Florida Connections Academy Approved to Serve Students Across Florida
Tampa, FL (PRWEB) August 30, 2017 -- Florida Connections Academy (FCA), a full-time statewide online public charter school, has been authorized by Hillsborough County Public Schools to serve students throughout the state beginning in the 2018-19 school year. The Hillsborough County Public School Board unanimously voted yesterday to approve the online school, which will initially serve students in grades K-8, and will add a grade level each year until it serves grades K-12 by its fifth year*. Enrollment will be open to students across Florida, with preference given to Hillsborough County students.
FCA will offer students Florida-certified teachers, an award-winning curriculum, technology tools, engaging electives, and in-person and online social experiences, creating a supportive and successful online learning program for families who want an individualized approach to education. Enrollment for the virtual school’s inaugural year will open in Spring 2018.
The Connections Academy name is known to families across Florida as it has provided online learning to students since 2006. The program’s provider is approved by the Florida Department of Education.
“We are very excited about bringing Florida Connections Academy to Hillsborough County and other Florida students starting in 2018,” commented Star Hudspath, Chair of Florida Connections Academy’s Board of Directors. “Our school will provide all students, regardless of their zip code where they live, with a high quality, highly personalized educational plan. With Florida-certified teachers, ‘best in class’ curriculum, and state-of-the-art technology, Florida Connections Academy will help students forge their own paths to academic success.”
Learning from home, students will work closely with licensed teachers using detailed daily lesson plans that can be personalized to meet individual student needs. Curriculum, from the nationally recognized Connections Academy® program, will combine high-quality resources from leading publishers with cutting-edge, yet easy-to-use, technology tools and hands-on materials. A parent, or another adult “Learning Coach” helps to monitor student progress in the home.
VIDEO: A Day in the Life of a Virtual School Family
Students residing in any county throughout the state of Florida are eligible to enroll full-time in Florida Connections Academy. A virtual school approach can serve a wide range of students, including those who are significantly ahead or behind in the classroom, those who need a flexible schedule or learn at a different pace from their peers, and those who need more individualized attention or live in isolated rural settings. Homebound and previously home-schooled students can also thrive in the Florida Connections Academy program. As a public school, there are no fees or tuition to attend and all students are required to take the same state assessments as traditional public school students. Students graduating from Florida Connections Academy will earn a Florida High School Diploma.
In preparation for its inaugural academic year, the school will establish an office within Hillsborough County and hire a school leader and team of certified teachers.
*While Florida Connections Academy has been approved by Hillsborough County Public Schools to open in the 2018-19 school year, a signed contract between Connections and the FCA board is required and anticipated in September.
About Florida Connections Academy
Florida Connections Academy (FCA) is a tuition-free, virtual public school for students in grades K-12. The school is authorized by Hillsborough County Public Schools and will begin serving students in the 2018-19 school year in grades K-8, adding a grade level each year. FCA provides students with the flexibility to learn from anywhere there is an Internet connection and with an innovative online school curriculum that meets rigorous state education standards. The combination of certified Florida teachers, an award-winning curriculum, engaging electives, technology tools, and social experiences provides a supportive online learning opportunity for students who want an individualized approach to education. For more information, call 1-800-382-6010 or visit http://www.connectionsacademy.com/florida-online-school-launch.
Allison Bazin, Connections Academy, +1 609-247-0275, [email protected]
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