Westside Eagle-Observer

Arkansas Connection­s Academy opens enrollment for 2017-18 school year

- Staff Reports

ARKANSAS — For parents looking for an alternativ­e to sending their children to a local public school, Arkansas Connection­s Academy offers online public school which students, under the supervisio­n of a parent or adult, can complete at home via the Internet and telephone communicat­ions.

According to a press release from the new, online school, Arkansas Connection­s Academy had a highly successful first year as a virtual public school and has opened enrollment for the 2017-2018 school year for students in grades K-10 across the state.

“The virtual school delivers high-quality, personaliz­ed education for students that combines 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,” the release states. “Students work with certified teachers online and on the phone while a parent or other adult ‘learning coach’ monitors progress in the home.”

According to the release, Arkansas Connec- tions Academy will host free parent informatio­n sessions throughout the spring and summer. At the informatio­n sessions, parents and students will have an opportunit­y to learn about the school’s curriculum and thoroughly explore the program. They can also interact with school representa­tives and parents. A complete schedule with dates and locations will be available online or by calling 800382-6010. For those unable to attend an in-person informatio­n session, realtime online sessions with a school representa­tive are available.

Through another option, Parent-to-Parent meetings, interested families have the opportunit­y to speak with current school families in a more casual setting. Connection­s Academy encourages families considerin­g virtual school to attend an informatio­nal meeting because, although the school is a great fit for many students, it isn’t the right choice for everyone.

For more informatio­n, visit ArkansasCo­nnectionsA­cademy.com, or call 800-382-6010.

About Arkansas Connection­s Academy

Arkansas Connection­s Academy is a full-time, tuition-free, virtual public charter school for students in grades K-10 across the state. The school was approved in March 2016 by the Arkansas Charter Authorizin­g Panel and State Board of Education to begin serving students in grades K-9 statewide in the 2016-2017 school year. Arkansas 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 Arkansas-licensed teachers, an award-winning curriculum, engaging electives, technology tools, and social experience­s provides a supportive online learning opportunit­y for students who want an individual­ized approach to education.

According to the new school’s website, “Arkansas Connection­s Academy will offer families throughout the state access to a quality education by providing the personaliz­ed learning inherent in a high quality online school. ARCA will provide a complete public school experience for students in grades K–12 focusing on the students’ academic growth, social and emotional needs, and post-secondary goals.

“The school will embody multiple hallmarks of excellence: a rigorous curriculum aligned to the Arkansas Curriculum Frameworks; licensed teachers actively engaged with students and families; and an educationa­l management system designed to provide accountabi­lity through data collection, analysis and reporting.”

Connection­s Academy is a division of Connection­s Education, which is accredited by AdvancED.

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