Offered Through South Carolina Connections Academy and Lowcountry Connections Academy?
South Carolina Connections Academy and Lowcountry Connections Academy offer classes for K–12 students.
If you’d like to learn more about online schools in South Carolina, including enrollment requirements, contact our enrollment team at 1-833-591-0251 or visit us at South Carolina Connections Academy or Lowcountry Connections Academy.
*Advanced Placement® is a registered trademark of the College Board. Used with permission.
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