GRAND RAPIDS, MI - The second largest leader in online education, Connections Education, plans to open a charter high school this fall - Nexus Academy of Grand Rapids.

The company, based in Baltimore, is opening physical versions of its virtual high schools, Nexus Academy schools, in four other cities besides Grand Rapids: Lansing, Toledo, Cleveland and Columbus. The tuition-free open enrollment will have a college prep focus.

The Grand Rapids school will be located at 801 Broadway Ave. NW, in the American Seating Park complex. Officials expect to serve 250 to 300 students in grades nine through 12 on the second floor of the office building.

"Grand Rapids has been on the cutting edge of new school models and school choice both in the traditional public school setting and charters," said Mickey Revenaugh, executive vice president of Connections Education, about why Grand Rapids was chosen as a site.

"Certified teachers will interact with students both online and on-site. Every student has a specialized learning plan with the blended learning, which accommodates itself well to wherever a student might be in their performance."

Revenaugh said two math and two science teachers will be on-site and they are close to naming a principal. She said the school will offer visual and performing arts courses, bringing in instructors and have a fitness center on site.

The new blended learning high school plans to offer students access to core academic courses in math, science, social studies and English as well as Advanced Placement courses. Foreign language offerings will include Spanish, French, Chinese, Japanese, German, Latin and Sign Language.

Revenaugh said students will be issued laptops but Connections is exploring the best tablet solution to access its curriculum. She said Central Michigan University officials are scheduled to vote on authorizing the charter next week.

A five-member school board will be named after that expected approval.

This is the third charter school to announce plans to open this fall. Pastor and gospel singer Marvin Sapp is opening a performing arts school, the Grand Rapids Ellington Academy of Arts and Technology (GREAAT), at 600 Burton St.SE. The school will initially serve 225 students in sixth, seventh and eighth-grades but expects to add a grade each year through 12th grade.

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Online giant Connections Education opening charter high school in American Seating Park complex in Grand Rapids