Appelton, WI (Vocus/PRWEB) February 17, 2011
Wisconsin families looking to switch schools have a new option for virtual high school -- Wisconsin Connections Academy (WCA), the states high-quality, highly accountable virtual public school, is now offering online learning for grades K-12 starting in the 2011-2012 school year. This years public school open enrollment period started February 7th and will run through February 25th, 2011.
We have received numerous requests from satisfied parents who want their children to continue with the Connections Academy program beyond eighth grade, said Michelle Mueller, principal of WCA. I encourage families to learn about WCAs new online high school and our well-established K-8 program at one of the upcoming parent information sessions planned throughout the state. This next year is going to be very exciting for all of us.
In addition to providing a seamless K-12 school experience, WCAs comprehensive new high school program will be a challenging, standards-based curriculum offering high-schoolers a wide variety of rigorous courses that provide a solid foundation for whatever path they choose upon graduation attending college or starting a career. Each high school student will be loaned a laptop for the year. Core courses cover subjects in math, science, language arts and social studies; electives range from foreign languages to digital technology, journalism and art history. Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses will also available, along with comprehensive, academic, college and career-planning guidance services.
WCA, Wisconsins first virtual school, meets the needs of students who, for a variety of reasons, learn better outside of the traditional classroom, but who can still benefit from the resources a public school provides like a high-quality curriculum, textbooks and lesson plans. Students learn at home under the direction of state-certified teachers from the Appleton Area School District. Learning Coaches, typically a parent or guardian, assist the students by monitoring their progress in the home.
Mueller added that virtual schooling continues to grow in popularity in the state of Wisconsin. In fact, according to a new study by iNACOL, Keeping Pace with K-12 Online Learning, Wisconsin had 3,927 students enrolled in full-time online charter schools in the 2009-2010 school year, and that number is expected to grow in future years.
Wisconsin Connections Academy continues to be a popular choice for families not only because of the flexibility it provides, but also because of its commitment to meeting rigorous state, regional and national standards for academic excellence, said Mueller.
WCAs successful and proven track record is widely known and a driver of parent and student interest in the online school. WCA consistently meets Adequate Yearly Progress, or AYP, a measurement defined by the U.S. No Child Left Behind Act that allows the U.S. Department of Education to determine how every public school and district is performing academically according to results on standardized tests. Once again, in the 2009-2010 school year, WCA received successful AYP marks across all objectives. Also in a 2009 Connections Academy survey of parents with students enrolled in WCA, 95 percent of families in WCA gave the program an A or B when it came to grading the school. More than 96 percent of families said theyd recommend WCA to families with children attending other schools.
These favorable results help demonstrate our commitment to student success and serve as useful measures for parents comparing the public school options available in our state, especially during this open enrollment season, Mueller added.
WCA is a public school chartered through the Appleton Area School District, and there is no tuition or fee to enroll. Through Wisconsins open enrollment law, students who live outside of the district can apply for admission to WCA during Wisconsins open enrollment period. To learn more about WCA visit our website, Facebook page, or call 1.800.382-6010.
VIDEO: A Day-in-the-Life of a Connections Academy Family
About Connections Academy
Connections Academy is a leading, fully accredited provider of high-quality, highly accountable virtual schooling for students in grades K through 12. Through tuition-free public schools, full-time and part-time private school programs, and turnkey online programs for bricks and mortar schools, Connections Academy delivers superior, personalized education for students, with the freedom and flexibility to experience our online learning community from anywhere. The combination of certified teachers, a proven curriculum, technology tools, and community experiences creates a supportive and successful online learning opportunity for families and children who want an individualized approach to education. In the 201011 school year, Connections Academy will serve students in Arizona, California (Southern and Central), Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming through its public school programs. It serves students worldwide through the online private school, National Connections Academy. Connections Academy offers grades K through 12, though some public school programs do not offer all grades. For more information, call 800-382-6010 or visit http://www.ConnectionsAcademy.com
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