North Carolina Connections Academy Approved to Open in the 2015-2016 School Year
Durham, NC (PRWEB) February 05, 2015 -- Families with children in grades K-9 from across North Carolina will have an exciting new public school option in the 2015-2016 school year. North Carolina Connections Academy (NCCA) has been approved by the North Carolina State Board of Education to deliver full-time, tuition-free, public education to students from across the state through a public virtual charter school pilot program. Information sessions for families are being planned across the state.
The Academy will combine North Carolina-certified teachers, an award-winning curriculum, technology tools, engaging electives, and social experiences to create a supportive and successful online learning program for families and students who want an individualized approach to education. As a public virtual charter school, all students will be required to take the same state assessments as traditional school students measuring their mastery of North Carolina state academic standards. North Carolina Connections Academy will begin serving students in the month of August 2015.
The public virtual school’s charter agreement is held by a non-profit organization, North Carolina for Quality Virtual Education, Inc. The school is governed by a board of directors composed of North Carolina residents, while its curriculum and other services are contracted through Connections Education, a leading provider of high-quality, highly accountable digital learning solutions and accredited by AdvancED.
Bryan Setser, Board President of North Carolina Connections Academy commented, “We are proud to provide a high-quality school option to families throughout North Carolina. NCCA will provide families a full-time, online public education tailored to each student’s unique learning style and needs. It will also provide North Carolina educators a professional environment that is on the leading edge of digital learning. We look forward to watching North Carolina students thrive in its innovative school environment in the months and years ahead.”
NCCA will 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 rural communities. Homebound and previously home-schooled students can also thrive in NCCA’s program.
In preparation for its inaugural academic year, the virtual school will identify a teaching and learning center, as well as hire a principal and its team of teachers and administrators who will be based in North Carolina. All NCCA students will participate in the nationally accredited Connections Academy program that combines high-quality resources from leading publishers with leading-edge, yet easy-to-use, technology tools and hands-on materials. Students will work closely with certified North Carolina teachers using detailed daily lesson plans that can be personalized to meet individual student needs. A parent, or another caring adult “Learning Coach,” will monitor student progress.
“By combining technology and highly effective teachers, we look forward to providing a flexible and creative learning environment that empowers every student with knowledge and character traits to be successful in their endeavors,” said Setser, a Durham resident.
NCCA can initially enroll up to 1,500 students from across the state in grades K-9 and grow in subsequent years. A grade level will be added each school year until the fourth year of operation, increasing enrollment until the school serves a maximum of 2,592 students in grades K-12.
An initial open enrollment period for North Carolina Connections Academy for the 2015-2016 school year could begin as early March 3, 2015. Interested parents and students are encouraged to learn more online at http://www.Facebook.com/NorthCarolinaConnectionsAcademy or at one of the many upcoming in-person or online information sessions offered by the school.
About North Carolina Connections Academy
North Carolina Connections Academy (NCCA) is a tuition-free, virtual public charter pilot school for students in grades K-9. The school was approved in February 2015 by the North Carolina State Board of Education and will deliver a fully-accredited education beginning in the 2015-2016 school year. NCCA 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 North Carolina-based 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 800-382-6010 or visit http://www.Facebook.com/NorthCarolinaConnectionsAcademy.
Media Contact:
LaWanda Stone
Connections Education
443-873-1824
lstone(at)connectionseducation(dot)com
LaWanda Stone, Connections Education, +1 (443) 873-1824, [email protected]
Share this article