Simpson and Miller ready to debut

“I was on my way to a swim lesson when I was about five,” she remembered. “We had to pass an ice rink on the way to the pool, and I saw all of these girls skating around wearing pretty dresses with sequins and spinning and jumping. I thought that it looked cool, so I asked to try it instead of swimming.”

Simpson’s family relocated to Colorado Springs from Golden, Colo., some eighty miles away in order to skate with Miller, and has settled in comfortably in her adopted hometown. After being home schooled through the Colorado Connections Academy last year, Simpson is enjoying being able to attend school like most other high school students.

In her precious few moments away from the rink and school, Simpson enjoys volunteer work, but also takes time to relax.

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President of Connections Academy, Barbara Dreyer, on virtual school

Colorado Connections Academy

Virtual School Great Option For Some Students

The Bench family says virtual schooling makes the most sense.

The four students, all in different grades, attend the online classes through Colorado Connections Academy. And it’s all from the comfort of their home.

“I think it’s pretty neat to be able to be in them and it’s a lot of fun,” Andrew Bench said.

The kids have never been to a school with other children.

“I think it’s easier for me in this setting,” Andrew said.

The sixth grader says he’s able to work at his own pace.

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Growing Number of Students Enrolling in Online Schools

Experts say online schools give students more flexibility. They can work from home at their own pace. But, they still have to meet the same standards and take the same state standardized tests as students at traditional public schools.

Thirteen-year-old Josh Salles is enrolled in Colorado Connections Academy, one of the state’s virtual public schools. He used to go to public schools, but struggled academically. So far, he says he’s doing well in the non-traditional school setting.

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Virtual schools ‘clicking’ for many students this school year

More than 2 million children in kindergarten through 12th grade are learning online, and their ranks are growing by almost 20 percent each year, according to research by Ambient Insight. Currently, 45 states have significant supplemental online learning programs, or full-time programs, in which students take most or all of their courses online.

“One reason families are turning to full-time virtual schools is that parents are seeking a more personalized education for their children, where students’ studies are tailored to their abilities and interests, and they can work at their own pace,” says Dr. Steven Guttentag, executive vice president and chief education officer for Connections Academy, a leading virtual school provider that offers both public and private virtual school programs. “Of course most importantly, they work. Students are achieving at high levels and matriculating into some of our nation’s best universities.”

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Creating your ideal classroom? Virtual school Connections Academy shows you how

Colorado Connections Academy