Families interested in Durango School District 9-R’s new online offering, Colorado Connections Academy @ Durango, can explore whether it will work for their child at an information session Tuesday.
A free public school, the academy offers Colorado-certified teachers teaching a curriculum that covers not only the basics such as math, science, language arts and social studies, but Advanced Placement and honors courses, career and vocational education and electives including foreign languages, game design and digital art.
It offers another online choice in addition to the programming provided through the San Juan Board of Cooperative Services, 9-R Superintendent Dan Snowberger said.
“We’ll keep both in the repertoire of offerings so we can match students with the right option,” he said at the time of the signing. “Colorado Connections Academy has a good track record, with performance much higher than other online options, with similar rates to brick-and-mortar schools.”
The academy has more than 30 branches across the United States. The district’s agreement to authorize the academy for students in Colorado was signed in March, and it was endorsed by the Colorado Department of Education and the State Board of Education.
Enrollment is now open. Connections Academy @ Durango will offer classes for kindergartners through 10th grade for the 2016-2017 school year. It can be of benefit for parents who home-school, students who travel frequently for activities, honors students looking to learn skills not available at a 9-R high schools and students who may be struggling with a subject, Snowberger said.
abutler@durangoherald.com
If you go
Durango School District 9-R and Colorado Connections Academy @ Durango will hold an information session at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the DoubleTree Hotel, 501 Camino del Rio. Families will have the opportunity to explore the curriculum, meet faculty members and learn about the academy’s personalized instruction.
The online public school is also holding several online events, including a virtual tour, presentations by families and other information sessions. Visit www.connectionsacademy.com/colorado-online-school/learn-more/events to learn more.
