Mary Joy Jones

• IT'S TIME TO THRIVE
• Connections Academy eGuide
• The Connections Academy Experience
• TRANSFORMS LEARNING FOR YOUR CHILD
• Wherever your child is on their learning journey, Connections Academy can prepare them for what comes next. With this guide, you'll learn about the Connections Academy experience and what your family can expect. It only takes a few minutes to learn how online school works.

• What You Can Expect .................................................. 3
• The Experience .......................................................... 4
• Classroom Tour .......................................................... 5
• Your Unique Student .................................................. 7
• College and Career Readiness .................................. 8
• Role of the Learning Coach ........................................ 9
• Is Online School Right for You? .................................. 10
• Start Your Journey ...................................................... 12

• Discover an Innovative and Comprehensive Educational Experience
• Curriculum Designed for Online School
• Developed by experts in online learning, our curriculum is designed to ignite curiosity and expand our students' understanding of the world and their place in it.
• Personalized Learning that Encourages Exploration
• Our online school format gives students the flexibility to feed their curiosity, discover new interests, and explore their passions with the combined support from their teachers and Learning Coaches.
• College and Career Readiness
• Whether a student wants to pursue college or immediately start a career, Connections Academy offers resources to help them identify the right path for them, develop essential in-demand skills, and gain the real-world experience they need to succeed.
• Education that Supports Well-being
• With a dual focus on their education and well-being, Connections Academy students learn how to think critically and problem-solve, gaining the confidence they need to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing world.
• Collaborative Experience to Support Student Success
• As a Learning Coach, you'll motivate and support your student, from helping set daily routines to ensuring student work is complete. You aren't alone, though—our state-certified teachers and Connections Academy community will be there to support you.

• Learn about the 5 Elements of Online School
• Interactive, Live Instruction
• Connections Academy students have the opportunity to participate in live class instruction, called LiveLesson sessions.
• In these sessions, teachers reinforce challenging concepts and motivate students to become active learners by engaging and participating in activities, asking questions, and collaborating with peers through the microphone and chat. In addition, students have opportunities to interact with peers who are enrolled in the same courses through course discussion boards.
• A Personalized Learning Path
• Specifically designed for online learning, Connections Academy's curriculum is designed to engage minds, spark curiosity, and inspire students to want to learn more.
• Connections Academy schools are tailored to each student's unique interests, goals, and abilities, including gifted and talented, Advanced Placement, and career and technical education (CTE) courses, along with a variety of electives.
• Comprehensive Support for Learning Coaches
• Learning Coaches have their own account to access the Pearson Online Classroom.
• There they can find resources and complete required tasks, including taking attendance. Learning Coaches have access to the student gradebook and assignment due dates to help keep their students on track.
• Flexible School Schedules
• Flexibility at Connections Academy includes:
• Flexible pacing. Students can spend as much or as little time as they need to master the concepts of each lesson.
• No set school schedule. Students can choose which subjects to study at different times throughout the day, giving them time for extracurricular activities and other obligations.
• Freedom to explore. Students can complete their lessons wherever they have an internet connection.
• An Intuitive Online Classroom
• The Online Classroom is the main hub for the Connections Academy learning experience.
• In the Online Classroom, students will:
• Access their lessons
• View their planner
• View their gradebook and progress bar
• Attend LiveLesson sessions
• Communicate with teachers and connect with other students through the school directory
• Access message boards
• Find tips and resources to help them succeed

• At Connections Academy, we prepare students to achieve. Discover how we prepare students to learn how they learn best.
• Every school day starts in our online classroom. We provide digital tools for collaboration, allowing students to partner with teachers, peers, and their Learning Coach so they can take ownership of their learning.
• Planner
• At the beginning of each day, Learning Coaches and students should review the Student Planner together to identify lessons to complete. This allows you to arrange the day based on your student's needs, reserving more or less time based on how long your student typically grasps concepts and retains knowledge.
• A typical week will include:
• Lessons scheduled to fit your day
• Live instruction led by our specialized teachers
• Assignments for practice and retention
• Assessments to measure comprehension
• Virtual Library
• The Virtual Library features the school handbook, the Connections Academy Honor Code, information about clubs and activities, and other school-related resources.
• To-Do List
• The To-Do List contains an attendance link and other time-sensitive reminders and alerts, including lessons that require Learning Coach approval or past-due lessons.
• Events
• The events section displays items from your student's planner on their home page, including LiveLesson sessions and appointments.
• Webmail
• Webmail is a secure internal messaging system that should be checked at the start of every day. This is where students can communicate with teachers and staff directly and where they will receive assessment feedback from teachers.
• Message Boards
• Students can access message boards created by their teachers for course announcements, course resources, and live instruction recordings.
• Grade Book
• Students can access their grade book to track their assessment progress and grades.
• My Teachers
• Students interact with teachers in multiple ways during the learning process. With all teachers listed, students can contact them directly for extra support, questions about an assignment, and more.
• LiveLesson
• During live instruction, teachers reinforce challenging concepts and motivate students to become active learners—engaging and participating in activities, asking questions, and collaborating with peers through microphone and chat.

• Designed by experts in online learning, our curriculum inspires curiosity and helps students become resilient learners. Students have the ability to learn at their own pace, which allows them to take more time with subjects or concepts when they need to.
• To see how a typical lesson works for students, please visit:
• CONNECTIONSACADEMY.COM/PROGRAM/SAMPLE-LESSONS
• The Lesson Course Tree
• The Lesson Course Tree allows students to navigate between lessons and features a list of all the lessons in the course along with icons that show what type of assessment is associated with the lesson.

• Education Tailored to Each Student's Needs
• Connections Academy students thrive in our personalized learning environment. Whether your student is advanced, needs support, is focused on career aspirations, or needs to spend more time on athletic training or other extracurricular activities, our flexible schedules can meet every student's unique needs.
• MEET NEIL
• As a busy volunteer and dedicated grandson, Neil needed an alternative school solution to support his future of joining the family business. Connections Academy's flexible schedule and curriculum offered him the school experience he needed to create the future he wanted.
• SCHOOL SCHEDULE
• 7:00 a.m. Eat breakfast and prepare for the day
• 8:30 a.m. Work on a community service project
• 12:30 p.m. Help Grandma around her house
• 3:00 p.m. Log in to Pearson Online Classroom and work on lessons
• 7:00 p.m. Enjoy dinner
• MEET MADISON
• Connections Academy's flexible schedule, gifted and talented program, and dual-credit enrollment helped Madison pursue her passions and gain the confidence and credits she needed to get a head start on college.
• 7:00 a.m. Wake up, get dressed, and eat breakfast
• 8:30 a.m. Log in to Pearson Online Classroom and review her schedule, lessons, and assignments
• 9:00 a.m. Complete American literature coursework
• 11:00 a.m. Take a lunch break and work out
• 1:00 p.m. Complete world geography coursework
• 3:00 p.m. BETA Club
• 4:00 p.m. Attend college-level calculus and mechanical engineering classes via Zoom at Kennesaw State University
• 6:30 p.m. Enjoy dinner
• 7:30 p.m. Design and build robotics, a project she's passionate about
• Meet More Students
• Discover how we empower all types of students to learn how they learn best.
• CONNECTIONSACADEMY.COM/PROGRAM/STUDENT-STORIES

• Our unique college prep and career offerings are designed to give the KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and CONNECTIONS students need to succeed long after graduation.
• Offered to middle- and high-school students, this program invites participants to complete traditional courses as well as industry-leading electives focused on in-demand and growing career fields. They can also gain valuable experience through our partnerships with top companies, organizations, and higher education institutions.
• Whether your student has a clear idea of what they want to do after high school or is just starting to figure out their goals, Connections Academy is passionate about helping our students feel confident and prepared to take on the future.
• We currently offer career pathways in multiple high-growth industries, like:
• Information Technology
• Business
• Marketing
• Hospitality
• Healthcare
• OUR PARTNERS
• Coursera
• SEMI FOUNDATION
• PATH TO PRO
• Hosa
• Credly
• FBLA
• And more!

• With more than 20 years of expertise in online learning, we understand and are able to meet the needs of our parents and students. We consistently receive high praise in our Parent Satisfaction Survey
• :
• Learning Coaches help their student thrive by creating a structured learning environment, tracking student progress, communicating regularly with teachers, and more. The time necessary to be a Learning Coach varies. Here are some general guidelines.
• ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Grades K-5
• Learning Coaches spend about 5-6 hours a day overseeing schoolwork.
• Also, schedule your child's day with school activities and breaks, lend a hand with online school lessons, and regularly connect with your child's teacher.
• 97% of parents agree our teachers are supportive.
• 94% of parents would recommend Connections Academy.
• MIDDLE SCHOOL | Grades 6-8
• Learning Coaches spend 2-3 hours a day overseeing schoolwork.
• Also, lend a hand with some lessons, check to make sure your child understands what they're learning, and communicate one-on-one with teachers.
• 96% of parents agree the curriculum is high quality.
• HIGH SCHOOL | Grades 9-12
• Also, lend a hand with some lessons, check to make sure your child is keeping their grades up and connect your child to their teacher when needed.
• 97% of parents agree they have more opportunities to be involved.
• Based on a 2025 Parent Satisfaction Survey.

• Take Our Short Quiz to Find Out!
• 01 WHAT DOES YOUR STUDENT'S LEARNING SPACE LOOK LIKE?
• A They have an office, den, or other room away from household distractions that has a desktop or laptop computer and internet connection.
• B A laptop computer and internet connection that your student will use to study in any room of the house.
• C A desktop computer and internet connection in a popular area of the home, such as the family room.
• D We're on the go a lot but have frequent access to a computer and connection to the internet.
• 02 HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL DAILY SCHEDULE?
• A Flexible and fairly open—I often have periods of free time throughout the day to interact and engage with my student.
• B Busy, but not overwhelming—I have time throughout the day to check in with my student.
• C Busy/nonstop—I always have something to do and somewhere to be.
• D I work full-time and will not be able to support my student while I'm working.
• 03 WHAT IS THE PRIMARY REASON WHY YOU'RE INTERESTED IN VIRTUAL SCHOOL FOR YOUR STUDENT?
• A My student isn't being challenged enough currently or is not receiving the personalized attention they need to succeed and thrive in school.
• B I'm concerned about the safety of your current school environment and the negative effects this environment could have on my student.
• C I would like to be more involved in my student's learning because they need more individual support and guidance.
• D Our lifestyle and current situation require a more flexible schedule.
• 04 WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS BEST DESCRIBES YOUR STUDENT'S LEARNING STYLE?
• A My student is self-motivated, organized, and can work well both independently and with others. They are focused on their goals and can chart their own path to the future.
• B My student is spontaneous and can lose focus at times. They may need motivation and support to stay on track with their learning.
• C My student is motivated but really needs personal support to stay focused on completing tasks and remembering coursework deadlines and due dates.
• D My student thrives in group settings and learns best through visual learning.
• 05 AS A PARENT, WHAT IS YOUR PRIMARY CONCERN ABOUT ENROLLING YOUR STUDENT IN VIRTUAL SCHOOL?
• A I'm not sure online school will offer a quality, accredited curriculum that will challenge my student and meet state guidelines for graduation.
• B I'm worried my child will miss interacting with other students and won't experience fun, adventurous learning activities like extracurricular activities, clubs, field trips, and school events.
• C I'm concerned about the amount of time I'll have to commit to supporting my student in online school.
• D I'm just not sure my student will be successful or happy in online school.
• SEE NEXT PAGE FOR RESULTS

• Mostly A's
• If most of your answers were A's, your student will most likely thrive in virtual school.
• We know you still want to weigh your options, but based on your responses, your student has a great space in your home to engage in learning. You also are approaching online school with the right mindset and are considering virtual school for the right reasons. Your student approaches learning with the characteristics that will help them achieve success in online school.
• Find the Connections Academy near you and view the enrollment checklist to get the process started today.
• Mostly B's
• If most of your answers were B's, virtual school could be the right solution for your student and family.
• You may have an ideal space for them to learn and the right amount of time to devote to supporting your student's success in online school, but you may want to consider making some adjustments to other factors in order to give your student the best possible opportunity to succeed.
• It's best to do more research or talk to a current Connections Academy parent before making a final decision about virtual school.
• Mostly C's
• If most of your answers were C's, you may need to adjust some aspects of your family's lifestyle or environment to help your student succeed in virtual school.
• Your student may have trouble focusing on their coursework in your home study environment. There are simple adaptations that can be made to better support your student. You can find more information about setting up a home learning space that helps students achieve success, along with organizational tips to help your student stay on track on the Connections Academy Resource Hub.
• Also, if you have other obligations that may get in the way of fully supporting your student and keeping them motivated, you could consider sharing Learning Coach duties with another trusted adult. And, if having a reliable computer is a concern, check to see if the online school in your state will provide a computer for your student to use—some do, so don't be afraid to ask!
• Mostly D's
• If you chose mostly D's, we encourage you to do some more research about how online school works.
• Virtual programs like Connections Academy offer a rigorous academic curriculum that requires motivation, organization, and cooperation from the Learning Coach and student. It's important to prepare for success!
• If you have additional questions, check out our frequently asked questions to find the answers you need.

• Get Your Child on the Right Learning Path
• ATTEND AN EVENT
• Attend a live event or watch on-demand to hear from Connections Academy families, staff, and industry experts.
• CONNECTIONSACADEMY.COM/SUPPORT/EVENTS
• ENROLL NOW
• If you're ready to help your child build the future they want, we're ready to help you enroll them in your area's Connections Academy. We make it easy.
• CONNECTIONSACADEMY.COM/ENROLL
• Want to speak with a Connections Academy representative?
• We know that deciding on a school for your child is a big decision, and we're here to help. Call us at 800-382-6019 to tell us about your student. We can answer questions to help you decide if Connections Academy is right for you.

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