Willamette Connections Academy
Willamette Connections Academy
Grades K-12
Curriculum: 100% online all grades
Stipend: None
High School: Standard diploma, honors and AP courses
Meetings: [TBD, as determined by teachers]
**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.**
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
None. Laptop provided for K-8
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
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.
[TBD, likely none]
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 classes are all provided by WCA, and include honors and AP options, as well as dual-enrollment. No community college options.
None
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.
Parents and teachers establish a regular communication schedule for the personalized learning plan, depending on the needs of the student. [TBD how often]
SBAC annually, plus [TBD] progress monitoring assessments two or three times per year.
Online application via their enrollment portal, and send in various eligibility and school record documents.