**NOTE: This is a new branch of the Connections Academy franchise. The branch used to be called “Oregon Connections Academy (ORCA)”, but the staff there decided to go independent and formed their own charter: Oregon Charter Academy – also with the abbreviation ORCA, just to be confusing :). Many of the former students stayed there.

This new “Willamette Connections Academy” has all the same features and rules as the old franchise but a new staff and location. I will update information as it is available.**

About the School

• Operated by national for-profit charter school company, Connections Academy

• Sponsoring district: Scio (near Albany)

• Office location: Scio

• Size: [TBD]

• Web site: https://www.connectionsacademy.com/oregon-virtual-school
  

Stipend / Allotment

None. Laptop provided for K-8

Curriculum

Curriculum is provided online for all grades, but for the younger grades the lessons include instructions for the parent as to what to teach, or chapters to read in a book, or activities to do.

Grades K-6

• Begin with a flexible schedule

• Devote 20-25 hours per week to learning

• Perform most of their schoolwork offline—reading books, writing, and completing assignments

• Spend 15–30% of each school day working on the computer

• Communicate weekly with teachers

Grades 7-8

• Follow a prescribed schedule, customized to individual student needs

• Devote 25-30 hours per week to learning

• Spend 50–75% of their school day working on the computer—attending LiveLesson® sessions, using interactive educational tools, or completing assignments from the online curriculum

• Blend online and offline work in their classes

• Communicate weekly with teachers

Grades 9-12

• Devote 30 or more hours per week to their studies

• Spend 80–90% of their school day working on the computer—attending LiveLesson® sessions, using interactive educational tools, or completing assignments from the online curriculum

• Learn primarily online

• Communicate weekly with teachers and advisors

Online Classes

All online content is provided by the Connections Academy national service, which has its own accredited courses. WCA teachers can modify a student's schedule if needed.

Teachers hold regular live sessions online to reinforce concepts and offer students a way to compare experiences, share ideas, and have fun working together as they learn. [TBD how often]

When help is needed, teachers may modify instruction or lessons, provide meaningful ways to practice skills, and offer helpful resources. They may arrange to work with a student in a small group or even one-on-one.

On Site Classes

[TBD, likely none]

Field Trips

Community coordinators, parents, and teachers arrange trips to venues such as museums, historic sites, botanical gardens, state parks, and even non-school-related outings like picnics, roller skating, and more. WCA also offers trips to local universities and career fairs.

High School Options

High school classes are all provided by WCA, and include honors and AP options, as well as dual-enrollment. No community college options.

Community College / Early College

None

Special Education Services

WCA provides a continuum of virtual special education services that range from consultation, curriculum accommodation and modification, collaboration with learning coaches and general education teachers, to virtual direct instruction.

Meetings, Check-Ins and Reports

Parents and teachers establish a regular communication schedule for the personalized learning plan, depending on the needs of the student. [TBD how often]

Standardized Testing

SBAC annually, plus [TBD] progress monitoring assessments two or three times per year.

Admissions

Online application via their enrollment portal, and send in various eligibility and school record documents.