tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432207500738150019.post1760503779857035740..comments2023-11-03T06:28:39.274-07:00Comments on Green Momma: Connections Academy -- A Homeschooler's ReviewKimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11485570310550871974noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432207500738150019.post-20737338364317942182019-06-15T01:45:51.572-07:002019-06-15T01:45:51.572-07:00We are going back to regular school. We switched f...We are going back to regular school. We switched for my daughters modeling and acting but it's not worth it. Her teacher is very nice but they piled on work before we even got supplies and we only did the last quarter. The portfolios were really overwhelming and sometimes when our internet went out the assignment would be lost, toward the end she was so discouraged even with a nice and helpful teacher it wasn't the right program for us. Signahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16627942022438542708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432207500738150019.post-29132399865527942012018-02-27T22:20:09.028-07:002018-02-27T22:20:09.028-07:00I will be withdrawing my granddaughter this week. ...I will be withdrawing my granddaughter this week. I will start her on the Time4Learning as soon as we get out Intent to Home school approved. <br />My granddaughter hates it and dreads to even get up in the mornings. Her grades were very good up till a few weeks ago. She does not get the help she needs. There are to many portfolio's and the extra courses that they don't need takes up much needed time. There is no way anyone can click on every link that is in each lesson. There isn't enough time. Instead of putting real learning question in the assessments they put trick questions in it. Why trick a child who is trying so hard to learn. This school is ridiculous. We are close to the school year ending but I will not see my granddaughter tortured anymore by all this work they expect from her. She loves to learn and they have just about destroyed it for her. <br />I will gladly pack up her books and computer and ship it back. A friend of mine has 2 teens that have already got their GED at 16 using Time4Learning and now has her 11 year old twins in it. She loves it and after my granddaughter looked it over she loved it. So we are going with that.The Review Hubhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08253919283139838534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432207500738150019.post-27729253006609198312018-02-20T14:29:43.785-07:002018-02-20T14:29:43.785-07:00Same I feel like its way to much and way to compli...Same I feel like its way to much and way to complicated.AllBlogsSatirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10012753863967249232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432207500738150019.post-85605674951446004792018-02-20T14:27:34.720-07:002018-02-20T14:27:34.720-07:00I am also only able to do about 2 lessons a day an...I am also only able to do about 2 lessons a day and they give me so many its very hard to get back up, when I first started I remember getting all my work done but about two days later they just dumped a million lessons on me and its way too stressful. I'm mostly worried about my overdue lessons but I get a million more overdue lessons overnight. ~the same personAllBlogsSatirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10012753863967249232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432207500738150019.post-76711098776108890362018-02-20T14:21:38.282-07:002018-02-20T14:21:38.282-07:00Honestly I'm enrolled in connections being a f...Honestly I'm enrolled in connections being a failed 8th grade public scholar and I have to say that I hate it entirely, there shouldn't have to be a certain time to do stuff. I was gone for a four day church thing and I had racked up 27 overdue lessons and its very hard to catch up, I really would've done better at public school.AllBlogsSatirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10012753863967249232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432207500738150019.post-76739137495708939052017-01-27T22:35:39.198-07:002017-01-27T22:35:39.198-07:00Hey Lexi. After more researching I found a compila...Hey Lexi. After more researching I found a compilation of things. There is a Withdrawal Form located on your learning coach's Data view or "I" button, and then I think you will see it. Now you can also call your homeroom teacher/ adviser/ counselor or tbh any main Connections phone number and ask for help there. See the thing is depending on what state you live in the Withdrawal Form abides to state laws and attendance so you have to see if the form requires you to already have a plan to either go to another public school or homeschool. Now I haven't checked it out yet so i don't know what my state's certain requirement for Withdrawal is. I'm hoping I can just withdraw without having to figure out what education platform to pursue because I don't want to go back to my old high school nor find another online school. I'm so motivated to just go for my GED and get started with College. Good luck to you too, please update and I will update you too when I start the process.apt_203https://www.blogger.com/profile/02543051041439531540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432207500738150019.post-86164420499535435922017-01-26T17:52:35.636-07:002017-01-26T17:52:35.636-07:00Hi, I'm also currently enrolled in Connections...Hi, I'm also currently enrolled in Connections Academy, and I was also wondering what the process was for withdrawal was? I'm 15 and in 9th grade, the workload I have to do daily is crazy! Recently it was the end of my semester and my teacher gave me an extension on my essay because I had started the semester late and needed more time. I turned in the essay a day late because we had car trouble and no internet access in the country. Well my teacher said she could not except the paper because it was late and it dropped my grade from a B (86 percent) to a D (67 percent) . Now that grade is on my transcript and it really has upset me! That's just one of many reasons why I want to withdraw.Lexihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02968382670655047500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432207500738150019.post-17423857567387997812017-01-23T17:10:02.531-07:002017-01-23T17:10:02.531-07:00Hi, I am a peer of your daughter and I am currentl...Hi, I am a peer of your daughter and I am currently enrolled in Connections Academy and trying to drop out; experiencing the same obstacles about overdue lessons and not motivated about my education as it was prior to the program. I'm 16 and I'm a Junior and I want to kickstart the process of dropping out and convincing my mom about GED and college. She's busy due to her job and I don't want to stress her out in uncharted waters. Do you have advice for contacting the school/staff (goodbyes and paperwork) and any warnings about consequences such as the school district being wary(truancy) and intrusive about your personal decisions? Thank you for your time and good luck to you and your daughter's future ventures!apt_203https://www.blogger.com/profile/02543051041439531540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432207500738150019.post-78910921505324573732017-01-23T16:59:38.411-07:002017-01-23T16:59:38.411-07:00Hello, I'm currently enrolled in Connections A...Hello, I'm currently enrolled in Connections Academy, and obviously am trying to drop out since I have felt no passion for my education after this program. I'm 16 and a Junior, I am trying to research how to initiate the withdrawal process since my mom is currently busy and I want to convince her I want to take the initiative of pulling out of Connections Academy. How do you start the process and if so do you have any tips? Or warnings such as consequences(truancy) from the school district or state? Please, and thank you! :)apt_203https://www.blogger.com/profile/02543051041439531540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432207500738150019.post-11340929471318009722017-01-19T06:45:21.364-07:002017-01-19T06:45:21.364-07:00I too am in the same boat. I enrolled my children ...I too am in the same boat. I enrolled my children in Commonwealth Charter Academy, formerly Connections Academy. My children are in 1, 6, and 8. The workload that these kids have is way too much, and its boring. My 6th grader is a slower worker, and he's only able to complete two assignments a day. Well, the school sent me a truancy notice because of that! Prior to this brief online school stint we were homeschoolers, and that's what we're continuing to be. I initiated the withdrawal process last night.Mama Gypsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15588724657342269953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432207500738150019.post-89658629683547968432017-01-18T08:42:15.875-07:002017-01-18T08:42:15.875-07:00my child has an IEP and is enrolled at Tecca (conn... my child has an IEP and is enrolled at Tecca (connections academy) It isn't what I expected, though touted as flexible, and that is true, you will pay for that flexibility; because if you don't keep on top of all the subjects, lessons and portfolios, work piles up so quickly! You get buried fast. She has gotten so overwhelmed she has given up, I can't say I blame her. You will work 6-7 days a week with all the reading and work to do, "school vacations" and days off? --nope, you will be making up work. The amount of reading is ridiculous and as others have said it is repetitive or unnecessary. She has an IEP, though they recognize it, she doesn't REALLY get the support. Regular schools here are really bad, gangs, etc, but she did get one on one academic support. She learns slower, at tecca, she can't really take more time in areas, you will get swamped. They say they have academic support IEP aides, not one ever was in the picture. They make it sound so awesome and almost fool-proof, well, of course they do, they need to keep the audit grade up to stay accredited by the state, they need the enrollment! She is 16 and a half and is probably going to have to repeat the 10th grade. Before Tecca she got A's and B's! Not at Tecca, so that tells you alot, she's nearly an F on most things, ONLY because she is SWAMPED! She can't go back to the horrible city high schools and this isn't working, so we talked about her just taking the Hiset test, the high school equivalency here in MA. She can get that and go to community college with a part time credit load to start off with in the fall, she'll be 17 by then. I got my GED and still went to college, it's not the end of the world, I was still on the same "playing field" as everyone else and there were flesh and blood people there for extra help and support. It's also a lonely situation for a kid, don't listen to them about field trips and social connection opportunities, it's all bull, there's nearly nothing or it's rare or far far away...My friend pulled her daughter out for the same reason. We went ahead and tried it anyway since everyone is different, but it was the same crazy pressure.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01582203414229236131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432207500738150019.post-39663055079267482902016-07-15T20:20:19.792-07:002016-07-15T20:20:19.792-07:00Hi concerned or Frustrated parents!
I'm curren...Hi concerned or Frustrated parents!<br />I'm currently employed by CA and I have children who were enrolled. Both completed high school. My daughter is currently pursuing a degree as a RN. She has 2 semesters left. CA is definitely not a home school program. If you are not committed nor have the time and an active participant in your child's educational path, then it's not for you. Especially in the early stages of education, ex: K-8. As students get older they become more independent and require less help from parents. Now, remember this is state funded programs, but a more tailored to suit your child's pace. If the work is too advanced there are counselor and teachers always available. Which in my opinion is a plus, because unlike home schooling, you're not alone. In addition, this program works well for children with behavioral issues and children who are bullied constantly. I'm not being biased. I'm being honest. This is a wonderful opportunity for so many children (at no cost to the parents) without the classroom settings. And also a wonderful way for parents to bond with their children.Taorenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05246250348993924207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432207500738150019.post-16631565342131422562016-04-13T05:54:16.649-07:002016-04-13T05:54:16.649-07:00I can't wait for the nightmare of Maine connec...I can't wait for the nightmare of Maine connections academy to be over. failing math, and the Japanese is a joke. You don't even speak it. Classes are useless. I wish I had reached this point back in December, which I was close but thought we had to finish the school year. She works 10 hour days, 7 days a week. time for anything else? even family time? NONE! This is a money factory using the kids as their factory workers. Some tests come back where the computer didn't pick up the answers and I get, sorry, she will have to do the whole test over. I am paying a tutor to come twice a week to hopefully get to a decent place with a math grade. This is my child who was pegged to be valedectorian at her school, loved school, had big dreams for college. now her attitude is, 4 more years of this? and wishes she could drop out. My A student gone from loving school to not even wanting to go to college. All thanks to Connections!hopeless_angel1https://www.blogger.com/profile/01094802067150554156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432207500738150019.post-88891014764670911652016-02-20T08:08:55.904-07:002016-02-20T08:08:55.904-07:00Feeling disenchanted and upset with intnl conn aca...Feeling disenchanted and upset with intnl conn acadmy myself. Have a 9 th grader at desk ALL day everyday and was an honor student! Has like 30 plus overdue assignments! Unreal. She doesnt have time to pursue her music literature which is why she wanted to leave a brick public school! Time is precious and our schools are failing our USA children!!!veehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14084756508471242323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432207500738150019.post-9734721730986375322014-04-03T18:28:38.038-07:002014-04-03T18:28:38.038-07:00We have tried many schooling options.Seems like es...We have tried many schooling options.Seems like eschools were always pushing useless busy work,but atleast you got new books,a computer,printer,supplies,and money for internet and gym classes.That was in 2005.Even then it was still the parent doing all the work ,but the school calling the shots. Annoying.<br /><br />Now I see there is still busy work,and the eschools are pocketing more cash while supplying you with less. Old computers.No textbooks you have to read scanned pages online.No gym money.Internet money is less while they expect you to be online more.<br /><br />Still the parent doing the work while teachers juggle 100+ kids. How accurate are grades? Eschools can be useful if you want to follow someones schedule.<br /><br />Imo, life is far to short to live it stressed and unhappy. If you like it stay. If you hate it move on.My kids have done public,eschool,homeschool,and private montessori. I am glad we have so many options.Nothing wrong with moving on.<br /><br />Passed should be past.<br /><br />Best wishes with homeschooling.It is a wonderful option.Sally Wolffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12584345362679595593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432207500738150019.post-6445871475297721882013-12-10T15:52:13.145-07:002013-12-10T15:52:13.145-07:00This is the worse school ever. My 11th grader is b...This is the worse school ever. My 11th grader is being picked on with honor code violations left and right. He did a few by answering his questions by online looking up but in 8th grade. Now they single him out and always look for that. They gave him 2 violations in 2 days and there is no fighting it because they are always right. I have trusted my sons high school years with a bunch of nit wits. I will be disenrolling him after I find another program. Does anyone know of a better program for high schoolers? Does anyone know where I can complain?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15089096650208096423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432207500738150019.post-76774754308232996392013-10-25T13:45:44.643-07:002013-10-25T13:45:44.643-07:00We do Connections Academy. I have a K and 2. We LO...We do Connections Academy. I have a K and 2. We LOVE it! We do school work 2-5 hours depending on the day and that's including lunch and lots of breaks. The school day total number of hours is made up in other educational activities that I chose. You need around 6 hours a day. We work ahead and have ample flexibility. If my child knows the material, I test them out myself and let them go ahead and speed through the assessments. We have done an entire math unit in a day. I'm sure it gets to be much more in upper grades, but for now it's fantastic! Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05926595871337315481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432207500738150019.post-86616819021848550882013-10-07T07:27:37.495-07:002013-10-07T07:27:37.495-07:00I am so glad I came across this blog post! We hav...I am so glad I came across this blog post! We have been enrolled with one child since 6th grade and we are only a month into 8th grade and I just initiated the withdrawal process last night. I went from working full time to staying home and using connections. At first I LOVED it. At first it was amazing and we finished all of our schoolwork easily. I loved almost everything about it. Then 7th grade workload doubled and the teacher load increased as well. Going from 1 teacher to 10 teachers. All of whom have modifications or complete different ways of doing the curriculum assigned. We stuck through even though it was difficult because we believed it was our only option. I didn't feel qualified to homeschool and somewhere along the line someone convinced me that I wouldn't be the person knowing what was best for my son. 8th grade has been far worse. The curriculum from the administrative level has forced teachers to modify and drop complete lessons. It was taking my son 3 days to get through a lesson that should have been an hour. 4 videos on Tone?? Really? But God forbid he skip a video because it would most likely be the randomess question on the assessment that had no bearing to whether he learned about Tone or not. No science book this year but full expectation of memorization and passing the assessment. My son is methodical. He likes to take his time and get it right the first time. He loathes having to backtrack anywhere in his life. Connections was making it very discouraging because he had to pay such close attention to every specific detail when 90% of it doesn't even matter to the meat of the subject. I could go on all day. My experience with the teachers was more one of, "we have our hands tied" and I understand that. My experience with the teachers has been amazing. If I could scoop em up and pay them better I would hire them to be tutors =) <br /><br />I called our locals edu service office and when she told me the guidelines to REAL home schooling..... I felt like a big gigantic weight had been lifted and all of the freedom I had wanted for my son has finally been granted. <br /><br />Connections will speak of flexibility and while there is a little.... there really isn't. You are tied to an internet connection unless you want to kill a tree and print out the lesson. If you don't have a text book to work out of, you have zero flexibility. It feels like they are trying to go paperless which I don't agree with. We neeeeeeeeed our books for reference, for beauty, for respect..... etc. <br /><br />I am very relieved in our choice other than the guilt I feel for leaving all of those great teacher who were trying to work with us. Stephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17274491185052627751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432207500738150019.post-36814159494986424172013-08-12T19:29:24.930-07:002013-08-12T19:29:24.930-07:00I have used time4learning this past year for my si...I have used time4learning this past year for my six year old daughter and although she loved it, I have found that it did not challenge her and she did not retain the information. It was 90% online and very basic studies. I have also been researching these public virtual schools and have decided to not attempt the work loads. I removed my daughter from the public school so I could allow her to learn a more independent study and enrollment in schools as such would take that away from her. I am considering the Oak Meadow curriculum. Does anyone have an opinion on it?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03622688520906394264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432207500738150019.post-49989592302712824862013-05-16T11:20:26.668-07:002013-05-16T11:20:26.668-07:00Hi Kristina,
If you're used to homeschooling, ...Hi Kristina,<br />If you're used to homeschooling, I would suggest you continue homeschooling. If you want an altogether curricula, Oakmeadows would be my suggestion for kindergarten. It's BEAUTIFUL, and creative, and just awesome. I don't recommend it for further grades, it didn't work well for my son because he's very scientific, very type A personality, however my daughter loved it...she's a creative type and learned well this way. Christopherus is another beautiful creative Waldorf styled curriculum. If you have any other questions, please email me. I tend to check that more often then comments. :) Best of luck!Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11485570310550871974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432207500738150019.post-39550153538688593232013-05-16T07:42:42.242-07:002013-05-16T07:42:42.242-07:00I am so happy that I found your site. I've bee...I am so happy that I found your site. I've been debating on signing up my twins for this upcoming school year for kindergarten. I've been homeschooling their Pre-k and have truly loved our experiences. I'm expecting our 3rd little girl and I thought Connections Georgia would give me more flexibility along with peace of mind since the lessons would be provided. Since the baby arrives in September I would love to have my lessons put together along with which curriculum I will use.<br /><br />Can you offer me advice as to where I can find the different curriculums and your experience with them for the K- 2nd grade? How many hours a day are you homeschooling the younger kids? Do you simply follow one curriculum or do you combine them? I would love to keep my kids enthused about school and learning and I'm afraid connections won't be our answer after reading your responses. <br /><br />Any help is greatly appreciated ASAP.<br />MomovtwinsAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13671207804956914669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432207500738150019.post-51976481742585628662013-04-09T19:01:41.130-07:002013-04-09T19:01:41.130-07:00Hi Samantha,
Let's see if I can get through al...Hi Samantha,<br />Let's see if I can get through all your questions. :) Yes, they will mail you everything you need. The school is done completely online, however if your state requires standardized testing you may have to go to a testing facility when it's time to do standardized tests. I do believe the computer is an option, they will send you a loaner (I think!). They have an online class room for some activities and it's kinda like skype, but it's different. You're not looking at everyone, you're looking at what the teacher is doing, and yes you can talk with them.<br /><br />As for it being a waste of time, that's entirely up to you. I'm sure if you're motivated and ready to work hard you'll be just fine.Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11485570310550871974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432207500738150019.post-52666967392606404492013-04-09T18:18:15.035-07:002013-04-09T18:18:15.035-07:00I want to enroll and am going to tell my mom about...I want to enroll and am going to tell my mom about Connections. Will they mail me everything I need? I am having trouble in my school because people disrupting the class and my teacher couldnt care less if we passed or not. Is there anything GOOD about Connections or is it a waste of time. I am dedicated. Also can the school be completely online or do you have to go to the school? Does the school send a computer or do you have to buy one? Is there chat or skype or anything where you talk to a teacher? Please give me any information please! Pros and cons would be great too! Thanks? Ps: I am in texasAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13355924045767197861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432207500738150019.post-39593890823664466092013-03-28T08:26:02.329-07:002013-03-28T08:26:02.329-07:00I'm sorry to hear you're having such a rou...I'm sorry to hear you're having such a rough go at things. Is there a teacher you can talk to? My children had a teacher when they were enrolled. Perhaps they can help?Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11485570310550871974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432207500738150019.post-54895945849604770812013-03-28T07:46:57.103-07:002013-03-28T07:46:57.103-07:00I want to drop out of connections academy I hate i...I want to drop out of connections academy I hate it so much and it has caused nothing but problems for me, I've been so stressed out about the work that I haven't even learned anything at all. I'm living with my grandparents right now and when I tell my grandpa how I felt about it at the beginning of the school year, he just said to suck it up and now I'm about to take the yearly testing which I probably will fail now. I just wanna give up I don't know what to do, I'm in grade 8. Nizzlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08721813537390982435noreply@blogger.com