Network of six online public schools hosted a virtual commencement on June 23

San Juan Capistrano CA— California Connections Academy, a tuition-free network of online public schools serving students in grades TK-12 across 32 counties in California since 2004, celebrated nearly 900 graduating seniors on June 23. Despite the challenges of the last year with the ongoing pandemic, school administrators and teachers were still able to honor the graduating class with proper pomp and circumstance during the virtual graduation ceremony.
The California Connections Academy Class of 2021 is comprised of graduates from six California schools: California Connections Academy Central, California Connections Academy Central Coast, California Connections Academy Monterey Bay, California Connections Academy North Bay, California Connections Academy Ripon and California Connections Academy Southern California, with students residing in 32 counties across the state. Among the graduating class, 62 percent plan to attend two- or four-year colleges or universities, 10 percent plan to enter the work force and 7 percent plan to attend vocational or technical school. Collectively, the graduating class earned more than $1.9 million in scholarship funds and students have been accepted to notable in-state and out-of-state universities including Dartmouth, United States Military Academy West Point, University of California Berkeley, Columbia University, among many others.
Among the graduates is California Connections Academy Southern California student Ashley Lew, an Irvine resident and award-winning ballet dancer. “California Connections Academy has allowed me to prioritize both my schoolwork and my passion for dance, and keep a good balance on both,” said Lew. “The teachers are incredibly caring. I could not have gotten through keeping up my schoolwork and my busy dance schedule without their support.”
“I am continually proud of the hard work and dedication of our graduating class. Despite the challenging year we all experienced, our students leveraged their experience with online learning and were able to continue aiming high and conquering goals,” said Dr. Richard Savage, California Connections Academy Executive Director. “These students kept their focus and their heads up through it all, and I am excited to see them become the next generation of successful and thoughtful leaders.”
As a WASC accredited, online public school with 17 years of expertise, California Connections Academy provides more than 6,500 students with the continuous support of highly-skilled, state-credentialed teachers and curriculum that focuses on both academics and social-emotional learning. The school’s teachers are specially trained to bring their skills and personality to the virtual classroom and emphasize the importance of fostering meaningful connections with students and their families. A student’s daily learning activities are flexible to meet their needs and families can decide in which order to complete the assigned work.
California Connections Academy students represent a diversity of backgrounds and education histories, ranging from those who are academically ahead or struggling in a traditional school setting to those who experience health challenges or bullying. At California Connections Academy, students have access to advanced courses and flexible daily scheduling that helps them to take ownership of their own educational journey. Students who choose to enroll in the school join a collaborative community of their fellow students and educators that provides a welcoming, distraction-free learning environment.
For additional information about online education and enrollment, the school is hosting free events for families to learn more. To learn more about California Connections Academy and begin the enrollment process, visit the school’s website.

About California Connections Academy

California Connections Academy is a network of six tuition-free, online public schools, serving students in grades TK-12 throughout 32 counties. Accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Schools of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), we know how to create a high-quality educational experience that keeps students motivated and engaged in a safe, virtual learning environment. In addition to academics, teachers focus on emotional well-being and social development, working closely with families to help students learn how they learn best. Here, students gain the skills and confidence they need to direct their own educational journey, learning to thrive in the real world by first learning how to be resourceful and resilient. For more information, call 1-800-221-2720 or visit the school’s website.