University View Academy, the state’s leading provider of high-quality, free public online charter schooling for grades K through 14, will host their high school graduation Saturday, May 27 at The Raising Canes Baton Rouge Civic Center, 275 S River Rd. at 3 p.m. for nearly 200 graduates from every parish in Louisiana.

Superintendent Dr. Lonnie Luce will give the Keynote Address and the Valedictorian Address will be given by Ethan Francois. Awards and presentations of scholarships totally nearly $900,000 will also be handed out.

This year’s class has been accepted into universities such as Nicholls State University, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge Community College, Centenary College of Louisiana, LeTourneau University (Texas), Delgado Community College, University of Louisiana Lafayette, Southeastern Louisiana University, Northwestern State University, Louisiana Tech University, Portland State University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Xavier University of Louisiana, Texas Southern University, University of Oregon, University of New Orleans, Neumont University (Utah), Missouri Southern State University, University of Mobile, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Bossier Parish Community College, University of Advancing Technology (Arizona), Mississippi State University, McNeese State University, and Tulane University.

University View Academy, the state’s leading provider of high-quality, free public online charter schooling for grades K through 12, is opening enrollment for the 2017-2018 school year to students from every parish in the state with a new name, a new Superintendent and a renewed focus on preparing Louisiana’s young people for the tech-dependent future.

University View Academy, formerly Louisiana Connections Academy, serves approximately 2300 families with a high-quality public education provided by certified Louisiana teachers. The school provides each family with a laptop and support for the parent or adult who monitors the child’s accountability to the program.

Now directed by one of Louisiana’s top educators, Dr. Lonnie Luce, University View Academy is emphasizing its focus on educating its students to prepare for advanced education and technological prowess.

“From the moment a student enters our virtual classrooms, they are oriented towards pursuing their maximum development in one of two pathways: university transfer credit or career development/Jump Start. By the time they graduate with their University View diploma, they have also completed two years of college-credit courses,” said Dr. Luce. “Technically, we are now a K-14 school to every student who desires this track.”

University View was recently approved to network with the state’s community colleges and four-year public universities in order to allow each graduate to have a high school diploma and an associates degree.

“The bonus each student gets from our school is we orient them towards their best future and help them expand their ability to get a quality education or job after graduation,” said Dr. Luce. “For parents, we’re also saving their student two years of advanced education costs, so four years of TOPS dollars stretch are still available.”

Enrollment is open now for all grades, K-12. Dr. Luce encourages parents and prospective students to attend an information session, speak with an enrolled family as well as University View teachers and staff, and ask questions.  The information sessions review the school’s curriculum, programs and enrollment process.

Parents can enroll their child online now at: www.UniversityView.Academy
or call 225-421-2900. The school also suggests checking the website for the latest information on in-person information sessions and other news.

University View Academy has a high return rate of previous students so interested families are encouraged to start the enrollment process now for the limited number of open seats in all grades.
 
The information sessions and locations through May 30 are as follows:

University View Academy (formerly Louisiana Connections Academy) teachers Stacie Reed and Katie Corkern were each named 2017 Outstanding Paraeducator of the Year at the Louisiana Council for Exceptional Children 2017 Super Conference Awards. The school, based in Baton Rouge, is the state’s leading provider of high-quality, free public online charter schooling for grades K through 12 to students anywhere in Louisiana.
 
Both teachers were honored for their innovative lessons and programs, ability to reach out to students, and hard work.

Sometimes there is no avoiding one reality as you approach the middle of the academic year: Your child is in need of a new school.
         Take heart, said Louisiana Connections Academy Superintendent Lonnie Luce: It’s not uncommon.
         The good news is, there are 300 openings in grades K-12 right now at the top academic performing online charter school in Louisiana, and families are welcome to switch right now or go ahead and enroll for the 2017-2018 school year.
         “Changing to a online charter school is not just a change of venue, but a change of mindset,” said LACA Superintendent Luce. "But don't delay: Our vacancies fill up fast."
         According to LACA’s research, the top reasons for switching schools mid-year usually are:

• The student require or wants greater flexibility;
• The student wants a change from their local school;
• The student wants a safe learning environment.

Louisiana Connections Academy, a K-12, free, state certified public school conducted completely online by Louisiana teachers, welcomes students in all grades while individual school districts in the 20 impacted areas recover from the historic 2016 floods, announced Superintendent Lonnie Luce.
           
Superintendent Luce said State Superintendent of Education John White encouraged public schools to step up and help displaced families.
           
"Louisiana Connections Academy is proud to respond to the State's request and enroll children in all grades from impacted school districts, whether the flooded school was private, parochial or public," said Dr. Luce.
           
Parents can begin the process immediately by logging into the school's website at www.louisianaconnectionsacademy.com, visiting the school campus at the Russell J. Henderson Building, first floor, 4664 Jamestown Ave., Baton Rouge, or calling the school at 800-382-6010 or 225-372-8398.

 Louisiana Connections Academy, a K-12 completely online public charter school, is delaying the opening of school until Monday, August 22.  Many students and faculty members are displaced, have little access to the internet and cell service, and are unable to communicate, said Superintendent Dr. Lonnie Luce. The school was scheduled to open today, August 15.
 
"Please know that we are concerned about our LACA families and if any have experienced loss due to flooding, please contact our helpline at 1-800-382-6010 for assistance with replacement materials," said Dr. Luce. 
 
Information about the reopening of school is being provided to students and staff through the school's communications networks. The school's main number is 225.372.8389.

 
Due to the magnitude of the catastrophic devastation and loss of communication caused by the recent weather in Baton Rouge and surrounding communities, Louisiana Connections Academy, a K-12 completely online public charter school, is delaying the opening of school.  Many students and faculty members are displaced, have little access to the internet and cell service, and are unable to communicate, said Superintendent Dr. Lonnie Luce.

Her love of golf started when she was four years old. Now 18, Angelica Harris has won local, regional and national golf tournaments, been featured four times on the Golf Channel for her accomplishments, was a finalist last year in Wendy’s High School Heisman Program and has now been named the female recipient of the 2016 USGA-AJGA Presidents’ Leadership Award by the United States Golf Association and American Junior Golf Association.

The USGA-AJGA Presidents' Leadership Award was created to recognize one male and one female junior golfer who demonstrate leadership, character and community service through their involvement with the Leadership Links program.

Such an honor fits well into Angelica’s personal goals to attend Washington University in St. Louis and continue to play golf. She graduated this past June from Louisiana Connections Academy, a free public, completely online charter school.

“At LACA, I was provided with a flexible, yet challenging academic schedule that allowed me to practice golf daily without falling behind in my grade level,” said Angelica. “I received over a million dollars in scholarship offers from top-ranked universities thanks to LACA.”
           
The online charter school allows athletes like Angelica to work their training and competition schedule into their daily studies. In fact, the school scheduling is flexible enough for an upper-classman like Angelica that the star athlete started a golf program at Chartwell Center, a school for children with autism, and three Standardize Prep Courses across New Orleans where she tutors students on the ACT.
           
“My golf program is called Angelica’s Angels. I go to Chartwell Center every week teaching the students how to play golf, follow healthy eating habits, and share the life lessons learned through golf,” said Angelica. 
           
Through her fundraising efforts, Harris has raised more than $1,400 for her program. She has also expanded the program to a local childcare center for low-income families and hopes to expand to other special needs schools in the future.
           
In fact, Angelica has her own custom flip-flop business which she started when she was 10-years-old, that underscores her national leadership qualities.