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PA Virtual: Middle School

5th Grade - 8th Grade

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Helping Your Child Take the Lead

In the Middle School, student success is all about empowering learners to take the lead in their education, career, and their life!

 Your child’s team — comprised of a principal, assistant principals, certified teachers, nurses, school counselors, family support coordinators, and more — works collaboratively to create a plan that allows them to grow as independent learners and to take advantage of the expertise of specialized teachers. 
Blond female seventh grader smiles at camera while working on her computer at her desk at home

Academic Highlights

If your student is looking for a challenge, then we have what you need! Our programs are designed to offer more rigorous coursework for advanced learners, while challenging yet supporting students who need extra assistance.

Middle school students learn how to set goals, assess their own progress, and reflect on successes and challenges. To keep students engaged and provide opportunities to develop leadership skills, our certified teachers use the rigorous Stride K12 curriculum to make learning interactive for students.
Photo of sample 5th grade curriculum, incluing books, instruments, photos, scientific instruments, and more

Over the span of grades 5 through 8, Middle School students explore the following topics that are integrated across subjects:
  • Business, Computer, and Information Technology — accounting, career management, communication, computer and information technologies, entrepreneurship, finance and economics, global business, management, marketing
  • English Language Arts — grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, literary analysis, composition, spelling, writing, punctuation, research skills, literary genres, communication skills, sentence structure, portfolio building, informational and persuasive techniques
  • Family & Consumer Science —balancing family/work/community responsibility, child development, financial and resource management, food science and nutrition 
  • Math — expanded multiplication/division, fractions, proportions, decimals, ratios, data analysis, multi-step word problems, geometry, 3D figures, graphing equations, statistics, linear models and equations, functions, etc.
  • Science — geology, oceanography, meteorology, astronomy, atom structure, taxonomy, animal physiology, plate tectonics, solar system, gravitational pull, cell biology, periodic table of elements, genetics, chemical reactions, etc.

 
  • History — Civil War, civics, economics, Native American civilizations, European exploration, American Revolution, Industrial Revolution, Renaissance, prehistoric civilization, classical civilizations, world religions, scientific revolution, Russian and Asian civilizations, etc.
  • Physical Education/Health — monitoring heart rate, choice of physical activity, aerobic and anaerobic exercise, strength training, fitness testing, heredity, personal hygiene/health, nutrition, safety awareness, harmful substances, emotional well-being, etc.
  • Art — realistic and abstract art creations, impressionism, cubism, weaving, art historians, architectural models, sketches, medieval and Renaissance art, principles of design, applied arts, prints and paintings, etc.
  • Music — understanding music concepts, music theory, authentic recordings, creative movement, singing & dancing, real & virtual instruments (recorder, tambourine, etc.), focused listening skills, etc.

View Curriculum By Grade

Honors Program and Advanced Work

For students seeking advanced work, the Middle School's honors program is designed to encourage and support outstanding students who display exceptional academic ability and desire rigorous learning opportunities. Honors program courses delve more deeply into the content, move at a rapid pace, and have elevated expectations for both quality and quantity of student work. 
young student of color works at table, writing on a notebook with her pencil, while a female adult sits beside her and points to a page in the textbook

  • Students in the program take advanced courses in all of the following subjects: English language arts, math, science, and history.
  • Those participating in the program may be required to complete additional reading, research, writing, and individual/collaborative projects. Teachers use the Imagine Learning (formerly Edgenuity) curriculum for all seventh and eighth grade honors courses.
  • Want to earn high school credit? Seventh and eighth graders who qualify may be eligible to receive graduation credits for the honors English and math courses.

Student Support

It's important for leaders to know when to draw on the expertise of other people — and middle schoolers at PA Virtual learn how to collaborate with others for even better outcomes!

  • The PA Virtual Pillars Program offers academic help to those who need extra practice or just want to sharpen their skills.
  • Our Family & Support Services Department offers a plethora of resources for students and families.
  • Four dedicated Middle School counselors offer mental health programs, and work with students through small group meetings, classroom visits, and individualized assistance.
  • Guidance counselors lead career exploration activities to help students with future goals.
A smiling blond female PA Virtual teacher is wearing an orange lanyard and has sunglasses on her head, and is listening to a young girl and her grandfather speak. We only see the back of the heads of the girl and grandfather. All three are outside.

Instructional Formats

At our grades 5-8 online school, we offer two instructional formats: synchronous and asynchronous. Families can choose a more structured schedule with live, teacher-led classes or a more flexible schedule with independent learning. The chart on this page outlines which courses are available in each format.

  • Synchronous—Students log in to their virtual classroom with other students and attend live classes with PA-certified teachers. Teachers provide direct instruction, guide student work, and assess student progress. Classes occur Monday through Thursday; students work asynchronously on Fridays. View sample synchronous schedules >

  • Asynchronous—Students work independently with their learning coaches each day. PA Virtual teachers plan the students' coursework, supervise their progress, and are available to support student needs daily.   
Program-Charts_Middle

During Orientation, you’ll further explore each of these formats to choose the option that’s best for you and your student.

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Middle School Life

 


Want to see what a virtual class looks like? Hear from middle school parents, or teachers? Check out our Video Library!
 
Visit Video Library 

Opportunities for Middle School Students

Engaging learning for every student

Clubs and Activities

Our Middle School students have an array of opportunities to meet other students and explore new skills and topics that excite them. Clubs meet virtually on a regular basis. Examples include National Junior Honor Society, Student Council, Interact Club, Chess Club, Virtual Voices, Photography Club, and more. Students are also able and encouraged to participate in their local school district’s extracurricular activities.

Field Trips

Each month, we offer in-person* outings across the state where students can meet other PA Virtual families and make new friends. Throughout the year, we offer virtual outings as well. Activities can include sporting events, observatories, environmental centers, history tours, winter sports, charity events, state parks, and much more. Students in all grade levels are encouraged to attend.
*In compliance with PA COVID-19 restrictions

Service Learning

PA Virtual helps families stay connected and serve their local community through our established partnerships with local organizations including food banks, animal rescue centers, homeless shelters, and donation centers. Our students across the state participate in school-wide service learning, including opportunities with the Pennies for Patients drive, Food Drives, Toys for Tots, the Ugly Quilt Project, and more.

Individualized Instruction

PA Virtual students use Study Island, Exact Path, and other tools that help our teachers determine a student’s individual needs. These programs provide lessons and activities to support academic growth and are personalized for your child’s own learning path.

Meet Our Leadership

Richard V.

Principal, Grades 5-8

Louis R.

Assistant Principal

Charles T.

Assistant Principal

Andrea W.

Assistant Principal

Top 25%

Of the 174 charter schools that have SPP scores listed for the Final Academic Score, PA Virtual ranks within the top 25% of all charter schools in PA.

74%

of Middle School teachers have a Master's Degree.

96%

of Middle School parents would recommend PA Virtual to other families.

    PA Virtual was the best choice for my daughter. She is so much happier and her confidence has improved greatly. 

    The teachers go out of their way to make sure the students are fully understanding every lesson being taught. I couldn't be happier with our decision to switch to PA Virtual!”
    Testimonial

    Melissa Day
    PA Virtual Parent since 2016

    User testimonial on how PAVC allowed them to change their lives. Should be extremely valuable and persuasive.

    A continuation of the User testimonial on how PAVC allowed them to change their lives. Should be extremely valuable and persuasive.”
    Testimonial

    Jane Doe
    CEO of Awesome

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