Program Information

Dry Creek Connections Academy, Dry Creek's long-term Independent Study option*, offers a blend of the best elements of independent learning and live virtual instruction from home. An optimal educational alternative, Connections is tuition-free and part of the Dry Creek Joint Elementary School District. Enrollment is open to all students grades TK-8**. Click here for program brochures, sample schedules and agreements, FAQ's, self-survey to see if Connections Academy is the right fit for your student and more.

*Dry Creek Connections Academy satisfies AB 130, (July 9, 2021).

**Serving grades 2-8 in the 2023-24 school year. 

Parents and guardians have the right to  request a pupil-parent-educator conference to cover any questions they may have about this program prior to making the decision to enroll. Please contact Kati O'Sullivan Messerli, Coordinator of Virtual Learning to set up a meeting at kmesserli@dcjesd.us or 916-770-8858. Conferences may be conducted by telephone, video-conference, or in-person. 

To enroll in Connections Academy, an agreement must be in place for each student. This agreement must be signed by the student's parent/legal guardian. You may start your online registration by clicking here. For students with exceptional needs, the student's individualized education program (IEP) team, at their current school site, must specifically provide for Independent Study before the student can begin participating. 

If your student is enrolled in Dry Creek Connections Academy, and you wish to have your student return to in-person instruction during the school year, you may provide notice to the Coordinator of Virtual Instruction, Kati O'Sullivan Messerli kmesserli@dcjesd.us or 916-770-8858, and your student will be returned to in-person instruction no later than five instructional days after receiving the notice. 

Students may re-enroll in Dry Creek Connections Academy at any time during the school year by providing notice as outlined above. 

Connection students will experience daily live interaction and synchronous instruction. Live interaction means interaction between the student and the teacher, aide or other personnel, and may include peers; this interaction may be in person, by internet, or phone. Synchronous instruction means classroom-style instruction, or small group, or one-on-one instruction delivered in person, or by internet or phone, involving two-way communication between the student and teacher. Click here to view sample schedules.