Louisiana Connections Academy, one of the largest K-12 public charter schools in the state with over 2100 students, will enter the 2016-2017 with Dr. Lonnie Luce, 47, as its Superintendent, announced Board Chair Wade Henderson.

Dr. Luce is recognized as one of the top public education leaders in Louisiana, having served as Superintendent of St. James Parish public schools for nine years and recognized as Louisiana State Superintendent of the Year (2014). He will begin the LACA job on July 1.

He takes over the top academically performing virtual charter school in the state and brings years of technological innovation from the St. James, Livingston, Baton Rouge and Orleans Parish public school systems, as well as the Greenville County, South Carolina School System.

All instruction at Louisiana Connections Academy is provided online, and open to students from every parish of the state.

““Dr. Luce’s experience in technology is superb and demonstrated,” said LACA Board Chair Wade Henderson. “Our desire as a charter school board, to reach our students as individuals and create individualized education, is shared by Dr. Luce.”

When seniors walk across the stage to get their high school diplomas from the leaders of Louisiana’s top academic performing virtual charter school, Louisiana Connections Academy, the senior receiving the $2,500 Barbara J. Dreyer Scholarship will be 17-year-old Darian Callais of Marrero.

The reason that is significant is because Barbara Dreyer is the founder of the online charter school business for which the school is named. She was a pioneer in the charter school and public school reform movement who died in 2016 from breast cancer.  

Darian Callais, a competitive dancer who travels while in school to workshops, conventions and competitions, won the scholarship because of her essay writing skills.

As Executive Director of the Board of Louisiana’s leading virtual K-12 charter school, Friends of Louisiana Connections Academy, Melissa Bentley Bergeron is concerned that parents understand the unique experience they are embarking on with their children when the decide to pursue a completely online, public education certified by the State of Louisiana.

“Parental involvement is key,” said Ms. Bentley. “A parent’s daily participation in learning activities shows children that education is a top priority and helps ensure their success.”

Louisiana Connections Academy, a statewide provider of free high-quality, highly accountable virtual K-12 schooling, has opened enrollment for the 2016-2017 school year. The school invites prospective families to attend in-person information sessions to learn more at an upcoming information session in Metairie. The information sessions will review the school’s curriculum, programs and provide opportunities for interested families to ask questions of teachers and currently enrolled families.

Louisiana Connections Academy, a statewide provider of free high-quality, highly accountable virtual K-12 schooling, has opened enrollment for the 2016-2017 school year and will be hosting information sessions throughout the next few months.

Parents can enroll their child online at: http://www.LouisianaConnectionsAcademy.com.
Beginning in March, Louisiana Connections Academy will host the free information sessions to answer parent and student questions about the online school program. The first event is Tuesday, March 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the school’s new Russell J. Henderson Memorial Building, 4664 Jamestown Ave., Baton Rouge with an Ice Cream Social meet and greet with school administrators and teachers.

The information sessions review the school’s curriculum, programs and provide opportunities to ask questions of teachers and currently enrolled families.
The current info session schedule follows. Parents can also call the school now about enrollment at 1-800-382-6010.

More events will be added in additional cities and can be monitored at the school website: www.ConnectionsAcademy.com/LACAevents.

Louisiana Connections Academy, a statewide provider of free high-quality, highly accountable virtual K-12 schooling, is opening enrollment for the 2016-2017 school year beginning March 1, said Parent Outreach Manager Shelly Centanni.

Parents can enroll their child online at: http://www.LouisianaConnectionsAcademy.com.

“We encourage all prospective families to enroll their children now,” said Ms. Centanni. “Spots are limited across all grades so enrolling as soon as possible gives your child the best chance at confirming their spot in our school.”
Since 2013, LACA has increased its School Performance Score in the state report card resulting in a six-year extension of its charter by the Louisiana Department of Education. DOE graded Louisiana Connections Academy as the top academic performing virtual school among schools offering an online curriculum.

So, the holiday break is upon you and there is no avoiding one reality: Your child is miserable in their school.
           
This might not be what you wanted to concentrate on during the winter break, but it’s not uncommon.
           
In Louisiana, some families are finding the switch to a free, public virtual school meets their needs.
           
“Changing to a virtual charter school is not just a change of venue, but a change of mindset,” said Louisiana Connections Academy Principal Glenda Jones.
           
According to LACA’s research, the top reasons for switching schools mid-year usually are:
 
1.    Your child learns at a different pace—faster or slower—and the benefit of personalized learning and pacing from an online education will keep them engaged;
 
2.    The traditional classroom is not addressing your child’s needs to stay focused or recover self-esteem;
 
3.    Your child’s athletic/performance/health schedule demands the flexibility of online education.
           
“Whatever the reason, the parent finds that their child is constantly talking about the need to change schools. It’s important to listen to and respect your child’s feelings, and provide reassurance,” said Principal Jones. “Taking time to explore what options are out there and clear communications about what a school change will involve helps the transition.”
           
Louisiana Connections Academy is a K-12 school, and mid-year switches to the school are accepted, especially among junior and senior high grades.
           
More than a quarter of a million American students in grades K-12 get their education virtually. In Louisiana, 2000 students are currently enrolled in Louisiana Connections Academy.
           
“The format of virtual schooling eases the student’s adjustment period, and because learning takes place at the home computer, the physical transition is easier too for students and families,” said Principal Jones.
 
Principal Jones suggests these tips for a mid-year transition:

Her love of golf started when she was four years old. Now 17, Angelica Harris has won local, regional and national golf tournaments, been featured three times on the Golf Channel for her accomplishments, and now is one of Louisiana’s state finalists for the prestigious Wendy’s High School Heisman Program honoring exceptional high school student-athletes who exemplify the Heisman ideals.

Such an honor fits well into Angelica’s personal goals to attend an Ivy League school and continue to play golf. She’ll graduate this year from Louisiana Connections Academy, a free public, completely online charter school.

Tre’von Cooper is a high school student who lives in Kentwood, Louisiana and everyday he goes to class with his godmother. 
Angel Pickering is an elementary school student in Baker, Louisiana who likes staying at home to do her classwork, so she can be with her dog named Clifford.

Ashton Gorman lives in Minden. He did great in a traditional school, until the third grade where he started getting so stressed and distracted by the school day, that he could barely get through his homework. Now in middle school, he’s getting the extra help he needs.

All three of these students have different needs, but all are getting their K-12 education at what is now one of the largest charter schools in Louisiana: Connections Academy, a completely virtual public school.

And there are more than 2000 students like them.

More Louisiana students than ever are taking to online classes for their schooling

As back to school time approaches for students in Louisiana, numbers are showing that more and more families are choosing to turn to online schooling as their provider of education.

Though virtual education used to be seen by many as reserved for post-high school classes, many parents are now opting to place their children in online schooling throughout their K-12 years.

Louisiana Connections Academy, a free public virtual charter school open to students from every parish of the state, is one of the many online schools in the state that is growing rapidly.