Arizona Connections Academy

My daughter is finishing up her first year at Connections Academy. I will admit we had a rough start with getting into a routine and there have been hiccups along the way but overall we are very happy with our decision to move from a public school to Connections. The field trips offered were amazing, her teachers call and discuss projects, classwork, and spend the time to talk to her. The curriculum was a bit harder than the public school environment and more is expected of the students which is a very good thing. We will be continuing here for 8th grade and she wants to go to high school here as well.
—Submitted by a parent

Arizona Connections Academy is an excellent school and we are very pleased with the teachers, staff and curriculum. They truly care about our kids and go the extra mile to help them succeed.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been with ACA since last August. My son's teacher is awesome and makes a huge effort to help whenever needed. She is quick to respond to webmails/phone calls and always gives my son appropriate feedback on submitted work. My son looks forward to the weekly live lessons with his teacher. The curriculum is very thorough and we enjoy the online supplements of programs like Brain Pop. We are very happy that the school provides a loaner computer and internet stipend if needed. Bottom line a much better experience that I expected coming from trying another virtual school in the past that was a night and day difference for us. The biggest difference for us is we are treated like individuals as opposed to a number in the system. All the staff a ACA have been very helpful and welcoming from day one. We have had a great experience with the school and highly recommend them. I have another student joining the school this coming fall and am beyond pleased with this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Putting my child here was one of the worst things I could of done! They lack in communication and lack in trying to help the student! Some of her teachers were awesome with trying to reach out and do as much as they could however, the admin part of this school is horrible! no one there takes accountability for thier actions. when I finally withdrew my child no one even called to follow up. The new school she was attending needed additional paperwork and tried to contact the registrar and over and over I called with no call back. It has been frustrating and the sad part is that my child is not in school becauase we are STILL waiting for paperwork! Its really sad that they make your child and you feel like a faceless number without feelings, they keep on passing the buck instead of owning the situation and resolving the problem. if they had spent as much time with my student as i have been spending on trying to get them to help me and call me back she would of been successful.
—Submitted by a parent

Putting our children in ACA was the best thing we did. I was skeptical about online schools for the following reasons: Social interaction-between live lessons, field trips and emails, my children have made more GOOD friends at ACA than at any of their previous schools. I'd have to grade everything-my middle schooler has a teacher for every subject, a live lesson with them every week, they grade assignments, offer help and know my kids & family better than any of their previous teachers. My elementary child has a phenomenal teacher that grades her bigger assignments. I do have more responsibility for her schoolwork, but it's not difficult. If I ever do have a question ACA provides a guidebook and I can contact her teacher anytime. Reasons I started looking into ACA: Flexibility of schedule-love it! If they need to sleep in they can, if they want to start early they can, if they want to work ahead, they can. My youngest did 1 1/2 years of math curriculum in a year, she'll pick up where she left off next year. No brick & mortar would be able to facilitate that pace. There are so many more reasons why we love ACA, but I'm running out of characters. Check it out for yourself!
—Submitted by a parent

We have been ACA members for 2 years and absolutely love it. I am a high school math teacher and ACA's curriculum far surpasses our public schools. They teach to each student individually where I have to teach to the low student. The flexibility is amazing. The teachers care about their students and give extra time when and where needed. My son is now in the 8th grade and is already asking if he must attend the high school I work at. The answer is no. He is excelling at ACA. I can't thank them enough for all they do.
—Submitted by a parent

During this 2011-12 school year, my daughter's high school English teacher met with her at the local public library and tutored her one-on-one in person to help her pass the AIMS Writing test. And she did pass! She was just ecstatic. This is only one instance where the teachers of Arizona Connections Academy has gone over and above the normal to help students achieve their potential in the past 5 years. Thank you Connections Academy.
—Submitted by a parent

Do not enroll your student here. Their lack of effort speaks volumes! They will withdraw your student for non truths.
—Submitted by a parent

Connections gives the same curriculum the child would have at typical brick and mortar schools. We have 80% textbook/workbook work, and 20% online work, including a Live Lesson from the teacher and his classmates once a week. We check in with his teacher every other week by phone for a half hour, and emails are exchanges freely between us, if there is ever a question. I'm really happy with the quality of the curriculum, its the same as our high performing public elementary school. Connections was just acquired by Pearson, so you know the best textbook and materials will be at hand in the future. We use Discovery Science, Brain Pop and AIMS test prep, which are all very high quality. We are extremely happy with our teacher-has an Ivy school Masters, and cares about our student. We have field trips and park days, behind the scenes corporate tours and other opportunities to connect with other kids. This program is ideal for those needing flexibility in school, my kiddo loves it and is an A student. He is learning, has great teacher attention-and form time to time we'll get schoolwide updates about clubs and other special interest groups. Az Connections is great.
—Submitted by a parent

The overall program isn't that bad, but they really lack in the communication skills area. There were many times that my daughter's (2 of them, 6th and 7th) had their Live Lessons canceled and we weren't notified until the last minute or hour before the session would start. There were several times that we would plan a day out but schedule to be back in time for a Live Lesson only to find out that once again the session was canceled. There were too many sessions canceled and there was never a Sub-Teacher to fill in. The Spanish teacher did a poor job with keeping up with grades and grading papers. Also, the communication skills were lacking sorely. We have withdrawn our children from Connections Academy. When I spoke with one Administrator regarding my frustrations with the school (hoping to help them in the future), I was met with the typical Administrative blow-off. Nothing is ever their fault.
—Submitted by a parent

Our son started at Look Out Mountain (Kindergarten), but it only took us 6 months of that to realize that the typical public school has majorly changed for the worse since I was in school. Then we found Connections Academy. We Love Connections and so does out son. Next year will be our 4th year with Connections. If Connections was ever shut down, I would buy the books and teach our son over going back to any typical Public School. Go Connections Academy!
—Submitted by a parent

We started with Conenctions Academy for the 2009-2010 school year. After we moved within a new school district I was not happy with the test scores and larger class sizes. I researched different schools and found Connections Academy. The first year was a tough start, mostly because I was a little unprepared. But half way through we got a good system going. This year has been great, currently my daughter is in the 7th Grade. The curriculum is outstanding, the communication with teachers is awesome. They have a great online Learning Management System that is easy to use. * You get all the books and materials delivered right to your door by UPS. * Relaxed learning environment. * Tuition FREE * Field Trips, Clubs and activities * Great interactive Live Lessons If you are thinking about a program like this look into Connections Academy. www.connectionsacademy.com
—Submitted by a parent

Arizona Connections Academy and the virtual schooling it provides is the perfect fit. The children have the best of both world. They have teachers who are there when you need them via live lessons, telephone or email. Always a response in 24 hours, but most of the time almost instantly or that day. My kids are thriving working ahead and really learning the material with you the distraction of an oversized classroom. Now they are recieving a quality education, with pleanty of time for extras, without the stress of homework each night. Being their Learning Coach has allowed me to be involved without having to be their teacher. I can't recommend the program highly enough.
—Submitted by a parent

The reviews on this second page do not describe an online school. I am looking for reviews on the connections academy on line public school.

My son is in the 6th grade and attending Arizona Connections Academy this year. Previously, he went to a traditional public school. Connections is a great school. It is very organized and there is always help if and when you need it. I find the curriculum to be excellent. It is a public school and your child is expected to be in school a certain number of hours each week. The parent is expected to take attendance and be there to provide support for the student when needed. Obviously, depending on the age of your child, more or less support may be needed. I am very involved with checking schoolwork, studying, and reviewing as necessary. The best part is, there isn't any homework for the most part other than an occasional test that needs extra study or a project that needs a little more time than the six hours provides. That leaves plenty of time for any extra curricular activities without the stress of knowing you have 3 hours of homework to go home to afterwards. I also like the fact that if we need to go out of town, his schoolwork is all computer based.
—Submitted by a parent

An outstanding alternative to traditional district schools. Students can work at the appropriate pace and placement, taking more time in some subjects as needed, and getting ahead in others.
—Submitted by a parent

great ! For the flu season , you take no risk of learning , really good school you may have . My child really enjoy with this school , health and neat job , I recommend it. watch your child to learn , great school you should select , a high quality education place you have to choose.
—Submitted by a parent

I would NOT recommend this school. Being an online school it is very important to be able to reach someone when you need assistance. I cannot reach anyone to get help with the issue I am having. I have called and been placed on hold which never gets answered. I have emailed and asked them to call me. A week after I sent the email I received the read receipt and then a vague non-helpful answer in an email but they still won't call and discuss the issue with me. This is VERY FRUSTRATING!!!
—Submitted by a parent

When we found Arizona Connections Academy we pulled our son out of Lookout Mountian 1/2 way through the year. Arizona Connections Academy is great! Our Son is doing so much better
—Submitted by a parent

What drew me to this school, was the small class sizes, and their phonics based curriculum. What has kept us at this school, is the loving and caring teachers and staff. Mrs. Scorza(the principal)meets every child at the front door each morning, and greets them all by name. The office staff is very friendly and helpful. The teachers, are dedicated to meeting the needs of each individual child. Class sizes, are no more than 20 children in a class. Mrs. Scorza is always available for questions, comments, and concerns. Parent involvement is highly encouraged. Wonderful experience for our first year of school! The one thing I would like to see added to the curriculum is a second language...
—Submitted by a parent