Nevada Connections Academy Receives State's Top Virtual School Rating; Kicks Off 2010-2011 School Year

RENO, Nev., Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Nevada's virtual public school, Nevada Connections Academy (NCA), announced today that it has achieved across-the-board success in making adequate yearly progress (AYP) toward the educational goals for grades K-12 as defined by the federal No Child Left Behind Act and Nevada Senate Bill 1. Nevada Connections Academy is the only virtual school in the state of Nevada to receive this rating for all grades K-12.  This is the second year in a row that NCA has met the student progress measure.  Enrollment is still going on for Nevada Connections Academy and students must enroll by September 17th to secure their virtual seat for the 2010-2011 school year.

NCA's top rated virtual school status comes on the heels of other good news for the virtual academy.  Nevada Connections Academy recently was awarded accreditation by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools (NAAS). The rigorous, months-long, accreditation process and subsequent designation provide a valuable "seal of approval" for families in the process of choosing a school for their child.  Additionally, the results of a recent NCA parent satisfaction survey show that 93% of parents reported that their children are making good academic progress, arguably the keenest evaluation of a child's education. And 95% of NCA parents actively recommend the program to other families whose children are not currently enrolled in the program.  

"At Nevada Connections Academy we place the highest emphasis on the quality of education we provide to our students," said Jennifer Dukek, Nevada Connections Academy principal. "We are pleased that parents and students alike feel the education NCA provides is working for them and have given the program such accolades."

Nevada Connections Academy is Nevada's tuition-free virtual public school where students receive a high-quality, personalized, public education outside the traditional classroom. Increased parental demand for innovative school options and virtual education coupled with NCA's recent accomplishments are driving enrollment in the virtual academy which expects to enroll over 1,700 students in the 2010-2011 school year.

In preparation for the new school year, Nevada Connections Academy students across the state are receiving special 'back-to-school' boxes – delivered to their doorsteps – filled with learning materials for the virtual school year.  

VIDEO: Click here to see a Connections Academy family opening their back-to-school box.

The back-to-school boxes, while comprehensive, are just one small part of the NCA's virtual school program. Connections Academy's certified teachers and their relationships with the students and families, coupled with a rigorous, high-quality curriculum, will really define the Connections Academy school experience, and contribute to students' academic success.

The nationally accredited Connections Academy program includes a curriculum combining high quality textbooks from leading publishers with cutting-edge, yet easy-to-use, technology resources and hands-on materials. Students work closely with their parents, or other "Learning Coaches," and state-certified teachers, using detailed daily lesson plans personalized to meet individual student needs.

Accountability is central to NCA's mission and all students are expected to meet the same levels of accountability and complete the same state standardized tests as students at traditional public schools. NCA will serve a wide range of students, including those who are significantly ahead or behind in the classroom; students who benefit from highly individualized instruction; or who want a flexible school schedule.

For more information about Nevada Connections Academy, please visit http://www.connectionsacademy.com/nevada-school/home or call 800-382-6010.

About Connections Academy

Connections Academy is a leading national provider of high-quality, highly accountable virtual public and private schools in the U.S. for students in grades K–12. Connections Academy schools deliver top quality, personalized education for students that combines certified teachers, a proven curriculum, technology tools, and community experiences to create a supportive and successful environment for children who want an individualized approach to education. In Connections Academy's Personalized Performance Learning® approach, students use daily lesson plans and curriculum materials provided by Connections Academy. Teachers develop a learning plan for each student, whose progress is tracked through a proprietary, web-based Learning Management System. In the 2010–11 school year, Connections Academy will serve students in Arizona, California (Southern and Central), Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming through its public school programs. It serves students in all states in the U.S. through the online private school, National Connections Academy. Connections Academy offers grades K through 12, though some schools do not offer all grades. For more information, call 800-382-6010 or visit www.ConnectionsAcademy.com.

SOURCE Nevada Connections Academy