Connected Academy

Connected Academy opens in August

Sarah Grace Parr

Staff Writer

The Connected Academy, a Fulton County charter school, plans to open its doors on Aug. 13, 2007, at 8:30 a.m.  Opening with approximately 250 students, the overall student population will continue to grow until reaching a maximum of 500.  "Northview is an excellent school," states Connected Academy principal Dr. Susan Caster.  "Connected Academy provides another option.  We offer a smaller, more personalized environment.  Internships are part of the curriculum. and making real world connections is our hallmark."

Connected Academy is Fulton's newest charter school, offering block scheduled classes for rising juniors and seniors.  Connected Academy teaches most classes offered at Northview; however, specific classes such as AP Language and the first two years of world language classes will not be available for the upcoming school year.  Instead, Dr. Caster says, "If there is a group of students who want to take it, we'll offer it.  All students have the option to take a class online." 

According to the Connected Academy website, incoming student Sarah, a sophomore, says, "Connected Academy is the right school for me because it is a school focused on academic achievements rather than sports and social activities."

Former Northview employee Ms. Donna Gunter now works at Connected Academy.  The school allows her to work more jobs such as bookkeeping along with office work, whereas at Northview's large facility encourages staff specialization.

Connected Academy offers courses for students that connect the academic world to the real world.  "Our vision is to provide an educational environment where students are all passionate about something and working towards it," Dr. Caster remarks.  Internships are available and encouraged, allowing students to explore future career goals.

"I'm really interested in Connected Academy," mentions sophomore Shivani Shah, because it seems to be really neat.  It's unlike any school I've heard of, and it's so small."

"When Milton moved to the new location, there was a lot of discussion as to what would happen to the old building," Dr. Caster said.  A research group was then hired to brainstorm possible plans for the building, finding, according to Dr. Caster, "people want a more relevant education."  Fulton County residents want ways for students to connect to the materials being addressed in school.  Residents want alternative teaching methods to prevent students from sitting in classrooms, asking how math related to real life.

"It has taken a couple of years to come full circle," Dr. Caster concludes, but after working with an educational strategist, Connected Academy is opening within the year.