Oregon's Leading Virtual Public School Excited to Start New School Year This Week

The start of the new school year for Oregon Connections Academy

(ORCA) gets underway this week and students at the online public school are giving it high marks. The results from the just released Oregon Connections Academy 2016 Student Satisfaction Survey show students are highly satisfied with the school's teachers and the online program.

Overall, 100% of Oregon Connections Academy elementary students like their teachers, and 91% of all students in grades K-12 are satisfied with the ORCA program, according to the survey. Oregon Connections Academy is the state's leading tuition-free online public school. ORCA conducts the survey each year to find out how students grade the virtual school program in several key areas.

“I love Oregon Connections Academy because the teachers really listen to who I am and what I’m interested in," said Jack Haldeman from Wilsonville, an 8th grade student at Oregon Connections Academy. His twin brother Mike Haldeman added, "My family loves to travel for fun and my dad has to travel a lot for work. With Oregon Connections Academy we can all travel together and stay connected as a family. Anywhere we have wifi, we can have school!’

"The curriculum is very advanced, and challenges students to be their best," explained Garrett Kincaid, an Oregon Connections Academy sophomore from Lyons. "Projects and bookwork provide in-depth, active involvement with the work, giving students the chance to actually think through and understand the work they are doing. Several resources are provided to give students the help they need. ORCA is a great school."

For the past ten years, ORCA has also conducted a parent survey and for the 10th year in a row 90% or more of parents gave the online school an "A" or a "B" grade. The 2016 Parent Satisfaction Survey also indicated 91% of parents with children enrolled in Oregon Connections Academy would recommend the school to other families. This high level of satisfaction is one reason why more and more families are attending ORCA's parent meetings around the state and requesting information about enrollment for the 2016-17 school year.

"My overall satisfaction with the school has been great," said Josephine Relli, an Oregon Connections Academy sophomore from Beaverton. "Love the teachers, they're very helpful and kind. Love the grading system, it really helps me have a clear understanding of what I need to work on or with my grades. The setup is very organized and easy to understand and use."

Other highlights from Oregon Connections Academy’s Student Satisfaction Survey include:
(Note that grade ranges indicate the grades in which the question was asked, no data has been removed):
Students in Grades K-5 Students in Grades 6-12

Agreed that they are satisfied with ORCA 97% 89%

Like their teachers/are satisfied w/helpfulness of
their teachers 100% 96%

Gave ORCA a grade of “A” or “B” n/a 82%

Agreed that they are making good progress n/a 85%

Agreed that they are enjoying the program n/a 82%

Agreed that the use of technology is improving their
learning experience n/a 81%

Stated that they are more satisfied with ORCA than
their previous school n/a 83%
"The teachers are simply the best! They are always so helpful and they always answer my emails or return my calls," explained Arjay Hamilton-Perez, an 11th grade student from Salem. "And, if I am still having trouble with a concept, it is easy to get the help you need. ORCA has always had my back; it helps me make so much progress in my schoolwork, and I absolutely adore it for what it has done for me."

"Oregon Connections Academy is easy to navigate," said Arjay's twin brother Jaymes Hamilton-Perez. "I know where to find all the lessons I need to do each day, and where I go to talk to my teachers. ORCA wants to help you, and makes it very easy to learn in this school. Even better, I have never had trouble with the technology. Oregon Connections Academy is the best!"

ORCA is the state's leading tuition-free online public school serving students in grades K-12 across Oregon with a top-tier, personalized education. Enrollment is still underway for the 2016-2017 school year. To get more information about the school go to www.OregonConnectionsAcademy.com/Events or call (800) 382-6010.

Survey Methodology:

Connections Academy conducts the annual Student Satisfaction Survey to find out how students grade the program in several key areas. The 2015-2016 survey was administered by an independent market research company which created the questionnaire, collected the data, and tabulated the results. Age-appropriate surveys were tailored to grades K-5, 6-12.

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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@connectionseducation.com