All About Our Oregon Online School Options

August 28, 2024 byConnections Academy

3 min to read

A middle school student looking at a laptop

Every child in Oregon deserves a great education. For many, that might be in a traditional brick-and-mortar public or private school. However, you might be wondering if your child might be better suited for enrollment in an online school.

What Is Online Public School in Oregon?

Oregon has two Connections Academy-supported schools, Willamette Connections Academy and Oregon Connections Academy. They are both tuition-free, public online schools for K–12 students. They are both accredited by the State of Oregon, classes are taught by credentialed teachers, and the curriculum is developed by experts in online learning.

Where Is Online School Available in Oregon?

Both Oregon Connections Academy and Willamette Connections Academy are available for students to enroll as long as they reside in Oregon, including Baker County, Benton County, Clackamas County, Clatsop County, Columbia County, Coos County, Crook County, Deschutes County, Douglas County, Gilliam County, Grant County, Harney County, Hood River County, Jackson County, Jefferson County, Josephine County, Klamath County, Lake County, Lane County, Lincoln County, Linn County, Malheur County, Marion County, Marrow County, Multnomah County, Polk County, Sherman County, Tillamook County, Umatilla County, Union County, Wallowa County, Wasco County, Washington County, Wheeler County, and Yamhill County.

Who Can Attend Online School in Oregon?

Oregon Connections Academy and Willamette Connections Academy are accessible to students enrolling in kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, or high school across Oregon. Students must meet all enrollment criteria for Oregon Connections Academy or Willamette Connections Academy, including age limitations and immunization requirements, and have access to a reliable internet connection in a safe learning environment.

How Much Does Online School in Oregon Cost?

Oregon Connections Academy and Willamette Connections Academy are tuition-free, including the books and the curriculum. Families are responsible for the costs of school supplies and any in-person field trips. A family may receive a computer, as well as qualify for a hardship subsidy for internet access if eligible.

Why Choose Online Public School in Oregon?

Students enrolled in Connections Academy schools enjoy the flexibility to learn at their own pace, experience more individualized attention from teachers, and have freedom from the distractions present in brick-and-mortar schools. Parents also appreciate the ability to be more involved in their children’s education.

What Does Oregon Connections Academy Offer?

Oregon Connections Academy allows enrolled families to customize their learning schedules to accommodate various lifestyles, commitments, and learning styles.

Connections Academy is also one of only four online schools across the nation to offer the Advancement via Individual Determination (AVID) program in a virtual environment.

Oregon Connections Academy at a glance:

offers a gifted and talented, honors, special education, and Advanced Placement®* courses for high school students, gifted programs for middle school students, and gifted programs for elementary school students starting in third grade
accommodates Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
supports students pursuing internships by offering them independent study credits
allows eligible eleventh- and twelfth-grade students to complete college-level coursework—and earn transferable college credit—with flexible, dual-enrollment courses from Pearson Accelerated Pathways
provides Career and Technical Education courses
has a wide range of course offerings, including niche or specialized courses that may not be readily available in some schools around Oregon
offers Credit Recovery Options for high school students who are behind in credit hours or who have previously failed a course.
helps students through SAT/ACT prep courses

Does Oregon Connections Academy Have Clubs?

We have an E Sports team (Ranked #1 Nationally for Rocket League).

We support a student council so that students can have a voice.

Pop-up events are offered with an ever-changing assortment of unique online get-togethers, including Photography and Music Showcases, and Hour of Code (to celebrate Computer Science Week).

How Long Has Oregon Connections Academy Been Operating?

Oregon Connections Academy was established in 2021.

What Does Willamette Connections Academy Offer?

Willamette Connections Academy allows students to customize their learning schedules to accommodate their family’s lifestyle, commitments, and the student’s learning preferences. Our talented teachers offer both synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities so that students can progress at their own pace, focusing on areas where they need more support and moving quickly through material they mastered. Our teachers are able to customize the curriculum to fit the student’s needs.

Willamette Connections Academy at a glance:

offers traditional courses combined with industry-leading, career-focused electives
offers dual enrollment for math only; however, students can access additional courses with Pearson Accelerated Pathways
has a variety of Career and Technical course offerings that lead to potential industry certifications, which can also be transferred into college credit
collaborates with industry experts to offer courses that align with current market demands, providing students with practical and relevant job and career skills
offers a Driver's Education course to prepare students for understanding the safety rules of driving
offers gifted and talented, honors, special education, and Advanced Placement®* courses for high school students
accommodates students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs),
provides a collection of career-readiness and career and technical education (CTE) courses and pathways to prepare students for a future they’re passionate about
provides the opportunity for students to earn a high school diploma, industry certifications from companies like Google, Meta, and Salesforce through an exclusive partnership with Coursera, and college credits simultaneously through our innovative tri-credit offering

Does Willamette Connections Academy Have Clubs?

Eligible high school students can apply to join our National Honor Society group.
We hold an annual Spring Fling each year for high school students.
Every month, our school has a robust schedule of both in-person and virtual socialization opportunities.
Our school allows you to participate in sports, band, and other extracurricular activities.
We organize regular service opportunities for students, families, and staff.

How Long Has Willamette Connections Academy Been Operating?

Willamette Connections Academy was established in 2019.

Are Oregon Connections Academy and Willamette Connections Academy Accredited?

Willamette Connections Academy is accredited by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, the Northwest Accreditation Commission, and the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), which are accrediting divisions of Cognia.

Oregon Connections Academy is authorized under state law by the Prairie City School District. Connections Academy schools are supported by Connections Education LLC, dba Pearson Online & Blended Learning, which is accredited by Cognia, formerly AdvancED.

Both are public charter schools. Your student can meet all the Oregon educational and high school graduation requirements.

What Grades Do Oregon Connections Academy and Willamette Connections Academy Offer?

Both schools are available to students in K–12.

If you’d like to learn more about online school in Oregon, including enrollment requirements, contact our enrollment team at 1-833-591-0251 or visit us at Oregon Connections Academy or Willamette Connections Academy.

*Advanced Placement^®is a registered trademark of the College Board. Used with permission.