Leading Virtual Education Provider Establishes New Corporate Entity – Connections Education Reflects Expansion, New Corporate Structure

BALTIMORE--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--A new corporate entity called Connections Education has been established to meet the growing demand for quality K-12 online learning. The new company is the result of an expansion by leading virtual school provider, Connections Academy, and supports a new corporate structure. Connections Education consists of two education-focused divisions including the newly created Connections Learning (www.ConnectionsLearning.com) that will serve educational institutions and other organizations, both in the U.S. and internationally, with e-learning solutions. The company’s full-time virtual public schools – expected to serve 40,000 students in the 2011-2012 school year – will continue to operate under the Connections Academy name.

“We are very excited about our range of e-learning solutions, and our expanded ability to partner with educational institutions to provide a wide variety of online learning experiences for their students”

“This expansion is a natural step for Connections Education,” commented Barbara Dreyer, Chief Executive Officer for Connections Education. “Since we founded our company a decade ago, we have partnered with many different educational institutions to run high quality, highly accountable full-time virtual public schools. In that time, our partners have told us they’re seeking additional e-learning services and programs to meet a number of other student needs. Connections Education is prepared to meet this demand with our wide range of K-12 online learning services and we welcome the opportunity to work with schools and other institutions to best serve their students.”

The restructuring and new corporate entity also come as the company celebrates ten years of operation – a notable tenure in the emergent field of K-12 online learning. Since 2001, the company has promoted quality virtual education and been a driving force in establishing industry standards in the areas of accountability, accreditation, teacher quality and professional development, and more. Yet, as Connections Education expands, its mission remains the same – to advance quality education through technology and help students achieve both academic and personal success.

Sharing this mission is the new Connections Learning division, which was created in response to increasing educator and parent demand.

Connections Learning will deliver a comprehensive suite of virtual education products and services that span the e-learning spectrum, and will help educators meet a variety of student needs. Connections Learning e-learning solutions include: turnkey online courses for K-12; hybrid programs that deliver virtual instruction in a face-to-face setting; a homebound student program; online summer school; a credit recovery program; online speech therapy services; the Connexus™ digital learning platform; 21st Century Skills; Start a School; and a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) package with courses, clubs and other resources.

“We are very excited about our range of e-learning solutions, and our expanded ability to partner with educational institutions to provide a wide variety of online learning experiences for their students,” commented the president for Connections Learning, Dr. Steven Guttentag. “Of particular importance to educators seeking quality online learning solutions is the fact that Connections Learning products have been field-tested in Connections Academy virtual schools across the country for years and are backed by a proven track record of success.”

More than 300 schools, school districts, state departments of education and other educational institutions, serving tens of thousands of students throughout the United States and beyond, are already utilizing Connections Learning products and services.

Educators seeking more information about Connections Learning offerings can visit www.ConnectionsLearning.com.

Connections Learning’s e-learning solutions are built on the Connections Academy educational model which has a clear record of academic success that stands out among online learning providers. It combines personalized learning, certified teachers, a rigorous, proven curriculum, and 21^st century technology tools to create supportive and successful online learning experiences. Hallmarks of Connections Academy programs include superior, personalized education for students, and the freedom and flexibility to learn anytime, anywhere.

About Connections Education

Connections Education is a leading, fully accredited provider of high-quality, highly accountable virtual education solutions for students in grades K–12. The company’s Connections Academy virtual public schools combine personalized learning, certified teachers, a rigorous, proven curriculum, and 21^st century technology tools to create supportive and successful online learning experiences. In the 2011-2012 school year, 23 Connections Academy virtual public schools in 22 states expect to serve more than 40,000 students. A private, National Connections Academy delivers the Connections Academy virtual school experience to students worldwide. The company’s Connections Learning division meets the needs of schools, school districts, and other organizations looking to develop and enhance their online learning programs. Connections Learning delivers a full range of targeted digital learning solutions to the K-12 education community including online courses, clubs and activities, a program for homebound students, a digital learning platform, and more. More than 300 schools, school districts, state departments of education and other educational institutions, serving tens of thousands of students throughout the United States and beyond, are already utilizing Connections Learning products and services. Connections Education is committed to expanding quality education through technology and helping students achieve both academic and personal success.