Connections Academy vs. Other Online Schools

July 25, 2024 byConnections Academy

6 min to read

Connections Academy student working with her two learning partners sitting on a grey sofa underneath a white stairwell.

This article was orignially published in July 2022 and was updated in July 2024.

Online school can be a great choice for all kinds of students. But with online learning booming and more options becoming available all the time, how do you find the school that’s best for your child’s goals and your family’s needs?

While conducting your search, the different options for public online schools may seem similar. However, once you compare Connections Academy® vs. K12 or Time4Learning vs Connections Academy, you’ll find plenty of differences.

So, what is the difference between Connections Academy and K12, Time4Learning, and other online schools? It all comes down to the wide number of benefits Connections Academy offers—and all the ways we can help your child thrive.

With over 20 years of experience providing online learning, Connections Academy has helped set the standard for K–12 online school. More so than other online schools, Connections Academy is able to meet all of your child’s and your family’s needs, from tuition costs to the structure of the day-to-day educational experience. Here are the five most important benefits:

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5 Benefits of Enrolling in Connections Academy

1. Connections Academy is tuition-free.

The Connections Academy cost is hard to beat: it’s tuition-free! Each Connections Academy-supported school is approved to operate in its state and is considered part of that state’s public school system.

2. Connections Academy Is Designed by Education Professionals

A good online school isn’t a traditional school streamed over the Internet. It’s an entire system of learning specifically designed to be online.

Supported by Pearson, the world’s learning company, Connections Academy is designed to take full advantage of online technology and empower students to learn in the ways that work best for them. Bringing together synchronous and asynchronous learning along with certified teachers, student clubs, in-person field trip opportunities, and more, Connections Academy provides an environment that allows students to develop the academic and life skills they need to succeed in the world ahead.

3. Connections Academy schools are accredited.

Connections Academy is a division of Connections Education, which is accredited by Cognia, a global leader in educational accreditation and certification. Additionally, many of the Connections Academy-supported schools are accredited by one or more of six regional accrediting organizations for higher-education institutions, and all meet standards for the state in which they’re located.

As impressive as all that is, it’s just the beginning. Each Connections Academy school also employs state-certified teachers who are specially trained in online education. This makes them highly adept at connecting with students and meeting individual needs—whether a student requires extra support or is seeking new challenges like honors, Advanced Placement® (AP®*), or dual enrollment.

On top of that, Connections Academy students can study world languages, engage in unique electives, and embrace numerous other opportunities to explore their passions and develop their talents and skills.

Not surprisingly, enrolled families have taken notice, and the reviews for Connections Academy are strong. According to a 2020–2021 parent survey, 94% of Connections Academy parents agree that the school’s curriculum is high-quality and 93% are satisfied with the Connections Academy program.

4. Connections Academy’s flexible scheduling options can meet your needs.

Flexibility is one of the main reasons why parents choose online school for their children. Unlike online schools that mirror the schedules of traditional public schools, Connections Academy gives students a lot more freedom to learn in the way that works best for them. While LiveLesson® sessions occur at specific times and students still need to complete a specific number of learning hours, students can complete most of their schoolwork at the time of day that fits their learning style. Plus, they can spend more time on subjects that challenge them and less time on subjects they can master quickly.

Connections Academy also provides flexibility in how the curriculum can be taught to students through individual learning plans. Working in collaboration with teachers, Learning Coaches, and the student, lesson plans can be tailored in a way that considers each student’s unique strengths, the obstacles they face, and their goals.

Thanks to the level of flexibility Connections Academy offers, students can experience learning that works for them while developing important skills like responsibility, perseverance, and adaptability. It’s a style of learning that can help them succeed now and in the future.

An online school family taking advantage of flexible scheduling to learn anywhere.

5. Connections Academy Will Be by Your Side

One of the most significant differences in online school versus traditional school is the amount of parental involvement. In a traditional school, you are rarely involved in your child’s day-to-day learning, but online school gives you the chance to be there throughout their school day. Not all online schools make sure parents are equipped to be their child’s Learning Coach. Connections Academy, on the other hand, offers an entire slate of resources to ensure parents are not just comfortable as Learning Coaches, but are empowered to provide the support their child needs.

Plus, parents and students can reach out to teachers whenever they need additional support. Whether it’s a small question about a specific assignment or a larger concern about a lesson or project, Connections Academy teachers are available to provide the guidance and one-on-one attention students need to learn and grow.

Students Thrive at Connections Academy

Connections Academy is always working to improve and expand its curriculum to better prepare its students for the future and improve their well-being.

Clubs

Socialization is important to a student’s growth and emotional development. Connections Academy offers a number of online clubs catering to a wide variety of interests and even provides the opportunity to start a new club!

College and Career Readiness

As part of Connections Academy’s Career Readiness offering, middle and high school students are now able to take specialized classes and connect with employers, internships, and clubs in fields like IT, business, and healthcare from e-Dynamic Learning. They also have free access to Credly*, where they can earn digital badges to enhance their career options so your student can feel more optimistic about their career.

Enrolling in an online school can provide your child the learning environment they need to thrive. But it’s important to know the differences between the various options so that you can decide which school is the best fit for your child.

Find a Connections Academy School Near You

Connections Academy online schools are accessible in most states across the US. Click through the list below to learn more about each school. If there is not a Connections Academy-supported school in your state or for your student’s grade level, tuition-based private school Pearson Online Academy can be an alternative.

Alabama