Frequently Asked Questions About Ohio Connections Academy (2025)

Families choose Ohio Connections Academy because they trust us to give their children a unique, personalized school experience where students can learn and grow.

Ohio Connections Academy provides a complete, full-time education for children—one that includes all the core courses, electives, and social opportunities K‒12 students need. Caring teachers specialize in online learning and work with parents. Together, they set individual goals and ensure that students learn. Ohio Connections Academy prepares children for a bright future—whether that includes college, technical training, or career readiness.

• First-Class Curriculum: Our program features curriculum developed by leading educational publishers. Connections Academy families receive a combination of textbooks*, online textbooks, workbooks, comprehensive lesson plans, and exciting enrichment courses.
• Exceptional Teaching: Connections Academy’s professional teachers work one-on-one with students and their parents to instruct, review assignments, and customize the curriculum. Our teachers provide extra help for struggling or gifted students.
• State-of-the-Art Technology: Families receive online communication, planning, and learning management tools; online lessons and library resources; and technology literacy courses. Families may receive a computer and subsidy for Internet access**.

*Availability of print textbooks varies by state and course.

**Availability of computer equipment and Internet access varies by state.

Visit theenrollment pagefor more information.

Ohio Connections Academy (OCA) students are required by the Ohio Department of Education to work 920 hours during a full school year.* To meet this requirement, students must work 5.5 hours and complete 4–6 self-guided lessons each school day (the number of lessons is based on the student’s current grade-level requirements), for a total of 27.5 hours and the completion of 20–25 self-guided lessons each week. OCA students are able to work any day of the week (Saturdays and Sundays included) and during the hours that work best for them. Parents/Learning Coaches will record all online and offline hours for their students when they are working on their daily self-guided lessons through Pearson Online Classroom (formerly known as Connexus®). Any additional activities cannot be recorded as hours until the student is caught up and current on all daily coursework.

* Students enrolling after OCA’s first day of school will have their total required attendance hours reduced based on their actual enrollment date.

The online public school program is free, including all of the books and curriculum. The only costs are the optional field trips, which are organized by your school’s community coordinators and staff, school supplies,and in some cases computers & internet.Computers and/or internet subsidy options are available at select schools.

Learnmore about Connections Academy Costs

Connections Academy offers core courses in language arts/English, mathematics, science, and social studies. Thecurriculumalso includes art, physical education, music, home life, world languages, technology literacy, and other enrichment courses. At many schools, gifted and talented, honors, and Advanced Placement®* courses are available for students who qualify. Course offerings vary by state and grade level.

*AP®and Advanced Placement®are registered trademarks of the College Board. Used with permission.

Visit theSpecial Education pageto learn more about accommodations for students.

Connections Education isaccredited by Cognia, formerly AdvancED, an organization representing 34,000 public and private schools and districts across the United States and in 70 countries worldwide. Many of the Connections Academy–supported schools are accredited by one or more of six regional accrediting organizations for higher education institutions recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the United States Department of Education.

The curriculum is designed by experienced leaders in online learning. It meets national and individual state standards and has earned numerous awards from national organizations for educational content and learning technology. In addition, parents consistently rate the curriculum as high quality in our annualParent Satisfaction Survey.

Visit theenrollment pageto get started!

Check theenrollment pageto find the following:

• Grades offered.
• The age that a child must be to start school in your state.
• The acceptable proof of age documents in your state.Any geographical restrictions for attending in your state.
• The acceptable proof of residency documents in your state.
• Restrictions for submitting immunization documentation.
• Types of immunizations (shots) your student must have for enrollment.
• Prior public schooling limitations.
• Supporting documentation.
• Types of documentation that may apply to your student that may need to be submitted.

Students who are 18 or over must meet age eligibility requirements in their state. Students must also submit academic documentation of all courses attempted since entering the 9th grade. Academic documentation will be reviewed by a school counselor to determine the student's eligibility to complete the program requirements before meeting the age cap for enrollment. Students who cannot complete the program requirements before meeting the age cap for enrollment are not eligible to enroll.

Both emancipated minors and students 18 years and older are required to complete the Parent/Legal Guardian (Caretaker) Acknowledgement (PLCA) form and to provide all required enrollment documentation before the student can enroll. Emancipated minors must also submit court documentation for their emancipation. Please contact the Enrollment Team at1-800-382-6010for more information.

That depends on you. The sooner you complete online enrollment forms and submit the required documents, the sooner your student will be enrolled. It typically takes two weeks or more to complete the entire enrollment process.

TIP:Log in to your caretaker homepage daily to review the student’s enrollment status and the verification of documents you submit.

After you have confirmed your student's enrollment with Connections Academy, you should withdraw your child from your previous/local school immediately—preferably the same day. Delaying withdrawal could result in confusion, extra documentation, or cancellation of enrollment.

Do not withdraw your student before confirming your student’s enrollment, as this may result in additional documentation being required (e.g. report card). Delays in submitting these documents could result in delays starting school.

Just like in a bricks-and-mortar school, the most successful students have parents who are involved in their education. We recommend that a parent or other trusted adult serve as a Learning Coach to support the student’s learning. Each family does this differently, and the role largely depends on the age of the student. For instance, students in high school are encouraged to work more independently, whereas elementary-age students will need more support while completing lessons. Some of the ways families may support learning include providing daily structure, communicating with teachers, and helping students stay on track.

Throughout a student’s education, Connections Academy teachers take the lead in ensuring student success. When first getting started, the Connections Academy Family Support Program provides ample resources to help families become acquainted with the online learning structure. Learn more about theresponsibilities of a Learning Coach.

Connections Academy knows that for students to achieve at the highest levels, they need not only a great academic program, but also the freedom to learn in a safe and comfortable setting. Parents and Learning Coaches also play a key role in creating this environment to ensure their child’s well-being. Below are some of the most important resources Connections Academy provides to ensure that students are safe and focused on learning:

Throughout a student’s education, Connections Academy teachers take the lead in ensuring student success. When first getting started, the Connections Academy Family Support Program provides ample resources to help families become acquainted with the online learning structure. Learn more about the responsibilities of a Learning Coach.

• All Connections Academy–provided computers are equipped with heightened Internet security settings and Internet filtering software that can be activated upon request by calling the Technical Support line at800-382-6010. If you are using your own computer, Technical Support can help you configure Internet security settings and find additional Internet filtering software.
• We provide an Internet safety course for students, parents, and Learning Coaches. The course contains valuable information about practicing safe behaviors online. This course is also required training for all Connections Academy school staff.
• Staff trainings regarding student safety are a critical part of the Connections Academy professional development plan. The Connections Academy course Students in Distress: Recognizing and Responding is designed to help teachers and other school staff become familiar with the signs of distress, such as from bullying/cyberbullying, neglect and abuse, or depression, or other problems that would keep students from doing their best. The course also teaches them how to respond promptly and professionally.
• Regular required contact between teachers and students helps teachers get to know each student individually. Educators who know their students are better able to note behaviors or attitudes that may indicate problems.
• Connections Academy strictly prohibits any form of bullying/cyberbullying, harassment, hazing, or other destructive actions that may cause emotional and/or physical harm to students. School policies regarding these prohibited behaviors are documented in the School Handbook: General Portion and the state-specific School Handbook Supplement.
• Each Connections Academy course contains a summary of web links so parents and Learning Coaches can quickly and easily noteany links that they may not wish to have their student access.
  

The amount of time a student spends on the computer varies by grade. Younger students spend approximately 15–30%, middle school students spend about 50–75%, and high school students spend about 80–90% of their school day working on the computer.*

*Time on the computer may vary based on the use of print textbooks or online textbooks. The availability of print textbooks varies by state and course.