Three county families have already enrolled in the alternative education option that is new to Kings County.

And 81 children are enrolled in the "school" throughout the Central Valley chapter of Connections Academy, which has been available for two years. That enrollment number is projected to double in 2008-2009.

Connections Academy has the individualization of a charter school, the personalized curriculum ability of a private school, the location of home school and the cost of a public school. Connections Academy is a virtual school, through which most instruction is done on a computer at the student's home.

In addition to at-home instruction with an online and phone support system, Connections Academy coordinates frequent field trips for all of its students in each region, says Jonathan Horowitz, principal of Capistrano and Central California Connections Academy.

In 2008-2009, Connections Academy will offer 12th grade, making it a full K-12 institution. Students will have access to everything from Mandarin to calculus, and Horowitz is aiming to give the new senior class their own prom.

"We do everything we can to optimize the social component," Horowitz said.

Horowitz said Connections Academy is for anyone who thinks it would be better for their child to stay at home because something is not working out optimally in the traditional school setting. But the students are still required to take standardized state testing, and they will still receive college counseling.

"They still have all of the opportunities with us that they would have in a regular brick and mortar," Horowitz said.

Emily Donohue, who does public relations for Connections Academy through Allison and Partners, said the alternative can be for those students who are ahead in one academic area or perhaps have an attention disorder. It could also be for children who can't attend during traditional school hours, because they are involved in other activities, such as training to be a professional ice skater.

At Connections Academy, students benefit from personalized attention, and since it is a public school, there is no tuition to attend.

Free information sessions will be held soon to give families an opportunity to meet Connections Academy teachers and the principal, talk with parents of students who are currently enrolled in the program, observe a presentation of technologies and view the curriculum.

Parents with children in grades K-12 should attend. Representatives from Connections Academy will be available for questions. The local recruitment session will be on Monday, April 14, at 6:30 p.m. at the Irwin Street Inn, 522 N. Irwin St., in Hanford. Refreshments will be served, and children are welcome to attend with their parents.

For more information on the institution, call 800-382-6010 or visit www.connectionsacademy.com.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2424.

(March 23, 2008)