More than 300 graduating seniors received their high school diplomas this weekend as members of the Ohio Connections Academy Class of 2018.
On Saturday, as many as 220 of the graduating seniors travelled to Columbus from more than 60 Ohio counties to participate in the online charter school’s traditional commencement ceremony in Battelle Hall at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
“While our school offers a non-traditional approach to education, we take a great deal of pride in offering our graduates a traditional commencement ceremony so they may celebrate with their families, friends and teachers,” OCA Superintendent Marie Hanna said. “Every year the faculty and staff at Ohio Connections Academy like to celebrate the hard work, determination and focus that each of these students demonstrated to reach this academic milestone. We appreciate the opportunity that we had to work with all of them individually and we are confident that each student is ready to tackle whatever challenges lie ahead.”
The Class of 2018 is the tenth graduating class for the state’s leading provider of high-quality, tuition-free virtual education for students in grades K–12. Of this year’s OCA graduates, more than half indicated they plan to attend a two or four-year college/university including The Ohio State University, University of Akron, University of Cincinnati, Cuyahoga Community College, Hocking College, Miami University, Sinclair Community College, Ohio University and Youngstown State University.
Twenty of the graduates were members of the National Honor Society while more than 100 graduated with honors (3.5 GPA or better). Overall the Class of 2018 has received more than $1.7 million in college scholarships and awards.
The following students from Clermont County are among Ohio Connections Academy’s Class of 2018*:
Cara Powell, Amelia
Emily Swanson, Batavia
Jacob Grant, Williamsburg
Kylee Ogletree, Cincinnati
Lauren Lain, Amelia
Maelynn Loge, Cincinnati
Mary Forsyth, Cincinnati
Odessa Mittendorf, Loveland
Ryan Randall, Cincinnati
Talia Hoffmann, Loveland
Among the OCA graduates to be honored during the commencement ceremony were 2018 Co-Valedictorians Christiana Hess of Heath (Licking County) and Sarah Robinson of Massillon (Stark County). Christiana has plans to attend The Ohio State University to study bio-chemistry. Sarah plans to study chemical engineering at Akron University.
“There are so many things about Ohio Connections Academy that helped me to succeed academically starting with the ability to work at my own pace while my teachers were always available to help when I needed it,” said Sarah, who has attended OCA since the third grade. “Perhaps what I appreciate most is the flexible schedule that enabled me to take college courses and grow to be an independent learner.”
OCA delivers personalized education for students that combines Ohio-certified teachers , a proven curriculum, as well as technology tools, and community experiences—online and in person—to create a supportive environment for children who want an individualized approach to education.
Enrollment for the Ohio Connections Academy 2018-19 school year is currently open. Interested parents and students are encouraged to learn more at one of the many in-person or online information sessions offered by the school.
*NOTE: Not all students from the area may be included as some asked to not be listed
About Ohio Connections Academy
Ohio Connections Academy (OCA) is a tuition-free, K-12 public eSchool that provides a fully accredited, high-quality and highly accountable virtual education experience for approximately 4,700 students from all over Ohio. OCA combines Ohio-certified teachers and a rigorous, individualized curriculum designed by national education experts and customized to meet the specific standards set by the Ohio Department of Education.
For more information, call 800–382–6010 or visit www.OhioConnectionsAcademy.com Connections Academy and its parent company, Connections Education, are part of the global learning company Pearson (NYSE:PSO) www.Pearson.com.