South Carolina Connections Academy Launches New School Year with High Parent Satisfaction and Expanded College and Career Readiness Offering

The South Carolina Connections Academy, a tuition-free online public school, welcomed new and returning students to the virtual classroom for the 2025-26 school year. Now in its 18th year, the academy continues to deliver a high-quality online education that emphasizes both academic excellence and the fundamental life skills students need to thrive beyond the classroom. This year, students in grades 6-12 can benefit from an expanded College and Career Readiness program, which integrates traditional academic subjects with industry-leading, career-focused options like IT, business, health sciences, and marketing.

Key Takeaways:

• The South Carolina Connections Academy serves over 5,000 students statewide in grades K-12, with a strong focus on academic excellence and fundamental life skills.
• The academy's College and Career Readiness program has been expanded to include career-focused options like IT, business, health sciences, and marketing, helping students develop durable skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership.
• Students can participate in career exploration and industry networking opportunities to build confidence, make connections, and find direction to prepare for their future.
• Parents and caregivers are involved in the learning journey as their child's Learning Coach, serving as their mentor and guide through the school day.
• The academy has reported continued high levels of approval from families, with 98% of parents saying their child is satisfied learning at South Carolina Connections Academy, and 96% of parents feeling their child is making good progress.
• Shayna Kelch, a 10th grade student, shares her positive experience with the academy, citing its supportive online environment, opportunities for involvement, and confidence-building experiences.

Statistics:

• 98% of parents say their child is satisfied learning at South Carolina Connections Academy.
• 98% of parents agree the South Carolina Connections Academy program gives them greater opportunity to be more involved with their child's education.
• 98% of parents agree their child's teachers at South Carolina Connections Academy are supportive.
• 96% of parents feel their child is making good progress at South Carolina Connections Academy.
• 96% of parents would recommend South Carolina Connections Academy for the 2025-26 school year.

Sources:

• South Carolina Connections Academy's press release, dated August 13, 2025
• Shapiro + Raj's 2024-2025 School Year Parent Satisfaction Survey results.
• South Carolina Connections Academy's website (ConnectionsAcademy.com)
• Connections Academy's social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)