Justice Haam, 15, and his two younger sisters started with Minnesota Connections Academy during the COVID-19 pandemic, and he quickly realized that online school is the ideal environment for his needs and goals.
“The flexibility is really important to me,” Justice explained. "I work at a faster pace than some other people.”
Since Connections Academy allows him to work at his own pace, Justice is able to complete his daily schoolwork in about half the time that he’d spend in classes at the traditional school he was enrolled in before the pandemic.
“That leaves me with a lot of free time, and with that free time, I usually work on this five-year course I’m in called ‘UMTYMP,’ which stands for University of Minnesota Talented Youth Mathemetics Program.”
Jill Greendeer, Justice’s mother and Learning Coach, emphasized her appreciation for how much Connections Academy embraces college preparation, including the opportunities for students to take college-level courses.
“I’ve really seen Justice come into his own, mature, and be empowered to take charge of his education,” Greendeer said.
Whether students absorb material easily or need a bit of extra practice and support in a particular subject, online high school allows them to work at the speed that is most natural for them.