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Online Program Accelerates College Credit for High School Students

Connections Academy and the American Public University System have announced a partnership that will offer high school students who attend National Connections Academy, an online K-12 private school, the chance to earn college degrees as they work toward their high school diplomas.

Connections Academy is a virtual education company that operates several regional K-12 online virtual schools. American Public University System is an online university. Through the partnership, students will be able to earn both a high school diploma from National Connections Academy and an associate degree from APUS in four years. The program will also provide an accelerated path to a bachelor's degree. According to the two companies, students who participate will be able to earn the bachelor's degree with two years of study beyond high school.

According to the companies, "Students enrolled in the new College Advantage Program must satisfactorily complete course requirements for both National Connections Academy and American Public University System in order to receive their high school diploma and Associate's degree or Bachelor's degree."

"Our new College Advantage Program is a great way for students to jump start their college career," said Steven Guttentag, senior vice president and chief education officer for Connections Academy, in a prepared statement. Guttentag is also head of school for National Connections Academy. "American Public University System is respected, regionally accredited and will offer our students over seventy degree programs to pursue. We are very pleased to be working with the dedicated team at American Public University System."

"American Public University System is very excited about our new relationship with National Connections Academy," said Wallace E. Boston Jr., president of American Public University System. "Promoting learning and helping people advance their education in order to achieve success in a chosen career and be tomorrow's leaders is central to our mission. By offering this opportunity to students in high school means students may accelerate their success in a flexible and affordable manner."

The program will be open to National Connections Academy students beginning in the 2009-2010 school year. Further information can be found here.

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


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