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Needs Improvement

#1322 of 1,356 schools in AL

Alabama Connections Academy

School · Limestone County

21465 AL Hwy 99, Athens, AL 35614

Virtual

Enrollment

7,245

Score

3.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Athens

#14 of 14

public schools

Alabama schools

#90 of 90

In district

#16 of 16

Limestone County

About Alabama Connections Academy

Alabama Connections Academy serves 7,245 students from kindergarten through 12th grade in Athens, Alabama. As a public virtual school, it provides online education to students across the state while maintaining its physical location in Limestone County. The school currently holds a 4.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks in the 24th percentile among Alabama schools.

Academic performance shows significant room for growth, with 42% of students achieving proficiency in English Language Arts and reading, while mathematics presents a particular challenge with 9% of students meeting proficiency standards. These results suggest the school is working to strengthen its academic programs and support systems. As an online academy, Alabama Connections Academy offers families the flexibility of virtual learning while providing structured curriculum and instruction.

The school serves students from diverse backgrounds across Alabama, giving families an alternative educational option regardless of their geographic location. The school's administrative offices are situated in the Athens area of Limestone County, a community where the median household income is $56,415 and the median home value is $170,900. This rural setting near Athens provides a quiet backdrop for the school's operations while serving students throughout Alabama's varied communities and regions.

What Parents Should Know

Alabama Connections Academy is a large school with 7,245 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

Located in a rural area, Alabama Connections Academy may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Alabama Connections Academy is a virtual school, meaning instruction is delivered primarily online. Virtual schools offer flexibility but require strong self-discipline and a reliable home learning environment. Parents should consider whether their child thrives with independent, technology-based learning and ask about the school's approach to student engagement and support.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.2Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.49 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.1Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Reading vs. State Avg-40.8 pts
Overall Proficiency26%
Expected (poverty-adj.)34%
vs. Expected-8.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
College Readiness1.9Significantly Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.2Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Per-Pupil Spending$8,021

Alabama Connections Academy — Students at Alabama Connections Academy score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 17.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 53.6%
School
State
86.9%

Based on 8 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
29%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
14%
ELA
44%
2022
Math
9%
ELA
42%
2024
ELA
67.5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.2/10.

How Alabama Connections Academy Compares

See how Alabama Connections Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.6/10
3th percentile in AL
Academic
5.1/10
5.1/10
Growth
6.2/10
Above average
Environment
1.2/10
Below average

Location

21465 AL Hwy 99, Athens, AL 35614

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Alabama Connections Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. ATHENS BIBLE SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 6.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is LINDSAY LANE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 5.2/10, 8.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Athens Renaissance School (rated 4.2/10, 6.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Athens, see our Athens schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.5 mi
School Distance Rating
James L Cowart Elementary School Athens 4.6 mi 4.3
Athens Intermediate School Athens 5.1 mi 6.9
Athens Elementary School Athens 5.2 mi 8.6
Athens Renaissance School Athens 6.0 mi 4.2
Julian Newman Elementary School Athens 6.0 mi 7.4
Athens High School Athens 6.2 mi 4.7
Elkmont High School Elkmont 6.8 mi 4.6
Elkmont Elementary School Elkmont 6.8 mi 7.0
ATHENS BIBLE SCHOOL Athens 6.4 mi 6.6
Athens Middle School Athens 6.5 mi 4.9
Brookhill Elementary School Athens 6.9 mi 8.6
Piney Chapel Elementary School Athens 6.4 mi 6.1
Sugar Creek Elementary School Lester 7.3 mi 8.6
West Limestone High School Lester 7.3 mi 5.3
Blue Springs Elementary School Athens 7.3 mi 7.2
LINDSAY LANE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Athens 8.0 mi 5.2
Tanner High School Tanner 9.4 mi 5.1
Tanner Elementary School Tanner 9.4 mi 5.5
Clements High School Athens 8.7 mi 4.0
THE PINNACLE SCHOOLS - ELK RIVER TREATMENT PROGRAM Elkmont 10.5 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35614 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,296

Median Home Value

$178,200

Median Rent

$1,022/mo

Population

7,157

College Educated

21.4%

Homeownership

75.2%

Avg Commute

31.6 min

Poverty Rate

18.1%

Median Age

41

Community Profile

The community surrounding Alabama Connections Academy has a median household income of $57,296. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $178,200, with a median rent of $1,022/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.1%. The average commute for residents is 32 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Alabama Virtual Academy at Eufaula City Schools Eufaula, AL 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Alabama Connections Academy

What grades does Alabama Connections Academy serve?

Alabama Connections Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Alabama Connections Academy?

Alabama Connections Academy has an enrollment of approximately 7,245 students.

How does Alabama Connections Academy rank in AL?

Alabama Connections Academy is ranked #1322 out of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Alabama Connections Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Alabama Connections Academy has a composite rating of 3.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Alabama Connections Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Alabama Connections Academy has 17.3% math proficiency and 53.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Alabama Connections Academy a charter school?

No, Alabama Connections Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Alabama Connections Academy a Title I school?

No, Alabama Connections Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Alabama Connections Academy?

67.7% of students at Alabama Connections Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
24 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,316/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Athens). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
7,245
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Limestone County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Limestone County
District Enrollment
15,893
Schools in District
17
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,240
District Rank
#16 of 16

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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