Last Friday (January 31, 2020) the Nevada Charter School Authority voted 4-1 to close Connections Academy here in Nevada. The vote came after hours of testimony from parents, students and educators. However, the final decision was made without the vote of the entire board. Five board members left before the vote, leaving many parents upset with the fact that the final vote was not a true majority of the entire board, but just a majority of the members who stayed to vote.
The decision to discuss the fate of Connections Academy was due to the low rating the school has received based on state testing results. As a parent of a student who relies on the ability to work at his own pace, I have seen the struggles the school has endured and also how much it has grown and improved. Connections Academy makes it possible for students to thrive in an environment they are comfortable in.
Of course online school is not for everyone, but there are students with ADHD, social anxiety, victims of bullying, etc. who have found a way to get their education and succeed. All without the worries of being in a classroom environment. It does take discipline, for both students and parents, but with a little work and accountability Connections Academy offers a place where highly motivated students who prefer working on their own can thrive.
Our son went from struggling in elementary school to being a straight A student in all honors classes in high school. This was all accomplished by being able to work when he was focused and at his own pace. Both of which he gets through Connections Academy. We have seen a big change in his personality and have watched him grow into a young man. We are sad he cannot finish high school at Connections Academy, however, we know with the skills he has learned through his online classes, he will succeed no matter what lies before him these next two years.
But not all parents are confident of what lies in their child’s educational future. After the decision to close the online charter school, many parents were left scrambling to decide where to send their kids next year for school. Many have selected local brick and mortar schools, while others are still looking because their kids refuse to go to local school and want to continue their education at home. There are many options available and these parents are in the process of seeking out those options. But they shouldn’t have to. They should have the security of knowing that their children can continue on the educational path they started off with. Without fear of it being shut down or having to fight to keep the school open.
Connections parents have rallied and are in the process of writing letters to the governor, state and local representatives, and anyone who can help get our voices heard. Will this work? Let’s hope so. But if not, it’s time to search for another school.
We feel bad for all the parents who are having to go through this. However, we know, their kids have thrived at Connections and believe they will find the perfect fit and continue to succeed in school. Best of luck to all the families and educators affected by this decision.
