Minnesota Connections Academy Begins 2025-2026 School Year Serving Students Statewide

Leading K-12 tuition-free virtual public school receives high marks on parent satisfaction survey

ST. PAUL, Minn., Aug. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- This week, faculty and staff at Minnesota Connections Academy, a K-12 statewide, tuition-free, online public school, welcomed new and returning students for the 2025-2026 academic year.

"We provide a welcoming community by building relationships and seeking to understand every member in our community on a personal level," said Minnesota Connections Academy Executive Director Brad Swanson. "Here, we want to know our students and their families—and we care deeply about those relationships. In order to provide the highest quality education, we have to know who our students are, what motivates them and what goals they have. With that knowledge, we can provide a welcoming community focused on student success."

Students are returning to school shortly after the release of the 2025 Parent Satisfaction Survey, an annual third-party survey that provides families with the opportunity to review their experience with Minnesota Connections Academy. According to the 2025 Parent Satisfaction Survey results:

• 98% of parents say their child is satisfied learning at Minnesota Connections Academy
• 97% of parents agree their child's teachers at Minnesota Connections Academy are supportive
• 97% of parents agree the Minnesota Connections Academy program is flexible
• 97% of parents agree the Minnesota Connections Academy program gives them greater opportunity to be more involved with their child's education
• 96% of parents agree the Minnesota Connections Academy program prepares their child for future success

The 2025-26 academic year marks another year of Minnesota Connections Academy's expanded College and Early Career Readiness program for middle and high school students. Building on its success, this refined offering integrates traditional academic subjects with industry-leading, career-focused options like IT, business, health sciences and marketing. This program equips students with durable skills like leadership, critical thinking and teamwork. Students can participate in career exploration and industry networking opportunities to build confidence, make connections and find direction to prepare for their future.

Michael Hasapopoulos, an administrator for the school, shared, "At Minnesota Connections Academy, we believe in fostering a strong foundation for literacy by cultivating insightful readers, skilled writers and effective communicators. The emphasis on structured literacy components empowers our young learners to become confident readers and emerging writers."

Minnesota Connections Academy offers a comprehensive virtual school experience that keeps students motivated and engaged with a strong circle of support and a deep sense of belonging. The school's team of supportive and experienced educators, specially trained in online instruction, establish meaningful connections with students helping them achieve their full potential and reach their goals. Parents and caregivers are involved in the learning journey as their child's Learning Coach, serving as their mentor and guide through the school day.

Virtual school is a great fit for a variety of students and each student is unique. Those who attend Minnesota Connections Academy come from different backgrounds and choose full-time online school for various reasons. Some students prefer to take ownership of their education and benefit from the flexibility that virtual school offers, while others are looking for a consistent, safe learning environment.

Enrollment for the 2025-26 school year is still open. Families interested in learning more about Minnesota Connections Academy are encouraged to attend an online information session to learn more, ask questions and discover if virtual school is the right fit for their students. To learn more about the school or to begin the enrollment process, visit www.MinnesotaConnectionsAcademy.com or call 1-833-591-0251.

About Minnesota Connections Academy

Minnesota Connections Academy is a unique, tuition-free, online public school for K-12 students. Every day, we create a high-quality educational experience that keeps students motivated and engaged in a safe, virtual learning environment. In addition to academics, teachers focus on building fundamental life skills, working closely with families to help students learn how they learn best. Here, students gain the skills and confidence they need to direct their own educational journey, learning to thrive in the real world by first learning how to be resourceful and resilient. For more information, call 1-833-591-0251 or visit www.MinnesotaConnectionsAcademy.com.

Survey methodology

Connections Academy conducts the annual Parent Satisfaction Survey to find out how parents, guardians and Learning Coaches grade the program in several key areas. The 2024-2025 School Year survey was conducted from January 15 to February 26, 2025 by Shapiro + Raj, an independent market research company that created the questionnaire, collected the data and tabulated the results. Parents and caretakers of all students enrolled at the time of the survey were invited to complete the survey online.

SOURCE Connections Academy