A Minnesota school wants parents to know enrolling in public or private schools aren’t the only two options available to students.

On Saturday afternoon, Austin parent Amy Cobb — who’s children have been enrolled in online school with MTS Minnesota Connections Academy since kindergarten — met with other parents Saturday at McDonald’s in Austin for a free parent-to-parent information session.

“I’m a parent who has been using Connections Academy for seven years,” Cobb said. “So I’m just meeting with other parents who are considering it. And then I can kind of give them a perspective from a parent.”

Several parents showed up to hear about the program. Mother Charity Lifka just wanted to explore all the options for her son, who is currently enrolled in Austin High School.

“We’re just looking to see what options are out there, is kind of the main thing,” she said.

Cobb talked about the online academy’s individualized learning approach, curriculum, technology-enhanced learning environment, the enrollment process and more. The online academy aims to meet the needs of students and families looking for an alternative to a traditional school setting.

Cobb’s children are now in sixth and fourth grades, and Cobb has really liked the online academy. Cobb said the program is through an umbrella of a charter school in St. Paul.

“I didn’t want to come up with my own curriculum,” she said. “I needed accountability. So every day we have to log on to record our hours.”

“I’m more of a coach making sure they do the work, but I don’t have to feel like I need to know every single thing,” Cobb added.

The program also works to help socialize the students with other students, and organizes different events and field trips for the students to get together. The only drawback Cobb named was the lack of a gym class, though she said her children are in sports to make up for that. Overall, it’s been a good fit for her and her family.

“My favorite part is having all the support,” she said. “I can do it from home and do it with a flexible schedule without having to take care of all the legal things myself.”