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Is it possible to teach your children in the privacy of your own home without actually homeschooling them? I did not think so, that is until I ran across this unique website that could not only save you time and money but could give your child the best possible chance at a bright future. The site I am talking about is Connections Academy. While looking through the site and reading all their material I was blown away. It really is one of those things that is too good to be true.

Let’s get right down to it. This unique websites focus is on educating your child at no cost to you. Please re-read the last sentence as many times as you need to in order to get a handle on it. Yeap, it is completely free. Wait a minute, I am sure to have to buy expensive text books? Nope, they are included as well. The only thing you have to pay for is any optional field trips you attend.

How does Connections Academy Work?

The student is at the center of the Connections Academy program. Students learn outside the traditional classroom—typically from home, but also from libraries, community centers, and occasionally from the road.

Assisting the student in day-to-day activities is an adult Learning Coach, typically a parent, but also could be another family member or responsible adult caregiver. Please review the role of a parent or legal guardian by reviewing the Regulatory Program Description.

The teacher directs the learning, working directly with both the student and Learning Coach to develop an individual learning plan, provide instruction, and evaluate assignments. Connections Academy teachers work together from centralized offices, providing coordinated support and accountability that often can not be achieved with teachers working on their own.

Connections Academy provides each student with textbooks, lesson plans, online resources and other curriculum materials. At the start of school we send you a shipment of materials including, for schools where it is offered, a desktop computer. Instruction and administration is conducted through the Internet, by telephone, and by mail. Connections also are made through in-person activities, such as planned field trips and informal gatherings.

How do they make money

Connections Academy schools are operated under contract to non-profit organizations that are either charter schools or governmental entities.

What Curriculum and Subjects will be taught? 

Connections Academy provides comprehensive lesson plans, both online and in print in all core subjects like reading and math, along with exciting enrichment courses. Visit our curriculum to learn more. Our proven curriculum incorporates materials developed by leading educational institutions as well as lessons developed by our own curriculum specialists. The curriculum providers include McGraw-Hill, Calvert School, Prentice Hall, and Houghton Mifflin, to list just a few.

Connections Academy offers Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Geography. Our curriculum also includes Art, Physical Education, Music, Home Life, Foreign Language, Technology Literacy, and other enrichment courses. Course offerings vary by state and grade level.

Will my child be required to take standardized tests, and where?

Yes. All students must complete the standardized tests that are required in their state or district. We also provide a test preparation program to develop the skills that our students will need to perform well on many types of assessments. Your Connections Academy school will arrange testing locations throughout the state and will inform you in advance of where and when your child is scheduled to attend.

Isn’t this the same as homeschooling?

Although Connections Academy and home schooling have some similar attributes, Connections Academy is not home schooling. All Connections Academy schools are public school programs. Connections Academy schools provide a defined set of curriculum materials that have been specifically aligned to local standards and use certified teachers to evaluate student performance, including decisions concerning the child’s grade level promotion. All Connections Academy students are required to take state standardized tests and the schools are accountable for the students’ performance to regulatory authorities.

 As of the time of this post it looks like they offer their service in 16 states with 6 more on the way.

My wife at one time considered homeschooling our little girl. I was not and still am not too keen on the idea. Don’t put any words into what I just said. There is absolutely nothing wrong with homeschooling. It is just not my cup of tea. Now Connections Academy on the other hand, I really would consider a program similar to that.

Summary

Have you ever wanted your cake and got to eat it too. If you are a parent that wanted to home school your children but really wasn’t sure about your abilities and skills - this is an answered prayer. An accredited K-12 school system that cost nothing to enroll and charges nothing for the textbooks. This is certainly a program some of you should check out.

You can check out Connections Academy at: http://www.connectionsacademy.com/