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Online & Blended Learning
Empower students to reach their highest potential with a full-time online learning solution.
Pearson
Online & Blended Learning
“E-learning can be life-changing or even lifesaving.”
— Full-time online learning student
How it works
A full-time partner for your full-time online school
We help communities build programs that meet the diverse and complex needs of their students with a variety of implementations. Our turnkey programs deliver the know-how, starting with a state-of-the-art learning management system (LMS), online courses, and expert teachers.
District
partner option
Regional
partner option
Statewide Connections Academy
partner option
Broaden opportunities
Provide award-winning, engaging curriculum and expert teachers, in a student-centered learning platform.
Become a district of choice
Meet students’ and families’ diverse needs and expand choices for learning.
Get A–Z solutions and support
Leverage our 18+ years of experience in online education to turn your digital concepts into reality with full support.
About us
18+ years of experience in online schools
In 2001, the first Connections Academy online school was established, and in 2011, Connections Academy became part of the Pearson family. Since then we have:
- partnered with more than 3,000 districts, boards, or chartering authorities to launch online programs throughout the world
- grown to serve more than 70,000 full-time students each year in Connections Academy partner schools
- established 43 regional or statewide Connections Academy programs in 30 states
- received numerous awards for our innovative technology solutions and outstanding staff and teachers
Introducing our partner leadership team
Select an individual to learn more about them.
Tom ap Simon
Managing Director
Tom ap Simon joined Pearson in 2004 and has been successfully leading many aspects of our various businesses. Prior to becoming managing director, Tom was senior vice president (SVP) of finance for growth markets where he focused on building our talent, culture, and financial discipline to drive the turnaround in 2016. He helped lead a sharper strategic focus within the growth division, deliver year over year profit growth, and increase profit margins. As managing director, Tom oversees the Online & Blended Learning division at Pearson. He executes our strategic vision to deliver the best possible services for the schools, programs, and families we support. Tom has a masters of Economics and Politics from the University of Edinburgh.
Holly Atwell
Senior Vice President, Academic Services
Holly Atwell is a leader in school services. She oversees the Student Academic Services division which provides services to students, including teaching, tutoring, speech, and special education management. She also leads several teams that support training, program management, facilities management, state reporting, school counseling, human resources, and compliance services for schools. Prior to joining Pearson in 2008, Holly taught high school math and led district STEM and magnet initiatives in a Maryland county school district. She began her career as an industrial engineer and program manager and has 20 years of experience in the industry. She holds a masters of Education from University of Maryland University College and a BS in Industrial Engineering from Pennsylvania State University.
Eric Hilfer
Vice President, Software Engineering
Prior to joining Pearson, Eric Hilfer ran Rosetta Stone's language product portfolio spanning curriculum, speech technology, engineering, quality assurance, devops and Agile delivery. Eric joined Rosetta Stone in 2014 from Scholastic and Tom Snyder Productions, where he built and scaled the engineering organization that delivered the award-winning Read 180 and Math 180 intervention suite for K-12 literacy and math. He has been driving technology innovation since the early 1980s and has excelled at bringing rigorous development methodologies and best practices like Scaled Agile and Lean to the mission-driven edtech sector. Eric graduated magna cum laude from Amherst College and conducted post-graduate research in experimental physics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Dr. Donna Hutchison
Vice President, Sales
Dr. Donna Hutchinson leads a national sales team and works with public school districts, charter schools, and state agencies to design and establish turnkey Connections Academy schools and robust full-time online learning programs. Before joining the Online & Blended Learning division at Pearson in 2010, Donna served as superintendent of Idaho Digital Learning Academy, a state virtual school for eight years, where she collaborated with superintendents throughout the state of Idaho. She has a PhD in Online Education & Curriculum from the University of Idaho, EdS from Boise State University, MS in Educational Technology from Boise State University, and BS in MIS/Marketing from the University of Virginia. Donna is also a certified teacher and school administrator.
Amar Kumar
Senior Vice President, Product & Portfolio Management
Amar Kumar leads a team that defines the strategy and sets the plans for the products and services used at all Connections Academy schools. Prior to Pearson, Amar was working with McKinsey & Company’s education and high-tech practices. He also served as a teacher and a principal at a rural school in Bangalore, India, which is where his passion for education was ignited.
Anne Parmley
Senior Vice President, Client Development and Partnerships
Anne Parmley is charged with acquiring, retaining, and supporting our institutional customers. She is accountable for the success of institutional customer relationships, developing and executing growth plans, building effective relationships with key stakeholders, and collaborating with the Online & Blended Learning team to launch and manage programs successfully. Anne has 15 years of experience in education services within Pearson’s School Assessment team where she led over 200 assessment delivery experts to provide comprehensive educational assessment solutions to state, national, and federal organizations.
Jay W. Ragley
Vice President, State and Strategic Client Relations
Jay W. Ragley has been with Pearson since 2013. In his current role, he supervises a team of eight state and strategic client relations directors who manage government affairs, new virtual school development, parent advocacy, and external relationships. He also manages multi-million dollar budgets and virtual school funding and monitors virtual school legislation. In his previous role as director of legislative and public affairs for South Carolina Department of Education, he managed the legislative agenda and communication strategies for the state superintendent of education. Jay is a member of the Pearson Ventures Advisory Group and he holds a BS in Economics from Clemson University.
Michelle (Shelly) Shires
Vice President, Content
Michelle (Shelly) Shires is a visionary, collaborative, and innovative product leader. She has 17+ years of experience managing large, complex, and transformational product initiatives with both internal and external, geographically distributed teams in the digital product and services industry. She is a subject matter expert known for establishing and implementing top-notch full product development lifecycle and large-scale global delivery. Shelly is a strong leader who provides organizational direction, development, and coaching, and has been credited for transforming teams recognized for high performance and adaptability.
Student success stories
We help students develop pathways to success by building on their individual strengths and interests in an online setting that’s both safe and connected to a larger community. Discover how full-time online schools create lifelong learners who are prepared for future school and careers through:
- outstanding curriculum
- exceptional K–12 teachers
- individual attention
- parent-supported online learning
- easy-to-use technology
- socialization, community, and friendships
