New online public school now open for enrollment

OLYMPIA — Washington Connections Academy (WACA), a full-time virtual public school, has been approved by the Mary M. Knight School District to serve students in grades K-12 statewide.

Washington Connections Academy will begin serving grades K-8 in the 2016-17 school year. An additional grade will be added each subsequent school year.

The new school will deliver technology-enhanced, tuition-free, public school online to students statewide, according to spokeswoman Erin Fleming.

Enrollment for the 2016-17 school year is open. Interested families are encouraged to attend one of the information sessions being planned across the state and online. For a complete list of events, visit the school’s website.

Dr. Ellen Perconti, superintendent of the Mary M. Knight School District, believes that “a variety of learning options, including online courses and programs, is critical for 21st century learning” and looks forward to providing students across the state with this public school option.

Fleming said the academy will combine Washington-certified teachers, an award-winning curriculum, technology tools, engaging electives, and social experiences to create a supportive and successful online learning program.

Learning from home, students will work closely with licensed Washington teachers using detailed daily lesson plans that can be personalized to meet individual student needs. A parent, or another adult “learning coach,” monitors progress in the home.

Curriculum and other services are contracted through Connections Education, a leading provider of online learning that has been supporting schools for more than a decade.

For more information, call 800-382-6010 or www.connectionsacademy.com/washington-online-school