MTS Minnesota Connections Academy Kicks Off Open Enrollment for 2012-2013 School Year

April 23, 2012 - PRLog -- MTS Minnesota Connections Academy, http://www.ConnectionsAcademy.com, a tuition-free K-12 virtual public school program today opened enrollment for the 2012-2013 school year. With its parent organization based in Baltimore, the e-learning pioneer kicks off its second decade of serving students with new programs, a host of exciting new courses, instructional tools, and student activities available to all students. During the upcoming school year Connections Academy expects to operate 24 virtual public schools in 22 states—including two new schools in northern California and Iowa.

Connections Academy will host a record number of free parent information sessions throughout Minnesota to fulfill a growing number of requests for information about the virtual school program. Parents and others seeking more information about the program can visit www.ConnectionsAcademy.com or call 800-382-601 for a complete schedule of in-person information sessions and real-time virtual sessions. Parent-to-Parent meetings are also available for those interested in speaking with current Connections Academy families in a more casual setting.

At the information sessions, parents will have an opportunity to learn about the MTS Minnesota Connections Academy curriculum, and thoroughly explore the program and enrollment process. Attendees can also interact with Connections Academy representatives and parents.

Exciting developments are taking place on the curriculum front as Connections Academy expands its educational offerings. Three new specialty academies will be available for students who have exceptional talent in the performing arts, competitive sports, or math and science. Open to qualified Connections Academy students is the Performing Arts Academy, the Sports Academy and the Math and Science Academy, which offer enriching experiences, networking opportunities, and specialty-focused coursework—including NCAA-approved courses for student athletes.  

Additionally, all Connections Academy students will be able to select a number of engaging new courses including:  Digital Arts; Introduction to Entrepreneurship; Engineering Design and Game Design; and AP World History. Innovative instructional tools will be available to students for the first time including: Lab Investigator: Virtual Dissection; a virtual wordplay game for middle school students; and selected state history courses with Google Earth tours and virtual timelines—showcased by robot avatars. Just-introduced extra-curricular clubs and activities for 2012-2013 include digital storytelling and brainteasers clubs.

Prospective students and their parents can also learn about Connections Academy via many social networks. Families may follow Connections Academy on Facebook and Twitter, watch videos on YouTube and read Virtual Learning Connections, the Connections Academy blog for families interested in supporting K-12 learning from home.  

Connections Academy staff encourage families considering an online public school experience to attend an information session or participate in a Parent-to-Parent meeting because virtual education, while a great choice for many families, may not be a good fit for some.

“Attending a virtual school requires a strong commitment of parental involvement in their child’s education,” says Melissa Gould, principal, MTS Minnesota Connections Academy.  “During our information sessions, we let families know exactly what they can expect in a virtual school setting, as well as what it takes to succeed. Having a clear understanding of how it all works is essential for students to thrive.”

MTS Minnesota Connections Academy is designed to meet the needs of students and their families who are looking for an alternative to the conventional public school option—those who learn at a different pace from their peers, students who want more individualized instruction, individuals living in isolated rural settings, those who want a more flexible learning schedule, or need a learning environment outside of the traditional classroom.

With its faculty headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., MTS Minnesota Connections Academy is a highly accountable, high-quality personalized K-12 online program that offers an alternative school experience—public school from the comfort of home. Students work with state-certified teachers via e-mail, live online lessons, text-based curriculum, webcasts, telephone conversations and more, while an adult “Learning Coach” monitors progress in the home. Connections Academy provides personalized K-12 education that combines a proven curriculum, unique technology tools, and an extensive collection of electives, clubs and community experiences to create academic and emotional success for students.