PORTLAND, Maine – Maine Connections Academy, the state’s first tuition-free, online public charter school, honored its Class of 2026 with an in-person graduation ceremony June 5 at the Merrill Auditorium in Portland.
Six of the honored Maine Connections Academy graduates represent Aroostook County. They are Mia Arcott and Gavin Halley of Presque Isle, Brandon Brown of Mapleton, Kadence McDougall of Woodland, Hailey Triplett of Limestone and Cody Wright of Madawaska.
The ceremony marked the school’s 11th graduating class since its founding. This year’s cohort includes 90 graduates who represent the geographical diversity of the state, with students hailing from 15 of Maine’s 16 counties.
The 2026 commencement address was delivered by alumnae Kate Re, a Class of 2022 graduate and professional Super Late Model car racer. Re, who began her racing career at age 8, serves as an inspiring example of how the school’s flexible learning model allows students to pursue ambitious personal goals alongside their academics.
The graduates of the Class of 2026 are prepared for diverse post-secondary transitions.
Statistics for the class include 33% attending two- or four-year colleges, 27% entering the workforce, 9% pursuing vocational training, 18% taking a gap year, and 2% joining the military.
Notable college acceptances for this year’s class include the U.S. Naval Academy, Maine College of Art & Design and various University of Maine campuses.
