New Connections Academy School Opens in Colorado, Accepting Students for the 2022-2023 School Year
Full-time Connections Academy schools will serve students in 31 states, meeting growing parent demand for quality online education options
Columbia, MD, 1st June 2022 - Pearson has announced that a new full-time online school, recently approved in Colorado, will offer the Connections Academy online school program. Colorado Connections Academy @ 27J will serve students statewide in grades K-12; the school's name is derived from its authorizer in the state, School District 27J. Colorado Connections Academy @ 27J joins two other Connections Academy schools in Colorado to deliver a holistic, high quality, built-for-purpose online education experience. The school is currently hosting information sessions for interested families.
Connections Academy schools have been leading fully online education for young students since 2001. In its annual Parent Satisfaction Survey, fielded in February 2022, 95% of parents rate the Connections Academy curriculum as high quality, 94% say their children are making good progress, and 97% give their child's online school teachers top marks for helpfulness.
The schools, which now operate in 31 states have provided a fully online public school education to over one million students in the past 20 years. Amid the pandemic in 2020, Connections Academy schools nationwide saw enrollment increase by more than 40%. Since that time, enrollment levels have sustained, with more students opting to stay and new families making the decision to enroll; an indication that exposure to a "true online school experience" (versus the pandemic's emergency remote learning) positively impacted parent preference.
School District 27J Superintendent Dr. Chris Fiedler, said: "We owe it to families to deliver choices that work for every child. Online learning can provide access to a quality education for students who may not find the right fit in a traditional classroom. We are embracing that and being proactive in meeting student needs."
The first day of school for Colorado Connections Academy @ 27J students is August 15, 2022.
Tom ap Simon, president, Pearson Virtual Learning said: "Twenty years ago, it was Colorado and Wisconsin that saw a future for full-time online school. It was in these two states that the first Connections Academy schools opened, so it is especially meaningful that the option remains for families who want and need an alternative to a traditional public school classroom. We are honored to work with the 27J school district and look forward to supporting new students starting in August."
With the addition of Colorado Connections Academy @ 27J, students can enroll in one of 46 Connections Academy online schools in 31 states.
Colorado Connections Academy @ 27J provides students with the continuous support of state-certified teachers and curriculum that focuses on the academic, social, and emotional success of students. Teachers are specially trained to bring their skills and personality to the virtual classroom and emphasize the importance of fostering meaningful connections with students and their families. Learning plans are flexible and can be uniquely tailored to meet the specific needs and abilities of each student to help them gain the skills and confidence they need to thrive in a changing world.
Parents will be core members of their child’s learning team and are an integral part of how the online program works. As Learning Coaches, parents will help teachers provide the support and structure their students need by setting daily routines, ensuring attendance and that their student’s work is complete.
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About Colorado Connections Academy @ 27J
Colorado Connections Academy @ 27J is a unique, public online program that will serve students in grades k-12 across the state. Colorado Connections Academy @ 27J is a district program of Colorado school district 27J. The online program will offer a high-quality educational experience that keeps students motivated and engaged in a safe, virtual learning environment. In addition to academics, teachers focus on emotional well-being and social development, working closely with families to help students learn how they learn best. At Colorado Connections Academy @ 27J, students gain the skills and confidence they need to direct their own educational journey, learning to thrive in the real world by first learning how to be resourceful and resilient.