The complex landscape of Ohio charter schools

Northeast Ohio has a big chunk of the so-called “bricks and mortar” charter schools, with just over 100 in the seven-county region. Cuyahoga County has 73 of them.

But many local charter students are among the more than 30,000 statewide who attend school by computer through the major online charters — Alternative Education Academy (also known as OHDELA), Buckeye Online School for Success, Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow, Ohio Connections Academy, Ohio Virtual Academy, Treca Digital Academy and Virtual Community School of Ohio.

Some districts have set up their own charter schools, which can operate online, such as in Akron and Lorain, or in classrooms, such as in Lakewood.

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North Canton Teen Talks About the Benefits of Online Schooling

Sometimes the high school setting isn’t for everyone.

Grace King found that early on while attending Hoover High School, and, instead of suffering through four years in a place she wasn’t comfortable, with people who she felt wouldn’t give her a chance, she did something.

Grace enrolled in the Ohio Connections Academy, a public virtual school where all her classes were taken online from her North Canton home. After two years, she got her diploma and now plans to attend the University of Akron in the fall.

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Online Summer School for Grades K-12: Credit Recovery, Enrichment

Ohio Connections Academy

Ohio Connections Academy

Say Hello to Colin Goodwin and His Portable Classroom

Colin Goodwin is going to be a senior next year, he has a respectable GPA and is currently eying colleges, but you won’t find him at Lakewood High School.

That’s because Goodwin – like a growing number of teens – decided to enroll in a virtual school called Ohio Connections Academy in order to receive his high school diploma.

Goodwin is one of more than 2,700 students enrolled at OCA, and statewide, he’s one of more than 32,000, virtual classroom consultant Heidi Mays said.

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Connections Academy TV Commercial — Online Learning Experience that Develops your Whole Child

Ohio Connections Academy

Ohio Connections Academy

Connections Education, Leading Virtual Education Provider, Wins Multiple 2011 International Distance Learning Awards

The company’s Connections Academy virtual public school division was honored with one of the USDLA’s top awards:  the “21st Century Award for Best Practices in Distance Learning” in the preK-12 category, for the quality and overall excellence of its virtual education model.  Raymond M. Lambert, seven-year Superintendent of Ohio Connections Academy, was recognized for his significant contributions to the distance learning field, taking home honors for Outstanding Leadership by an Individual in the Field of Distance Learning” in the Online Technology/PreK–12 category.  Finally, Connections Academy’s Earth Science course won a “Best Practices Award for Distance Learning Programming” in the PreK-12 category.

“As a premier organization for the entire distance learning profession, we are honoring Connections Education as a leader in the industry,” said Dr. John G. Flores, Executive Director of USDLA. “Connections Education, with its high quality Connections Academy virtual school model, stand-out educators and innovative curriculum has raised the bar of excellence for distance learning.  We are truly honored by Connections Education’s contributions to the distance learning industry.”

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Rutland family taking part in virtual school demonstration

RUTLAND — A Rutland family will travel to the Ohio Statehouse this week to participate in an Ohio Connections Academy (OCA) demonstration of a typical day of learning for students attending a virtual school.

Going from here to take part in the demonstration for Ohio Legislators will be Matthew Shiflet who is in the eighth grade and attends school on-line. He is the son of Jeff and Teresa Shiflet of Rutland. Mrs. Shiflet will accompany her son to Columbus for their day of virtual school at the Statehouse on Tuesday, Feb. 1.

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Charter school superintendent wins award

The Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools awarded the superintendent of Ohio Connections Academy, Ray Lambert, the School Leader of the Year award.

Ohio Connections is a statewide online K-12 school with branches in Mason and Hyde Park. It enrolls around 2,700 students statewide, 227 of whom live in Butler, Warren, Clermont and Hamilton counties. Connections is a charter school which means it is a public school but is run by an independent organization.

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Ohio Connections Academy Superintendent Named School Leader of The Year

Ray Lambert, superintendent of leading virtual charter school, Ohio Connections Academy (OCA), was named School Leader of the Year by the Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools (OAPCS). Lambert received the award during the Association’s 2010 State Conference on Nov. 12, 2010, for his contributions to increasing student achievement and enhancing the quality of education within Ohio’s charter schools.

“OAPCS’ State Conference Awards are designed to recognize and honor excellence in the charter schools movement,” said Bill Sims, president and CEO of OAPCS. “This honor speaks to Ray Lambert’s outstanding leadership of Ohio Connections Academy and the high-quality program being offered to Ohio students. OAPCS is pleased to recognize Ray’s leadership, dedication and tireless efforts to provide students with an exceptional education experience.”

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Toledo teen ballerina finds balance in virtual school

TOLEDO, OH — Every day students across Northwest Ohio wake up and go to school.

Meredith Garrison is no different… but her school is.

Meredith attends Ohio Connections Academy: a program featured as part of NBC’s “Education Nation” for its alternative, virtual approach to learning.

Meredith is a talented ballerina. Often she spends hours a day practicing and rehearsing.

“My friends will be like, ‘Why do you dance?’ and I’m like that’s basically asking me why I breathe, eat, sleep because it’s just my life and I love it,” said Meredith.

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