Network of full-time, tuition-free online public schools proudly recognizes the Class of 2023 in a graduation ceremony at the University of Denver's Ritchie Center
ENGLEWOOD, Colo., June 14, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- On June 2, graduates, family and staff celebrated Colorado Connections Academy's impressive graduating Class of 2023 with a traditional ceremony at the University of Denver's Ritchie Center. These students turned to Colorado Connections Academy's full-time online schools for a personalized and flexible education, enabling them to thrive academically while working in an environment that served them best.
Colorado Connections Academy's Class of 2023 consists of graduates from many cities and towns including Alamosa, Colorado Springs, Grand Junction and Yuma. Among the graduating class, 42% plan to attend a two- or four-year college or university including Northwestern University, Colorado School of Mines, CU Denver, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the Australian Institute of Music and more. Additionally, 16% of the graduates plan to enter the workforce, 9% plan to receive vocational training and others are joining the military, taking a gap year or planning to pursue other opportunities.
"We are immensely proud of the achievements of our students as they embark on their next journey. I am continually proud of the seniors that cross the stage at graduation each year," said Shannon Cox, school leader at Colorado Connections Academy. "I am confident that their experiences at Colorado Connections Academy have prepared them for the challenges and opportunities that they'll face along the way," she added.
This year's Class of 2023 is comprised of a diverse group of talented individuals who found success with their academic pursuits, extracurricular activities, and community engagement. Valedictorians include Russell Major, Joseph Klein and Grace Davis. Salutatorians include Lily Nichols, Logan Dietrich and Hunter Shykind.
Grace Davis, one of this year's valedictorians, has been a student at Colorado Connections Academy since the 8th grade. Grace was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia when she was five years old and went through 2 1/2 years of chemotherapy. She said it has shaped her into who she is today and has made her stronger. She struggled with PTSD and anxiety in her local brick-and-mortar school, so being in online school has been incredibly helpful for her.
"I'm grateful to those who had the wisdom and foresight to create educational options such as virtual schooling, because it's been an essential steppingstone in my educational journey," said Davis. "I discovered that I'm the person who knows myself best and online school was the perfect fit. Not only did virtual school help my mental health and allow me to work through my trauma, but it also allowed me to pursue activities that would help me with my future career," she added.
Davis hopes to become a veterinarian someday. She volunteers at Elite Equine Rescue, where they give retired racing horses a second chance. When she was younger it was her first horse, Cloudy, that helped her through her experience and gave her confidence. Grace created a documentary called Running to Rehab, which won second place in the "A Voice for Animals" contest last year. Grace was also accepted to the University of Colorado Colorado Springs where she plans to study biology. She was most recently named a Kane Scholarship recipient, where she was one of 10 in-state students to receive this award. She was awarded the full cost of tuition, fees and books for up to four years.
Virtual school is a great fit for a variety of students and each student is unique. Some students are academically advanced and struggle in a traditional school setting, while some prefer to learn at their own pace. Other students may be experiencing health challenges or bullying, while others are athletes or performers who require a flexible learning schedule.
Colorado Connections Academy schools serve approximately 3,000 students statewide in grades K-12. The schools offer learning plans that are flexible and can be tailored to match a child's needs and abilities. Colorado Connections Academy's state-certified teachers work hard to foster meaningful connections by providing individualized student attention and a positive, engaging learning environment. Students have regular opportunities to share ideas, compare experiences and have fun learning with their peers through online classroom sessions.
Enrollment is currently open for the 2023-24 school year. Families interested in Colorado Connections Academy schools are encouraged to attend an online information session to learn more, ask questions and discover if virtual school is the right fit for their student. To learn more about the school or to begin the enrollment process, please visit http://www.ColoradoConnectionsAcademy.com or call 800-382-6010.
About Colorado Connections Academy
Colorado Connections Academy schools are tuition-free, high-quality, highly accountable public online schools serving students in grades K-12 statewide. Colorado Connections Academy schools provide students with a safe, supportive learning environment and the flexibility to learn from anywhere there is an Internet connection. The combination of Colorado-certified teachers, an award-winning curriculum, personalized instruction, technology tools, and socialization experiences offers families and children an individualized approach to education. There are three Colorado Connections Academy schools operating in the state: Colorado Connections Academy Durango, authorized by the Durango Public School District 9-R, Colorado Summit Connections Academy, authorized by Education reEnvisioned BOCES, and Colorado Connections Academy @ 27J, authorized by Colorado School District 27J. For more information, call 800-382-6010 or visit http://www.ColoradoConnectionsAcademy.com.
Media Contact
Samantha Bryant, Colorado Connections Academy, 563-940-3795, [email protected]
SOURCE Colorado Connections Academy
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