BALTIMORE, May 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Connections Academy, a leading national provider of high quality, highly accountable virtual public schools operated in partnership with state departments of education, school districts and charter schools, has been named the elementary level provider for the Missouri Virtual Instruction Program (MoVIP). The State of Missouri's Office of Administration and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) announced late last week that Connections Academy won the competitive bid to serve as the K-5 provider for the state's first virtual school, which will open in 2007, and is expected to serve as many as 4,000 full- and part-time elementary and secondary students tuition-free, statewide. The Secondary (6- 12) Level MoVIP award went to Northwest Missouri State University.

"We know the state of Missouri considered a number of different providers to deliver its elementary level program for its first-ever virtual school, so we are honored to have been selected," commented Barbara Dreyer, president of Connections Academy. "This year we are providing a superior educational experience to over 9,000 students, and we look forward to working with the state of Missouri to bring this same high quality virtual education to its elementary students next fall."

"The state of Missouri is pleased to make the innovative MoVIP virtual school available to Missouri families, and to ensure a high quality program by partnering with established leaders in virtual public education," said Dr. Curt Fuchs, MoVIP Director. "We are confident that by working with Connections Academy, the MoVIP K-5 program will fill an important educational need for Missouri families, meeting a wide range of students' educational needs while maintaining the highest academic standards."

Connections Academy has been operating its high-tech, high-touch public "schools without walls" since 2002. As of Fall 2007, it will serve students in 12 states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin as well as Missouri.

The Connections Academy program combines state-certified teachers, a Missouri standards-aligned curriculum, unique technology tools, and community experiences to create an individualized alternative to the bricks-and-mortar classroom. All MoVIP elementary level students can choose up to six courses from the nationally-certified Connections Academy curriculum that combines high-quality textbooks from leading publishers with cutting-edge technology- based resources and hands-on materials. Students work closely with their parents, or other "learning coaches" and a licensed Missouri teacher using detailed daily lesson plans that can be personalized to meet individual student needs. Teachers conference with students and their parents biweekly, and students also participate in field trips and other in-person activities facilitated by a community coordinator.

The MoVIP elementary level program is expected to serve a wide range of Missouri students, including those who are significantly ahead or behind in

the classroom; students who would benefit from more individualized instruction; or who require a flexible school schedule.

To register students for either the elementary or secondary MoVIP program, parents should go to http://www.dese.mo.gov/movip/. If enrollment requests exceed its funded student slots, the state will conduct a lottery to select students. After the lottery, the program will be open to those who pay tuition, or who live in districts that will pay it.

About Connections Academy

Connections Academy (CA) is a leading national provider of high quality, highly accountable K-12 virtual public schools operated in partnership with state departments of education, school districts, and charter schools. Connections Academy schools deliver top-quality, personalized education for students that combines certified teachers; a proven, print-rich curriculum; technology tools; and community experiences to create a supportive and successful environment for children who need an individualized approach to education. In CA's unique Personalized Performance Learning(TM) approach, students use daily lesson plans and curriculum materials provided by CA. Teachers develop a Personalized Learning Plan for each student, whose progress is tracked through a proprietary, web-based Learning Management System. Connections Academy will serve over 9,000 students during 2006-2007 in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin through its high-tech, high-touch public "schools without walls." For more information, call 800-382-6010 or visit http://www.connectionsacademy.com/.

CONTACT: Sandy Baird of Athena Public Relations, +1-203-655-3475,
sandy@athenapr.com, for Connections Academy

Web site: http://www.connectionsacademy.com/