ELKHART —Kansas Connections Academy, a tuition-free, online public school serving students in grades K-12, celebrated the school’s 212 graduating high school seniors in a ceremony on Friday, May 16. Students, family, friends and faculty gathered both in person and online to honor the Class of 2025 at Johnson County Community College for the commencement.
Area students Bretly Wayne Steiner from Hoisington and Christopher Lee Slattery from Larned were among this year’s graduating seniors.
Kansas Connections Academy’s Class of 2025 consists of graduates from cities across the state. Among the graduating class, 44% plan to attend two- or four-year colleges or universities, including Brigham Young University, Kansas State University, Marquette University, New York University Tisch School of the Arts and the University of Kansas. Additionally, 23% plan to enter the workforce, 22% plan to receive vocational training and 5% plan to serve in the military or take a gap year. The graduates were collectively awarded more than $2.3 million in scholarship funds.
“Choosing Kansas Connections Academy was the best decision we could have made for my education,” said Abrar Khan, a graduating senior from Overland Park. “Through Kansas Connections Academy, I found incredible mentors, built a strong sense of community with my peers, and had the flexibility to pursue my passions – from earning my third-degree black belt and teaching Taekwondo, to leading the NewZine and the Music Production and E-Sports clubs. I’m excited to continue this journey in college, where I’ll be working toward my dream of becoming a physician. I’m incredibly grateful for the foundation Kansas Connections Academy has given me.”
After admittance to 17 major colleges and receiving more than $1.7 million in scholarship offers, Abrar will be attending the 6-year combined B.A./M.D. program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in the fall.
“We are so grateful for the contributions these bright young students have made in our community,” said Laura Hochman, principal at Kansas Connections Academy. “This year’s graduating class has demonstrated a passion for learning and we’re proud of the confident, capable individuals they’ve become. While we will miss them here at school, they will always be a part of Kansas Connections Academy, and we can’t wait to see what the next chapter holds.”
Founded in 2010, Kansas Connections Academy currently serves more than 1,100 students in grades K-12 across the state, offering individualized student support and a curriculum that emphasizes academic excellence and helps to build fundamental life skills. Those who enroll in the school are encouraged to take advantage of the advanced courses, extracurricular activities and flexible scheduling to create a tailored learning plan that works best for them.
Kansas Connections Academy has highly skilled educators who bring their skills and personality to the virtual environment, facilitating meaningful connections with their students and families. This year, middle and high school students had access to an expanded College and Career Readiness Program where students could participate in career exploration and industry networking opportunities to build confidence, make connections and find direction to prepare for their future.
Enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year is open for students in grades K-12. Families interested in Kansas Connections Academy are encouraged to attend an online information session to learn more, ask questions, and discover if virtual school is the right fit for their student. For more information on Kansas Connections Academy, visit www.KansasConnectionsAcademy.com or call 833-591-0251.
Kansas Connections Academy is operated in partnership with the Elkhart Unified School District 218.
