Arkansas Connections Academy News
- August 20, 2024 – Arkansas Connections Academy teacher Russell Powell shares tips for parents for back-to-school success in an in-studio interview on KARK-TV.
- June 29, 2023 – Six Arkansas Connections Academy graduates from Pine Bluff are highlighted in the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in a community news brief.
- April 24, 2023 – Arkansas Connections Academy student Hunter Boyd achieves Eagle Scout rank with 47 merit badges, seven Eagle palms and his Brotherhood in the Order of the Arrow. Mom Angela shares that he is on track to graduate high school a semester early. Learn more in the Log Cabin Democrat.
- October 29, 2022 – “Education is changing and this is a unique opportunity for every student to learn in their own way and on their own time,” says ARCA teacher Gianna Sherry in this Jonesboro Sun article that details the benefits of full-time online school.
- October 19, 2022 – "We love it. I love the freedom this gives us and being able to keep up with everything they're doing," says Arkansas Connections Academy (ARCA) mom Brenda Boyer at a field trip to the Mid-America Science Museum. Learn more in the Hot Springs Sentinel-Record.
- June 13, 2022 – ARCA student Gwendolyn Hutton builds local seed library to make gardening accessible to everyone. Learn more about her story in the Jonesboro Sun.
- May 14, 2022 – ARCA student Devan Harrison's photo from the school's field trip to the Little Rock Zoo is featured in this Arkansas Democrat Gazette gallery.
- October 17, 2021 – ARCA student, Alanna Updegraff, is featured in the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette enjoying an educational tour on a field trip to a local farm.
- September 9, 2021 – ARCA teacher, Melissa Curiel, discusses her experience as an online teacher as school looks for teachers to join school during this KARK-TV segment.
- August 19, 2021 – Log Cabin Democrat column by ARCA teacher, Melissa Curiel, on how to decide if online school is right for your student.
- August 9, 2021 – Arkansas Connections Academy learning coach, Melissa Cruise, shares her family’s experience with the school in the Texarkana Gazette.
- December 27, 2020 – The Heaths from ARCA say full-time online school is better for their sons and their unique needs in this Arkansas Democrat-Gazette article.
- August 11, 2020 – ARCA Master Teacher Melissa Curiel discusses how online school is different from in-person instruction and increased enrollment for the new school year. Learn more on KNWA-TV.
- June 1, 2020 – ARCA graduates Louis Plaisance, Luke Garcia and Matthew Naylor discuss how online school helped them excel and thrive in this Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette article.
- August 19, 2019 – ARCA students are logging on for the new school year! Principal Darla Gardner discusses the school's growth and reasons families enroll in this Sentinel-Record piece
- August 16, 2019 – ARCA School Leader Darla Gardner shares her perspective as a parent and administrator in this Little Rock Family op-ed, "Student Success: Tips to Improve School-Parent Connection"
- June 23, 2019 – ARCA families enjoy an end-of-year trip to Magic Springs Theme Park, shares The Sentinel-Record
- June 2, 2019 – ARCA Principal Darla Gardner discusses the online school and how families can learn more about the program in the El Dorado News-Times
- January 16, 2019 – ARCA Learning Coach Angela Borkowski shares her family's positive experience with online school in this Democrat Gazette piece
- October 18, 2018 — ARCA Counselor Jeremy Hoback discusses National Bullying Prevention Month, reasons why families may enroll in online school. Learn more on KNWA
- September 26, 2018 — ARCA students enjoy a field trip to the Old Spanish Treasure Cave. Learn more in the Eagle Observer
- March 15, 2018 — ARCA enrollment open for the 2018-19 school year. Learn more on KNWA
- January 20, 2018 — ARCA Principal Darla Gardner comments on the benefits of virtual school and school choice week on KNWA
- December 6, 2017 — ARCA Board Chair Dennis Beck is honored by the Association for Educational Communications and Technology for exemplary leadership. Learn more in the University of Arkansas
- November 23, 2017 — ARCA students visit Twin Creek Crystal Mine. Learn more in the Sentinel-Record
- November 2, 2017 — ARCA families gather for a field trip to Twin Creek Crystal Mine! Families and teacher Melissa Curiel discuss the benefits of online school in the Southwest Arkansas News
- August 11, 2017 — ARCA Principal Darla Gardner and Learning Coach Hailey Maloney discuss the benefits of online school and why more families are choosing this option on the KNWA
- July 24, 2017 — Annual parent survey shows overwhelming satisfaction with Arkansas Connections Academy virtual public school, teachers and curriculum. Learn more in the PR Web
- July 19, 2017 — ARCA Principal Darla Gardner offers everyday activities parents can use to help prevent summer learning loss. Hear more on KNWA
- July 17, 2017 — ARCA counselor Craig Smith discusses summer learning loss and how parents can help students stay engaged and learning over the break. Learn more on Fox 16
- April 18, 2017 — ARCA counselor Craig Smith offers tips for parents in this Little Rock Family op-ed, "How to Help Your Child Become a Motivated Student"
- March 12, 2017 — ARCA is a great education option for the Purifoy and Klein families! Hear from Principal Darla Gardner about the benefits of online school, and each family's story about their experience at ARCA in the Times Record
- March 3, 2017 — ARCA students gather in-person to celebrate Read Across America Day, reports The Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette
- December 4, 2016 — Students statewide are thriving at ARCA! Hear from Principal Darla Gardner, student Luke Garcia and his mother Teresa about the online school experience in the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette
- October 28, 2016 — ARCA Principal Darla Gardner and Miss Greater Little Rock sit down with Fox 16 to discuss National Bullying Prevention Month, and why families experiencing bullying may choose the online school option
- October 13, 2016 — ARCA Principal Darla Gardner discusses ways that parents can help children facing bullying issues, and how the online school may be a good fit for students, during this KNWA in-studio interview
- August 25, 2016 — ARCA Principal Darla Gardner explains the new online school and reasons that families are enrolling in this education option. Read more in the El Dorado News-Times
- April 7, 2016 — Connections Academy representative TraKisha McNeil and a prospective family discuss Arkansas Connections Academy, and the types of students that may benefit from this option, during a local information session. Learn more on KFSM
COMMUNITY
Connecting on the Local Level
Want to stay connected to Connections Academy and learn more about our local families? Join us on Facebook. Whether you live in one of the small towns or big cities of Arkansas, your local community is a part of who you are. And that makes it a part of who we are, too. Across the state, our community coordinators, Learning Coaches and students volunteer and participate in community events.
Joining us on Facebook is also a wonderful way to learn more about the role of Learning Coaches, including how families just like yours make Online School work for them.
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