Dry Creek Connections Independent Study Program

 

*Please note: Connections Academy will close at the end of the 2023-24 school year and will not be an academic option for any Dry Creek or transfer student starting in the third trimester of this school year and beyond. All Connections Academy students on an intra-district transfer will be automatically enrolled in their Dry Creek school of residency. All Connections Academy students on an inter-district transfer will have the opportunity to transfer into one of Dry Creek's award-winning campuses, pending district approval.*

Dry Creek Connections, our District's long-term Independent Study program, is operated at Creekview Ranch School, and 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 in grades 2-8 for the 2023-24 school year. 

Learn about Dry Creek's Connections Independent Study Program by watching our informational video, then complete this short survey prior to enrolling.

Conference Request

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 Educational Services to set up a meeting at kmesserli@dcjesd.us or 916-770-8858. Conferences may be conducted by telephone, video-conference, or in-person.  

Procedures for Enrolling, Disenrolling, and Re-enrolling in Dry Creek Connections Long-Term Independent Study Program

To enroll in Connections Academy, a signed master agreement must be in place for each student. This agreement must be signed by the student's parent/legal guardian and applicable staff. Click here to start your online registration. 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, and you wish to have your student return to in-person instruction during the school year, you may provide notice to the Coordinator of Educational Services, Kati O'Sullivan Messerli (kmesserli@dcjesd.us / 916-770-8858), and your student will be returned to in-person instruction no later than five instructional days after receiving the notice. You may choose to disenroll your student at any point during the school year. 

Students may enroll in Dry Creek Connections at any time during the first and second trimesters by providing notice as outlined above. It is possible that students are denied enrollment into Connections due to factors such as, but not limited to, attendance, grade level standards progress, and/or incomplete work or missing assignments. 

Student Instruction Through Independent Study

Dry Creek Connections students will experience daily live interaction and weekly synchronous and asynchronous instruction. Live interaction means interaction between the student and the teacher, aide or other personnel. This interaction may be in person, by internet, or phone, and may or may not include peers. Synchronous instruction means classroom-style instruction, small group, or one-on-one instruction delivered in person, or by internet or phone, involving two-way communication between the student and teacher.