Online School Students Logging on for New School Year

Mill City –September 1, 2017–Thousands of students from across the state head back-to-school Tuesday September 5th, without boarding a yellow bus, searching the hallways to find their locker, or rushing to class when the bell rings.

All these students have to do is simply turn on their computer and log into the state’s leading tuition-free virtual public charter school, Oregon Connections Academy (ORCA). Students enrolled in ORCA receive a high-quality public education delivered to their home.

The start of the 2017-18 school year marks the thirteenth year Oregon Connections Academy has been serving students across the state. Last year more than 4,000 students in grades K-12 enrolled in ORCA, which offers students the ability to attend school from anywhere there is an Internet connection.

“We are excited to start the new school year and welcome both our returning and new students,” said Allison Galvin, Oregon Connections Academy Executive Director. “We look forward to all that this year has to offer, from helping students succeed academically with ORCA’s personalized approach to learning, to seeing students develop socially through educational field trips and other special programs.”

When it comes to back-to-school season, there are several differences between online school families and those with students attending traditional brick-and-mortar schools. These include flexibility, parental involvement, and learning environment. For example, students enrolled in virtual schools can choose to wake up later in the morning, take more breaks during the day, or spend extra time with family members at the breakfast table, depending on their established school day routine. Many parents with children enrolled at Oregon Connections Academy say their students are less likely to have homework because they are completing assignments throughout the day.

Flexibility is the number one reason parents are enrolling their students in full-time online public schools, according to ORCA’s 2017 Parent Satisfaction survey. When asked the main reasons for considering online school for their child, responses from parents surveyed included: 46 percent required greater flexibility; 43 percent wanted a change from their local school; 33 percent wanted a safe learning environment; and 27 percent of parents wanted to be more involved in their child’s education.

“Oregon Connections Academy continues to provide a much-needed choice for families in our state,” added Galvin. “I’m proud of our proven track record of working to meet the learning needs of each student, connecting them with highly qualified state certified teachers, rigorous curriculum aligned to state standards, and innovative online learning technology.”

Students and parents alike consistently give Oregon Connections Academy high marks for the school’s variety of learning programs, helpful instructors, technology, flexibility and curriculum. In fact, the new survey shows 92 percent of parents recommend the school to other families and 95 percent of parents say their children are satisfied with the program.

Online learning is becoming more popular in the public school system across the country. Nationwide around 21% of public schools are offering at least one class entirely online, according to the 2015-16 Enrollment for the 2017-18 school year is still open, and families are encouraged to attend in-person or online information sessions to learn more about the program. Details about those sessions is available at: www.OregonConnectionsAcademy.com/Events

For more information about Oregon Connections Academy, watch the school’s overview video, visit ORCA’s website at www.OregonConnectionsAcademy.com or call 800-382-6010.

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About Oregon Connections Academy

Oregon Connections Academy (ORCA) is a tuition-free, high-quality, highly accountable statewide online charter school that serves students in grades K–12. The school is authorized by the Santiam Canyon School District. All Oregon Connections Academy students participate in the award-winning national Connections Academy program that combines high-quality resources from leading publishers with cutting-edge yet easy-to-use technology and hands-on materials. Oregon Connections Academy provides students with the flexibility to learn from anywhere there is an Internet connection and with an innovative online school curriculum that meets rigorous state education standards. The combination of Oregon-certified teachers, a proven curriculum, unique electives, technology tools, and community experiences creates a supportive and successful online learning opportunity for families and children who want an individualized approach to education. Oregon Connections Academy is accredited by the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC), an accrediting division of AdvancED. For more information, call 800-382-6010, or visit http://www.OregonConnectionsAcademy.com.

Laura Dillon, Outreach Manager

Oregon Connections Academy

(503) 779-3150 ldillon@orca.connectionsacademy.org