Great River Connections Academy Recognizes Columbus Students

Columbus residents, Ileah Parker and Austin Noel, were recently selected to be among Great River Connections Academy’s Students of the Month in recognition of their outstanding achievements and leadership in the virtual classroom.

Ileah, a junior at statewide online public charter school, was nominated by her teacher, Mrs. Hannah, because of her hard work and the example she sets for the rest of her class. Austin, a senior, was nominated by his teacher, Mrs. Parlow, because of his determination to get good grades and succeed in online classroom.

“Our students of the month demonstrate leadership and an extraordinary commitment to learning while serving as strong role models for their peers,” said Jason Swinehart, Principal at Great River Connections Academy. “The members of our faculty and staff are proud to give these virtual classroom leaders the recognition they deserve.”

According to Ileah, she enrolled in Great River Connections Academy last year in search of a safe learning environment where she would have the ability to manage her own schedule. Compared to her previous school, Ileah said she feels safer learning in a virtual classroom where her teachers are very engaged with students and create a safe, supportive environment.

“I have a good relationship with most of my teachers this year,” Ileah said. “I'd like to give a shoutout to my Honors English 11 teacher Mrs. Hannah. She has been very supportive of my writing and helping me out with a college scholarship.”

Austin said he came to GRCA in 2020 to be in a learning environment in which he believes the teachers care about every student and encourage students to seek out help when they need it. His favorite subjects at Great River Connections Academy are Algebra with Finance, high school computer science, English, and game design for Chromebook.

“In my old school you'd get made fun of if you had a question. With GRCA, there is no such thing as a stupid question,” Austin said.

As a Student of the Month, Ileah and Austin will each receive a certificate of achievement and be profiled in the Great River Connections Academy student newsletter and the school’s social media platforms.

Virtual school is a great fit for a variety of students and each student is unique. Those who attend Great River Connections Academy come from different backgrounds and choose full-time online school for various reasons. Some students prefer to take ownership of their education and benefit from the flexibility that virtual school offers, while others are looking for a safe learning environment.

Great River Connections Academy is hosting online information sessions for families interested in learning more about virtual education. A complete schedule of events as well as more information about Great River Connections Academy is available at www.GreatRiverConnectionsAcademy.com or by calling 1-(800) 382-6010.

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About Great River Connections Academy

Great River Connections Academy (GRCA) is a unique, tuition-free, online public school for K-12 students. Every day, we create a high-quality educational experience that keeps students motivated and engaged in a safe, virtual learning environment. In addition to academics, teachers focus on emotional well-being and social development, working closely with families to help students learn how they learn best. Here, students gain the skills and confidence they need to direct their own educational journey, learning to thrive in the real world by first learning how to be resourceful and resilient. For more information, call 1-800-382-6010 or visit www.GreatRiverConnectionsAcademy.com.