Statewide public online school honors Class of 2025 during 17th annual graduation ceremony
ST. PAUL, Minn., June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In June, 795 graduating seniors from communities across Minnesota received their high school diplomas as members of Minnesota Connections Academy's Class of 2025. The tuition-free, public online school serving students in grades K-12 recently celebrated the graduates during an in-person commencement ceremony at the Minneapolis Convention Center on June 7th.
"The faculty and staff at Minnesota Connections Academy are so proud of our 2025 graduates for their hard work and determination to reach this milestone," said Minnesota Connections Academy Executive Director Brad Swanson. "These students came to our school in search of a learning environment that met their individual needs, and we know that when given the opportunity to learn in a way that works best for them, they thrive. Our Class of 2025 is ready to move on with the skills they learned to take on whatever challenges lie ahead."
During the ceremony, seniors Zania Myers of Minneapolis and Marion Kamara of Moorhead gave remarks to their classmates.
"What makes the Class of 2025 truly remarkable is not just what we've accomplished—but how we did it," said Zania. "We are a class defined by inclusivity, by the belief that everyone deserves a place, a voice, and a chance. We come from different backgrounds, with different stories and perspectives, but we lifted each other up. We celebrated our differences, and we found unity in our shared experiences."
"Here's to the dreamers, the fighters, the procrastinators who still made it (no judgment) the ones who logged on even when they didn't feel like it, the quiet achievers, the leaders, the artists, the scientist, the future entrepreneurs, and world changers," said Marion. "We didn't just adapt to the world; we changed what success can look like. We proved that a community is built with heart, not hallways, we prove that resilience can be logged in and carried out into the world and today we celebrate not just the end of high school but the beginning of thousands of new stories each waiting to be written by us."
The Class of 2025 is the 17th graduating class for the virtual school that serves students in grades K–12 statewide. Many of Minnesota Connections Academy's Class of 2025 plan to attend a two or four-year college or university, including Augsburg University, Concordia University—St. Paul, Simpson College, St. Olaf College, University of Findlay, University of Minnesota, University of North Dakota and Winona State University. Others are entering the workforce, joining the military, taking a gap year, or pursuing other exciting opportunities.
Minnesota Connections Academy is an established online school that provides students with the continuous support of highly skilled teachers and curriculum that focuses on both academics and helping to build fundamental life skills. The school's teachers are specially trained to bring their skills and personality to the virtual classroom and emphasize the importance of fostering meaningful connections with students and their families. Learning plans are flexible and can be tailored based on a student's specific needs.
The 2025-26 academic year will mark the school's second year of its successful College and Career Readiness offering for middle and high school students. Building on last year's foundation, this refined offering integrates traditional academic subjects with industry-leading, career-focused options like IT, business, health sciences and marketing. This program equips students with durable skills like leadership, critical thinking and teamwork. Students can participate in career exploration and industry networking opportunities to build confidence, make connections and find direction to prepare for their future.
Enrollment for the 2025-2026 academic year is currently open. Minnesota Connections Academy is hosting online information sessions for families interested in learning more about virtual education. For more information about Minnesota Connections Academy or to begin the enrollment process, please visit http://www.MinnesotaConnectionsAcademy.com or call 1-833-591-0251.
About Minnesota Connections Academy
Minnesota Connections Academy is a unique, tuition-free, online public school for K-12 students. Every day, we create a high-quality educational experience that keeps students motivated and engaged in a safe, virtual learning environment. In addition to academics, teachers focus on building fundamental life skills, working closely with families to help students learn how they learn best. Here, students gain the skills and confidence they need to direct their own educational journey, learning to thrive in the real world by first learning how to be resourceful and resilient. For more information, call 1-833-591-0251 or visit http://www.MinnesotaConnectionsAcademy.com.
Media Contact
Jenny Camper, Connections Academy, 614-579-7948, [email protected], https://www.connectionsacademy.com/minnesota-online-school/
SOURCE Connections Academy
Share this article