Alabama Connections Academy, the state’s first public online school, has seen tremendous growth and success during its first semester.

The tuition-free school gives students grades K–12 access to Alabama-certified teachers and a year’s worth of curriculum from the comfort of their home computer.

According to ALCA’s principal Jodie Dean, families chose the virtual school option for numerous reasons.

Some children have health conditions that make attending a brick-and-mortar school impractical. Other kids learn at a slower or quicker pace. Some students are heavily involved in extracurricular activities and need the flexibility of an online school.

And sadly, others have been so bullied they feel safer studying at home.

Whatever their reason, Dean said it is all about choice.

Since opening enrollment May 2, the virtual academy has grown to include a little more than 1,000 students from throughout Alabama. Of that number, 30 are from Limestone County.

During the course of the semester, Dean said that they had several students transfer into the program. Dean is gearing up to hire more virtual teachers to accommodate the 150–200 students who have indicated interest in enrolling in the spring.

Looking back over the school’s brief history, Dean said they have made significant progress. She pointed to the school’s focus on providing nonthreatening socialization opportunities for students as one reason why.

“Every Friday in October, our families could attend a field trip,” she said. “We traveled all over the state to educational sites that were historically relevant.”

After each tour, families gathered for a picnic where students participated in a group art lesson. Samples of the students’ work were displayed during the Limestone County Week of Schools.

Dean is planning another round of field trips in March.

Response from participating families has been overwhelmingly positive, according to Dean.

“We have a lot of families that are absolutely overjoyed with this educational delivery method,” she said. “Many truly enjoy the quality of the curriculum, its flexibility and the high level of contact they have had with their children’s teachers.”

Others, Dean said, “were taken aback by the vigorous academic program. Some people didn’t realize our program would be as challenging as it is.”

As the school looks forward, Dean plans on continuing to keep parents informed and involved in their children’s education. She also plans to begin comparing current test scores with past assessments in order to gauge how well the virtual concept works for Alabama students.

“This year is a benchmark year to see what is working and what needs improvement,” she said. “Our goal is to continue to enroll students and give families options that work for them.”

ALCA is housed in the former Owens Elementary building on Alabama 99. Dean served as principal of the virtual school New Mexico Connections before joining ALCA.