The Oregon Connections Academy is a free online charter school that is providing quality education services to some four thousand K-12 students spread all over the state. The Academy, known by the acronym ORCA, gives its students the freedom and flexibility to learn at home, and with the same high standards required by the state.

The ORCA curriculum was devised by leading education experts, and the instruction comes from state-certified teachers, each of whom has previous experience in online instruction. There are about one hundred and forty ORCA teachers, and school officials say that, as enrollment increases, they will hire more. Enrollment stays open throughout the year and teachers always have the opportunity to connect with their students.

"We are the most successful online virtual charter school in the State of Oregon," says K-12 Lead Principal Gareth Pooleon, "with the highest student achievement rates, and the largest population of students, from all over Oregon."

The reasons why some students choose to enroll in virtual classes are nearly as abundant as the students themselves. But one of the most common reasons cited is flexibility. Students taking online courses can do their classwork at a schedule that best suits them. Slow starters don't need to worry about rolling out of bed and catching a bus on time; night owls can burn the midnight oil. And those who prefer a slow but steady approach can devote a few hours less to school during the week, and make up the difference over the weekend.

Accessibility is another reason students opt for online school. Showing up to a traditional classroom can be a challenge for disabled students, but in an online environment, chances are the teacher won't even know a student has a disability. And students whose first language is not English can review online lectures as many times as they like, and review difficult material at their own pace.

Gareth Pooleon is the K-12 Lead Principal at the Oregon Connections Academy. He has been at ORCA since 2007. His responsibilities include managing relationships with the Oregon Department Office of Education, the Oregon State Charter School Board, and the Oregon State Board of Education, and ensuring the professionalism of ORCA's faculty. It is up to him to stay current with all state education policies, procedures and legislation. He also strives to ensure the academic success of all ORCA students by communicating with their parents, and by using all levels of academic support that are available to him and the school.

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