Celebrating the Connections Academy Class of 2026

Across the United States, graduation season is coming to an end for Connections Academy by Pearson.  By the end of June, 35 online public schools will have hosted in-person ceremonies, complete with caps and gowns, guest speakers and the proud families of nearly 13,000 graduates.

For students, the moment looks like any other high school graduation. The difference lies in how they got there.

_{Celebrating the Connections Academy class of 2026 in New Mexico}

What is Connections Academy?

Connections Academy is a network of tuition-free schools in the United States that deliver K–12 education through an online learning model. Students complete the same academic requirements as their peers in traditional brick-and-mortar schools, while benefiting from flexible schedules that support different learning needs and ambitions.

Connections Academy combines academic study with career-connected learning, helping students build subject knowledge alongside practical skills and confidence to prepare them for what comes next.

How Connections Academy is helping students build their careers early

We know from our Lost in Transition research that annual losses at key transition points – including from school or college to work – cost the US economy $1.1 trillion annually.

Pearson is focused on helping young people build job-ready skills as they transition from school or university into the workforce, so they are better prepared to hit the ground running when they move on to their next step.

Connections Academy offers an extensive College and Career Readiness program designed to provide the knowledge, skills, and connections students need to succeed long after graduation.

Available to middle and high school students, the program blends core academic coursework with industry-aligned, career-focused pathways, including IT, business, healthcare, and marketing. This approach gives students opportunities to:

• Gain workplace experience
• Explore potential careers
• Develop skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem solving
• Expand their networks

For many, this means graduating not just with a diploma, but with a clearer understanding of their future direction and the skills they need to succeed.

_{Alabama Connections Academy graduates toss their caps}

Flexibility that supports career ambitions

For lots of students, the flexibility that online schooling offers plays a key role in making these pathways possible. It allows students to balance study with other commitments, like competitive sports, work experience, or creative pursuits.

This flexibility helped Idaho resident and graduate Yasmin Barriga who, alongside her coursework, also completed a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program while working, gaining hands-on experience in healthcare before graduation. This fall, she plans to continue her studies on a path to becoming a nurse practitioner. “Being a student at Connections Academy taught me how to balance multiple responsibilities while still focusing on my future,” she said.

_{Idaho Connections Academy graduate, Yasmin Barriga}

In Ohio, Joseph Wasserman completed a business pathway and 250 hours of work-based learning, including a role with a minor league baseball team. Building directly on that experience, he will study business and sports analytics at Miami University.

_{Ohio Connections Academy graduate, Joseph Wasserman}

Exploring careers across fields

Utah Connections Academy graduate, Aroosh Kaleem, has earned national recognition for her achievements in STEM. President of the school’s SheTech Club, she learned leadership skills and built community among her students while completing studies in biology, chemistry, and anatomy. She’ll go on to attend the University of Utah, majoring in Medical Laboratory Science and pursuing a pre-med track.

_{Utah Connections Academy graduate, Aroosh Kaleem}

For Colorado Connections Academy valedictorian Matthias Hesser, flexibility created space to thrive academically while exploring a future in aviation. He graduates with nearly 35 college credits through dual enrolment and has gained hands-on experience at a local airport, putting him on a pathway toward earning his private pilot certification. “The flexibility allowed me to stay ahead academically while also exploring my passion for aviation and preparing for my future,” he said.

_{Colorado Connections Academy valedictorian, Matthias Hesser}

Many pathways, one shared foundation

Graduates from Connections Academy schools go on to a wide range of next steps, including university courses, vocational training, the workforce, sports tracks, the creative arts, and more.

What unites them is a shared academic foundation and a flexible learning experience that has connected them with real-world skills and helped them prepare for the road ahead – whether that leads to college, credentials or a career. We wish them the very best in their onward journey!