Start Now Graduate Ready!
Orion learners start on the first day of any month!  Three months later, learners take final examinations, and begin their next set of courses.  What this means, is that learners can easily complete six courses in six months!  If you multiply six months times four grade levels (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th), you get 24 Months!  That's right an Orion Learner who continues his or her studies without breaks, can actually finish high school in 24 months - that's two years!  How long does it take in a traditional setting?  Well you know the answer to that!

Congratulations Orion Graduates for August and September 2009:

Regina Orona - Odessa Texas - Plans to attend Odessa College

Brittany Huckabee - Midland, Texas - Plans to attend Midland College

Nora Albaiz - Kingdom of Bahrain - Plans to attend the University of Toronto

Sunnee Marie Donnen - Durango, Colorago

Ashley Martin - Midland, Texas

Fernando Arredondo - San Diego, Texas

Nathalie  Barreto - Despin, Florida

Rogelio Angel Gonzalez - San Diego, Texas

Angelica Renee Velez - Lake Jackson, Texas

Blanca Ornelas - Van Horn, Texas

Huriel Norez- Midland, Texas

Veronica Gonzales - Van Horn, Texas

Alina Becerra - Van Horn, Texas

Eduardo Rico - Midland, Texas

Montiel Urias - Midland, Texas

Kenneth Wilcotts - Midland, Texas

Heber Lujan Franco - Van Horn, Texas

Ivan Fierro - Midland, Texas

Sabrina Rosas - Corpus Christi, Texas

Orion Graduates Its First International Learner

Nora Albaiz came to Orion High School in September of last year.  She had school experience in her home country.  As a matter of fact, Nora came to Orion lacking only the courses necessary to finish the rest of her junior year and her senior year. 

One year later, Nora has become Orion's first International Learner to graduate. 

A little about Nora's country:

Bahrain is one of the most densely populated countries in the world; about 89% of the population lives in the two principal cities of Manama and Al Muharraq. Approximately 66% of the indigenous population is originally from the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Bahrain currently has a sizeable foreign labor force (about 49% of the total population). The government's policies on naturalization remain controversial. In June 2002, the King issued a decree allowing citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to take up dual Bahraini nationality. Opposition political groups charge that the government is granting citizenship to foreign nationals who have served in the Bahraini armed forces and security services to alter the demographic balance of the country, which is primarily Shi'a. According to passport officials, about 40,000 individuals have been naturalized over the past 50 years (about 10% of the total population).

The indigenous population is 98% Muslim. Although some two-thirds of the indigenous population is Shi'a Muslim, the ruling family and the majority of government, military, and corporate leaders are Sunni Muslims. The small indigenous Christian and Jewish communities make up the remaining 2% of the population. Roughly half of foreign resident community are non-Muslim, and include Christians, Hindus, Baha'is, Buddhists and Sikhs.

Bahrain has invested its oil revenues in developing an advanced educational system. The first public schools for girls and boys were opened in the 1920s. The government continues to pay for all schooling costs. Although school attendance is not compulsory, primary and secondary attendance rates are high, and literacy rates are currently among the highest in the region. Higher education is available for secondary school graduates at the Bahrain University, Arabian Gulf University and specialized institutes including the College of Health Sciences--operating under the direction of the Ministry of Health--which trains physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and paramedics. The government has identified providing educational services to the Gulf Cooperation Council as a potential economic growth area, and is actively working to establish Bahrain as a regional center for higher education.

Source:  United States Department of State

We wish Nora success at the University of Toronto, where she will be working on a Psychology major!

Visit these informational sites:

Commission on International and Trans-regional Accreditation (CITA)

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

Orion is Looking for Qualified Teachers: Orion is always looking for certified teachers.  To mentor our learners, teachers must be certified teachers in their state OR must have at least a bachelors degree in the field of study.  We are also looking for professionals to mentor our learners in our newest STEM courses - we need mechanical or structural engineers. To apply, click here.

Orion Online Learning Announces the Opening of Orion Teachers Consulting Group:

Orion announced the opening of the consulting branch of our company, called, "Orion Teachers".  We are dedicated to working with and for teachers to help them support students for the highest achievement possible.

Ms. Shannon Baker (formerly the Managing Director of Curriculum for the Texas Education Agency), serves as the Principal Consultant.  Orion Teachers works with partners in the implementation of standards for English Language Learners.

Ms. Bakers states, "Orion Teachers is committed to ensuring that our public school partners have the online support that only Orion Online Learning can provide.  Ongoing support (online) is crucial with teachers' busy lives."

To learn more about Orion Teachers and their services, visit www.OrionTeachers.com