Ohio Connections Academy Enrollment for the 2016-2017 School Year Opens Today

Enrollment for the 2016-2017 school year will officially begin March 1st for Ohio Connections Academy (OCA), the full-time virtual public school serving students from all over Ohio in grades K-12. Interested parents and students are encouraged to learn more at one of the many in-person or online information sessions offered by the school.

Ohio Connections Academy is a fully-online public school that students attend from home. The accredited online program delivers high-quality, personalized education for students that combines Ohio-certified teachers, a proven curriculum, technology tools, and community experiences—online and in-person—to create a supportive environment for children who want an individualized approach to education. Students work with certified teachers online and on the phone while a parent or another adult “Learning Coach” monitors progress in the home. Ohio Connections Academy currently serves approximately 3,500 students from across Ohio. As a public school, there is no tuition to attend.

“We have been with Connections Academy for several years and now have a graduating senior with honors and an 8th grade honor student,” said Carla Martin of Cleveland. “Ohio Connections Academy, with its top rated curriculum, and teachers who are attentive and responsive, our children have thrived academically, especially with the AP and honors courses that are available. Through Ohio Connections Academy our children are more confident and are far better suited for future scholastic success.”

Information Sessions

Beginning in April, Ohio Connections Academy will host free information sessions and other outreach activities for parents and their children. During the information sessions, families will have an opportunity to learn about the online school’s curriculum and thoroughly explore the program. They can also interact with school representatives and parents. For those unable to attend an in-person information session, real-time online sessions with a school representative are available. A complete schedule with dates and locations is available at www.OhioConnectionsAcademy.com/Events or by calling (800) 382-6010.

Prospective students and their parents can also learn about Ohio Connections Academy through many social networks—Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube— and through the Virtual Learning Connections blog for families interested in supporting K-12 learning from home.

Ohio Connections Academy Superintendent Marie Hanna encourages families considering virtual school to attend an information session and speak with faculty or a family with a child enrolled in the program. “These events are a great opportunity for parents to discuss the program and discover if it’s the right fit for their child. This is a major decision for parents and students so we do everything we can to help them know what to expect from a virtual school and how they play a critical role in their child’s academic success,” Hanna said.

Parent Satisfaction

In a 2015 survey of OCA parents and students, the program received high marks for its academic rigor, program flexibility, the high quality of its teachers, and for delivering high levels of student achievement. Eighty-eight percent of parents reported that their child is making good progress in the school, arguably the keenest evaluation of a child’s education. Ninety-six percent said they were pleased with the helpfulness of their children’s teachers, and specifically praised their responsiveness and accessibility.

More information about Ohio Connections Academy is available at www.OhioConnectionsAcademy.com.