Enrollment Open for Oregon's Leading Virtual Public School

Enrollment for the 2018-19 school year is under way at Oregon Connections Academy (ORCA), one of the state’s first full-time, tuition-free virtual public charter schools.

ORCA serves students in kindergarten through 12th grade who reside anywhere in Oregon, offering a flexible learning option to accommodate the needs of the modern student.

To provide more details about Oregon Connections Academy and how the online program works, the school is hosting a number of free in-person information sessions and real-time interactive online information sessions across Oregon to meet with the growing number of families who want to know more about virtual public education.

"These in-person and online information sessions provide a valuable opportunity for prospective parents and students to discuss the program and discover if ORCA is the right fit for their family,” said Oregon Connections Academy Executive Director Allison Galvin. “We do everything we can to help families understand what to expect from a virtual school and answer questions because we want what’s best for their student’s academic success.”

For the past 13 years, Oregon Connections Academy has provided students across the state access to a full-time online school complete with dedicated and state-certified teachers, award-winning curriculum, advanced technology tools, and the flexibility to learn from anywhere with an internet connection.

During the 2017-18 school year, ORCA served nearly 4,000 K-12 students throughout Oregon.

“The biggest advantage is the flexibility to complete your schoolwork on your own schedule,” said Anna Selchow, Oregon Connections Academy Student Body President from Portland, and soon-to-be graduate in the Class of 2018. "I can balance my class time with competitive fencing, my Civil Air Patrol (CAP) activities, and training for the Air Force Academy. I'm able to work ahead if I need to travel for a fencing tournament, or CAP activities. Plus, the teachers strive to meet the needs of each individual student."

Oregon Connections Academy students receive access to quality education regardless of where they live or how they learn best. Teachers work one-on-one with students to personalize learning plans to nurture their strengths and provide additional support when needed.

Students attending ORCA learn from home, meeting regularly in online LiveLesson® classroom sessions to share ideas, and have fun learning with their peers. A parent or other adult “Learning Coach” helps monitor student progress.

The school provides students with a variety of courses, including Career Technical Education and AP course options, credit recovery classes, as well a free dual college credits for certain high school courses.

During the school year, Oregon Connections Academy hosts numerous clubs, in-person field trips, and special events throughout the state to help students socialize offline with fellow students and staff as well as to help build a sense of community.

Parents, caretakers and students are encouraged to attend one of the in-person or online information sessions to learn more about Oregon Connections Academy and virtual education.

Interested families may also attend parent-to-parent meetings for the opportunity to speak with current ORCA families, join one of the online parent panels, or reach out to a parent on the ORCA website to ask questions about the school.

For more information on upcoming events or how to enroll, please visit: www.OregonConnectionsAcademy.com/Events or call (800) 382–6010.

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