Key takeaways
Legacy and Connections Academy are both full-time online K-12 options, but they sit on opposite sides of the private/public line. Legacy is a WASC-accredited private school built around small, live-taught classes. Connections Academy is a tuition-free public charter network run in partnership with Pearson, with class sizes set by state enrollment rather than by design.
- Legacy costs $149/month; Connections Academy is free, funded by state education budgets.
- Legacy caps Live Group classes at 15 students, a 1:15 ratio; Connections Academy’s state-reported ratios run from 23:1 to 43:1.
- Both Connections Academy and Legacy have NCAA-approved courses (Legacy is Cleared with the NCAA Eligibility Center and has 47 NCAA-approved core courses).
- Legacy names Arizona State University and the University of South Florida for dual enrollment; Connections Academy’s access varies by state program.
Contents
We are a US-accredited international online school that coexists with local schooling. Families are responsible for ensuring compliance with any local education requirements applicable to their situation.
Summary Table
| Feature | Legacy Online School | Connections Academy |
| Accreditation | WASC, private diploma | Cognia-accredited, state-recognized public diploma |
| Instructional model | Live Group classes + self-paced option | Scheduled live sessions, larger groups |
| Class size / ratio | Capped at 15, 1:15 ratio | 23:1 to 43:1 (state-reported) |
| Tuition | $149/month (~$1,788/year) | Free (state-funded) |
| Student support | Personal Learning Support Specialist (LSS) | Homeroom teacher/advisor, counselors |
| AP courses | College Board Level I-approved (code 000114) | Available in high school, catalog varies by state |
| Dual enrollment | Arizona State University, University of South Florida | Varies by state program |
| NCAA course approval | Cleared with the NCAA Eligibility Center (47 NCAA-approved core courses) | Approved |
Accreditation
Legacy is accredited by WASC and issues a private school diploma. Connections Academy programs are accredited by Cognia and operate as state-approved public charter schools, issuing a state-recognized public diploma. Both are legitimate credentials – the difference is which body reviews the school and which type of diploma the student earns.
Class Size: The Clearest Structural Difference
Legacy caps Live Group classes at 15 students, a 1:15 teacher-to-student ratio, by design. Connections Academy doesn’t set a ratio the same way – state-reported student-teacher ratios for its programs run from 23:1 in South Carolina to 43:1 in Florida, according to Niche’s compilation of NCES enrollment data. That’s not a knock on the teachers; it reflects how a state-funded network serving thousands of students spreads attention differently than a smaller private program.
Tuition
Connections Academy costs families nothing directly – it’s funded by state per-pupil budgets. Legacy’s tuition starts at $149/month; full pricing is on our tuition and fees page. For cost-conscious families, Connections Academy has the clear edge. For families prioritizing class size and live instruction, Legacy’s tuition buys a fixed 1:15 ratio that a state-funded model isn’t built to match.
Student Support
Legacy assigns each family a Learning Support Specialist (LSS) who handles scheduling, attendance, and academic questions directly – one point of contact from enrollment onward. Connections Academy assigns a homeroom teacher or advisor, backed by counselors, across a larger student population.
AP Courses and Dual Enrollment
Legacy’s AP courses run through College Board Level I status, school code 000114 – see the full AP courses list. Students can also earn college credit before graduating through dual enrollment with Arizona State University or the University of South Florida, both named partners. Connections Academy offers AP coursework in high school too, but the specific catalog and any dual enrollment access depend on which state’s program a student is enrolled in.
NCAA Eligibility
Connections Academy’s core high school courses are NCAA-approved, and so are Legacy’s: the school is Cleared with the NCAA Eligibility Center and has 47 NCAA-approved core courses. For families with a student-athlete targeting NCAA Division I or II eligibility, the course list is a real factor. Families in that situation should verify current course approval status directly with the NCAA Eligibility Center.
Why Families Choose Legacy Over Connections Academy
- 1:15 vs. up to 43:1. Legacy’s class-size cap is fixed by design; Connections Academy’s ratio depends on state enrollment and funding that year.
- Daily live teaching as the default, not a scheduled add-on to independent work.
- Named university dual enrollment – Arizona State University and the University of South Florida, not a “varies by state” answer.
- One dedicated Learning Support Specialist per family, not a shared advisor pool.
Where Connections Academy leads: it’s free. Families should weigh that against the class-size and live-teaching gap above.
Top Tips from Our Expert
Maya Robinson, College Prep Advisor
- Ask any online school directly for its current student-teacher ratio, not just its marketing description of “small classes.”
- If your student is a competitive athlete, confirm NCAA course status with the NCAA Eligibility Center before enrolling anywhere – don’t rely on a school’s own claim alone.
- For dual enrollment, ask which specific university the credit transfers to, and get it in writing before the school year starts.
- Compare the total annual cost, not just the monthly figure – some “free” programs still carry supply or activity fees.
We are a US-accredited international online school that coexists with local schooling. Families are responsible for ensuring compliance with any local education requirements applicable to their situation.
