Oregon’s Newest Online Public School Opens Enrollment
By Shannon Weidemann (McKone) on Monday, March 1st, 2021 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
PRAIRIE CITY – (Release from Oregon Connections Academy) Oregon Connections Academy, a tuition-free, full-time online public school is now enrolling students in grades K-12 for the upcoming 2021-22 year. The school’s charter is sponsored by the Prairie City School District in Eastern Oregon. Oregon Connections Academy recently began serving students in grades K-5 for the second semester of the 2020-21 school year, and will expand to serve grades K-12 in the fall.
“We are proud to work together with our district partner and sponsor, Prairie City School District, to bring Oregon families another quality virtual school solution, especially during a time when full-time online school has seen unprecedented interest,” said Kevin McAdams, Oregon Connections Academy School Board Chair. “Our school provides learning plans that are flexible and can be uniquely tailored to meet students’ individual needs and abilities so they can learn how they learn best.”
As school districts across the state have worked to provide distance learning opportunities for students through the pandemic, many parents are turning to Connections Academy for its expertise in providing a high-quality online program built specifically for the virtual environment.
Oregon Connections Academy provides students with the continuous support of state-certified teachers and curriculum that focuses on both academics and social-emotional learning, while helping them gain the skills and confidence they need to thrive in a changing world.
“Online school has been a popular option for Oregonians across the state, even before the pandemic,” shared Miranda Pickner, Oregon Connections Academy Principal. “We know that families will remain interested in a safe, supportive online learning environment that provides personal attention from teachers, even when the public health crisis is over.”
At Oregon Connections Academy 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. Parents or other trusted adults serve as “Learning Coaches” helping teachers provide the support and structure students need by setting daily routines, ensuring attendance, and that student work is complete.
The school serves students statewide from a diversity of backgrounds and education histories, ranging from those who are academically ahead or struggling in a traditional school setting to those who experience health challenges or bullying.
Some students benefit from the personal attention they receive from teachers to stay motivated and engaged while others benefit from access to advanced courses, extracurricular activities, and flexible scheduling that helps them to take ownership of their own unique educational journey.
“Our partnership with Oregon Connections Academy will provide students all over the state the opportunity to learn,” said Casey Hallgarth, Prairie City School District Superintendent. “The ability to offer another form of education to students is so critical. Not all students fit in the brick and mortar as well as not all students fit the online schooling. We have been pushed to learn this concept because of the pandemic. I look forward to our partnership with Oregon Connections Academy and to help provide every student the ability to learn in their own way.”
Oregon Connections Academy is looking forward to offering families across the state, especially in rural parts, a new high-quality educational experience. With the new Prairie City School District partnership, Oregon Connections Academy will demonstrate its pioneering spirit by blazing new trails in education providing an online learning experience that helps students become well-rounded and resourceful individuals.
For additional information about virtual education and enrollment, the Oregon Connections Academy is hosting online information sessions. To learn more go to
www.OregonConnectionsAcademy.com/Events.
For more information about Oregon Connections Academy or to start the enrollment process please call (800) 382-6010 or visit www.OregonConnectionsAcademy.com
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About Oregon Connections Academy
Oregon Connections Academy is a unique, tuition-free, online public school for K-12 students across Oregon. Authorized by the Prairie City School District but overseen by its own governing board and school leadership, Oregon Connections Academy offers a high-quality educational experience that keeps students motivated and engaged in a safe, virtual learning environment. In addition to academics, teachers focus on emotional well-being and social development, 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 800-382-6010 or visit www.OregonConnectionsAcademy.com.
