This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Nearly 90% of MTS Minnesota Connections Academy Parents Would Recommend The Online Public School To Other Parents

MTS Minnesota Connections Academy, an online public school for students K through 12, continues to get high marks from parents, a new study shows. In its 2013-2014 Parent Satisfaction Survey, 85 percent of parents gave Minnesota Connections Academy (MTSMCA) an “A” or “B” grade, and nearly 90 percent would recommend Minnesota Connections Academy to other parents.  

Parents gave the Minnesota Connections Academy program high marks for its academic rigor, program flexibility, the high quality of its teachers, and for delivering high levels of student achievement. Eighty-nine percent of parents reported that their children are making good academic progress, a key evaluator of a child’s education. Ninety-five percent said they were pleased with the helpfulness of their children's teachers.

Parents across the board praised Minnesota Connections Academy, with 93 percent of survey respondents calling it “high quality,” and 80 percent declaring they are more satisfied with the program than their child’s/children’s previous school.

Find out what's happening in Burnsvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“I really like the individualized learning approach,” said Liliana Rios, an MTS Minnesota Connections Academy parent from Sauk Rapids, Minn. "My students are not the same as other students and Connections Academy doesn't expect them to be. The curriculum can be tailored to each one of my students. I don't know of any other school that does this."

Other findings from the new report state:

Find out what's happening in Burnsvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • 95 percent of parents say their child/children are satisfied with MTSMCA’s program

  • 89 percent agree that the teachers improve the learning experience

  • 89 percent rate the response time of MTSMCA's teachers as excellent or good

  • 90 percent agree that they are satisfied with the variety of learning activities provided by the program

  • 91 percent agree that the use of technology is improving the learning experience

    The annual parent survey also revealed that parents’ top reasons for enrolling their students in a Connections Academy school included: wanted or needed a flexible schedule (44%), wanting a different environment from their current school (45%), and expressed a desire for a safe learning environment (35%).

    MTS Minnesota Connections Academy meets the needs of students and families looking for an alternative to a traditional school setting—those who need a flexible schedule, learn at a different pace from their peers, need more individualized attention or seek a learning environment outside of a traditional classroom. The program served more than 1,700 students during the 2013-2014 school year.

    Enrollment for the 2014-15 school year is going on now and free in-person Information Sessions are taking place across the state for families interested in learning more. At the events, families can meet with Connections Academy faculty, explore the school’s program and curriculum, and learn about the enrollment process. Other covered topics include: How teachers interact with students in the virtual environment; personalized learning opportunities, including options for accelerated learning and gifted programs; college preparation; socialization; the role of the parent or other Learning Coach; and the use of technology. Real-time, virtual Information Sessions are also available. For a complete event schedule, visit http://www.connectionsacademy.com/minnesota-online-school/events.aspx.

    Survey methodology


  • Connections Academy conducts the annual Parent Satisfaction Survey to find out how parents, guardians and Learning Coaches grade the program in several key areas. The 2014 survey was conducted from January 14 to February 28, 2014 by Shapiro, an independent market research company which created the questionnaire, collected the data, and tabulated the results. No individual responses were accessible to Connections Academy. Parents of all students enrolled at the time of the survey were invited to complete the survey online.

    1 William J. Bushaw and Shane J. Lopez, The 45th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools, "Betting on Teachers." Phi Delta Kappan, September 2013.


    We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

    The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?