Online Learning Providers Announce Acquisition: Connections Education to Acquire Assets of Advanced Academics Inc.

Online learning solutions from Advanced Academics will gain expanded distribution and enhance Connections Education's comprehensive collection of courses, tools, and services for middle and high school, grades 6-12

BALTIMORE, Md. and OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (PRWEB) January 03, 2014

Connections Education (CE) (http://www.ConnectionsEducation.com), a leading K-12 virtual education provider, has acquired the education products and service assets of Advanced Academics (AAI), an e-learning provider serving grades 6-12 and part of DeVry Education Group Inc.

AAI offers a spectrum of high-quality online courses for students in grades 6-12 from core academic subjects to Advanced Placement, World Languages, Test Prep, electives, proprietary learning management systems, and teaching services. AAI has relationships with over 170 school districts and charter schools and its annual course enrollments have grown from 51,000 in 2010 to over 83,000 today. Connections looks forward to expanding its current offerings that are already meeting the needs of more than 1,000 schools and school districts and tens of thousands of students globally.

Barbara Dreyer, president and chief executive officer for Connections Education, said, “Over the past 11 years serving the K-12 education community, we have come to know and respect DeVry Group – its quality leadership in postsecondary education, and its commitment to AAI since its acquisition in 2007. We share a similar mission – one that focuses on offering schools and students innovative high-quality online learning choices. As part of the AAI transaction, we are also announcing the start of a new relationship that will provide eligible high school students with the ability to transfer select credits earned at a DeVry Group institution towards their high school diploma.    CE is committed to continuing to build our college and career readiness offerings and we look forward to working with DeVry Group to expand these efforts.”

Connections Education, part of the global learning company Pearson PSO, serves, in the 2013-14 school year, students in grades K-12 through: 25 Connections Academy virtual public schools in 23 states, an online international private school, Nexus Academy blended high schools, and Connections Learning by Pearson, a division dedicated to the online learning needs of schools and school districts. Connections Education expects to serve over 100,000 students in the 2013-14 school year.

Founded in 2000, Advanced Academics has been a part of DeVry Education Group since 2007, and during that time, has provided outstanding educational programs and services to students and school systems. With an unwavering dedication to student success, AAI has represented DeVry Group well, including their role as the provider of curriculum and instruction for the United States Ski and Snowboard Association's TEAM academy.

“Advanced Academics has played a leading role in dropout prevention and credit recovery courses that combine teaching, tutoring, and coaching. Providing quality offerings that help students graduate is of critical importance to all schools and we look forward to being able to combine the capabilities of the AAI products and teachers with award-winning GradPoint products we already offer,” continued Connections' Dreyer.

“Important synergies exist between Connections and Advanced Academics,” said Robert York, president of Advanced Academics. “Both Connections and Pearson are well-known throughout the education industry for delivering innovative products and strong value. Their online programs are effective and their emphasis on quality outcomes is a good match for our culture.”

York added, “DeVry Group has developed a number of initiatives to support high school students including special courses for high school juniors and seniors, blended learning opportunities for high school students at DeVry Group campus locations, and a variety of post-secondary opportunities for students who begin their relationship with DeVry Group through these initiatives. We look forward to working with Connections Education to continue and expand these programs that have helped so many students.”

Parchman, Vaughan & Company, L.L.C. acted as advisors to DeVry Group.

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About Connections Education

Connections Education is a leading provider of high-quality, highly accountable virtual education solutions for students in grades K–12. Since 2001, the company's Connections Academy division has delivered individualized learning to students through virtual public schools. In the 2013–14 school year, 25 Connections Academy virtual (online) public schools operate in 23 states and expect to serve more than 50,000 students from across the U.S. The Connections Learning by Pearson division meets the needs of schools, school districts, and other institutions looking to develop and enhance their online learning programs. Connections Learning by Pearson delivers a full range of targeted digital learning solutions to the K–12 education community including online courses, a program for homebound students, a digital learning platform, a private online school and a line of blended learning programs called Nexus Academy schools. More than 1000 schools, school districts, state departments of education and other educational institutions, serving tens of thousands of students throughout the United States and beyond, are already utilizing Connections Learning by Pearson products and services. Connections Education is committed to expanding quality education through technology and helping students achieve both academic and personal success. For more information, call 800–382–6010 or visit http://www.ConnectionsEducation.com. Connections Education is part of the global learning company Pearson PSO.

About Advanced Academics

Advanced Academics, a leader in the field of online learning, partners with schools and districts in 30 states across the country to offer customized online solutions that uniquely serve each customer and deliver strong academic outcomes. Advanced Academics' programs have proven to be successful in providing flexible learning opportunities for students in grades 6 through 12 and increasing overall academic performance. Since 2000, Advanced Academics has offered comprehensive middle and high school courses, highly qualified and state-certified teachers, and a web-based learning management system that enhances student learning. For more information, visit http://www.advancedacademics.com.

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