All About Our Michigan Online School Options

December 17, 2024 byConnections Academy

4 min to read

A Connections Academy online middle school student sitting on the floor in front of a grey couch and working on their tablet while taking an online class.

Every child in Michigan deserves a great education. For many, that might be in a traditional, brick-and-mortar public or private school. However, you might be wondering if your child might be better suited for enrollment in a Michigan online school.

What Is Online Public School in Michigan?

Michigan has three Connections Academy offerings available: Lighthouse Connections Academy, Great Lakes Learning Academy, and Michigan Connections Academy. All three are tuition-free online public schools, they are all accredited, classes are taught by credentialed teachers, and the curriculum is developed by experts in online learning.

Where Is Online School Available in Michigan?

Great Lakes Learning Academy, Michigan Connections Academy, and Lighthouse Connections Academy are available to all Michigan students in Alcona County, Alger County, Allegan County, Alpena County, Antrim County, Arenac County, Baraga County, Barry County, Bay County, Benzie County, Berrien County, Branch County, Calhoun County, Cass County, Charlevoix County, Cheboygan County, Chippewa County, Clare County, Clinton County, Crawford County, Delta County, Dickinson County, Eaton County, Emmet County, Genesee County, Gladwin County, Gogebic County, Grand Traverse County, Gratiot County, Hillsdale County, Houghton County, Huron County, Ingham County, Ionia County, Iosco County, Iron County, Isabella County, Jackson County, Kalamazoo County, Kalkaska County, Kent County, Keweenaw County, Lake County, Lapeer County, Leelanau County, Lenawee County, Livingston County, Luce County, Mackinac County, Macomb County, Manistee County, Marquette County, Mason County, Mecosta County, Menominee County, Midland County, Missaukee County, Monroe County, Montcalm County, Montmorency County, Muskegon County, Newaygo County, Oakland County, Oceana County, Ogemaw County, Ontonagon County, Osceola County, Oscoda County, Otsego County, Ottawa County, Presque Isle County, Roscommon County, Saginaw County, St. Clair County, St. Joseph County, Sanilac County, Schoolcraft County, Shiawassee County, Tuscola County, Van Buren County, Washtenaw County, Wayne County, and Wexford County.

Who Can Attend Online School in Michigan?

Michigan Connections Academy and Lighthouse Connections Academy are available to families looking to enroll students in kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, or high school and who live in Michigan and meet eligibility criteria, including age limitations and immunization requirements, and have access to a reliable internet connection in a safe learning environment. Enrollment capacity is limited; students who apply after capacity has been reached will be placed on a first-come, first-served waitlist.

Great Lakes Learning Academy is open for enrollment to students in grades 6–12 who live in Michigan and meet eligibility criteria, including age limitations and immunization requirements, and have access to a reliable internet connection in a safe learning environment. Enrollment capacity is limited; students who apply after capacity has been reached will be placed on a first-come, first-served waitlist.

How Much Does Online School in Michigan Cost?

As online public schools in Michigan, Lighthouse Connections Academy, Great Lakes Learning Academy, and Michigan Connections Academy are tuition free, which includes the books and the curriculum. Families are responsible for the costs of school supplies, in-person field trips, and providing their own internet access. However, a hardship internet service subsidy may be provided, as well as a computer if eligible.

Why Choose Online Public School in Michigan?

Students enrolled in Michigan Connections Academy, Great Lakes Learning Academy, or Lighthouse Connections Academy enjoy the flexibility of online classes, the ability to learn at their own pace, more individualized attention from teachers, and freedom from the distractions present in traditional schools, like bullying. Parents also appreciate the ability to be more involved in their children’s education.

What Does Michigan Connections Academy Offer?

As an online school in Michigan, Michigan Connections Academy offers an accredited education with the flexibility to attend classes and do homework on the schedule that works best for your student and your family, with classes taught by accredited teachers, as well as the availability for greater parental involvement than is possible in traditional, brick-and-mortar schools. Connections Academy has also partnered with certain colleges and trade programs to offer a variety of learning tracks in online high school. Michigan Connections Academy is NCAA approved and offers gifted learning programs and Advanced Placement®* courses for high school students.

Michigan Connections Academy at a glance:

offers dual enrollment for eligible high school students to simultaneously earn high school and college credit
offers gifted and talented, honors, special education, and Advanced Placement courses for high school students
offers gifted and talented programs for elementary and middle school 
provides Career and Technical Education courses for high school students 
provides Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and a range of special education services

Is Online Public School in Michigan Accredited?

When your child attends Michigan Connections Academy. Great Lakes Learning Academy or Lighthouse Connections Academy, they’ll be attending an accredited public school where they can meet all the Michigan educational and high school graduation requirements.

Michigan Connections Academy is authorized through a Charter Contract by Ferris State University Charter Schools Office. Connections Academy schools are supported by Connections Education LLC, which is accredited by Cognia, formerly AdvancED.

Great Lakes Learning Academy is authorized through Central Michigan University.

Lighthouse Connections Academy and Great Lakes Learning Academy are accredited by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, the Northwest Accreditation Commission, and the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), which are accrediting divisions of Cognia.

What Does Lighthouse Connections Academy offer?

Similar to Michigan Connections Academy, Lighthouse Connections Academy allow students to complete their schoolwork and lessons anytime of the day or night, which allows families to work school in around medical appointments, sports, performances, or anything else that would make a traditional school schedule difficult. Students can also work ahead within the current semester or take extra time if they find a particular chapter/unit/concept to be challenging.