New online K-12 school an option for Alabama students

ATHENS, AL (WBRC) - A new online school starts Monday. It provides education classes for students K-12 living anywhere in the state of Alabama.

Alabama Connections Academy is based out of Athens in the Limestone County school district, but it's also a statewide program for students looking for something different than just going to class.

"The big appeal for students and families in Alabama is the flexibility and versatility that our programs give both parents and students," Jodie Dean, Principal of Alabama Connections said.

Classes start Monday. Just under 500 students have signed up for the K-through-12 program and another 2,000 families are in the process of enrolling. "Students are scheduled into their courses like they would be at a brick and mortar setting and they attend their classes and do their lessons via a computer," Dean said.

An internet connection is a must. The course is free because Alabama Connections Academy is like any public school in Alabama where the education is at no cost.

It's accredited by the state of Alabama and Advance Ed - a naitonal accredatons group.

"There are many types of students who are tuning to us for their education. A lot of students are looking for alternatives to their perhaps crowded brick and mortar neighborhood school," Dean said.

Dean is confident more people will want to enroll in this online program across the state of Alabama as more people learn about it.

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