The Ultimate Guide to Attending a Cyber Charter School In PA

Introduction

Each year, the demand for Pennsylvania public cyber charter schools increases. As this model of education grows, more and more parents consider if it would work for their child. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, PA Virtual Charter School (PA Virtual) is one of the top-performing cyber charter schools in the state. PA Virtual has served thousands of students since being founded in 2001. As experts in this field, PA Virtual is a trusted resource for families exploring this choice.

Parents enroll their children in this model for a number of reasons. They may be interested in actively participating in their child’s learning. Other parents are looking for a more personalized education; they want a school that offers their child individualized support or more of a challenge. Other parents enroll to provide their child a safe, distraction-free learning environment.

Every child deserves an education that suits their needs and learning style. PA Virtual has prepared this guide to help families research, learn, and make a choice that is right for them. If you're wondering how to enroll in a PA cyber school, contact us or keep reading The Ultimate Guide to Attending a Cyber Charter School in PA.

School Choice

You choose the best for your child every day. PA Virtual understands that you also want to make the best decision for your child’s school.

Every child is unique. And, every child deserves the school that empowers their success.

When making your decision, consider these research based factors that support a child’s success in an online school:

Strong parental involvement and support
Regular and meaningful engagement with instructors and classmates
Reliable access to technology
Learning self-regulation and time management skills
Developing technological proficiency

Is PA Virtual Charter School the right choice for your child and family?

Unlimited Opportunities

At PA Virtual, we know that providing healthy and supportive socialization opportunities is essential for your child’s development. That’s why we offer a variety of options for students to engage with their friends outside of the classroom.

Our Family Support Coordinators organize fun and educational field trips across all regions of the state every month. That’s over 100 events each school year! Activities include:

Museum field trips and tours
Picnics at state and state parks
Bowling and ice skating
Science and Maker Space Exploration
Community Service
And so much more!

And every activity includes educational opportunities so your child can have fun while they learn!

Clubs Galore

PA Virtual hosts over 40 clubs encouraging students to meet virtually and share common interest, including:

National Honor Society
Student Council
Chess Club
Fossil & Crystal Club
Good News Club
Wholesome Gamer
Writer's Nook

Don’t see one that interests your child? We encourage your child’s leadership skills by helping them start a club that will help them build their skills, excite their creativity, and build connections that span the state.

What about Extracurricular Activities?

The Pennsylvania Charter School Law “requires a charter school student’s school district of residence to allow the student to participate in the school district’s extracurricular activities if the student is able to fulfill the requirements of participation and the charter school does not provide the same extracurricular activity.”

Your child can choose to participate in their local school district’s extracurricular programs including sports teams and social clubs.

Pennsylvania Cyber Charter Schools & State Testing

State Testing Mandate:

As a public school, PA Virtual is required to meet all state mandates including requiring all students to participate in tests & assessments including PSSAs, Keystones, and PASAs. While this may present a burden to families, it is essential to recognize that PA Virtual is held accountable to the performance of our students. Each year, we make programmatic decisions to ensure every student is reaching their full academic potential.

Fortunately, because of the strong partnership with our parents throughout the school year, our students consistently perform their best on these required assessments. In addition, many of our students and families look forward to the opportunity to see each other each year at their local assessment site.

It’s remarkable how much your child will learn and grow in a single year.

Will My Child be Ready?

At PA Virtual, every child is surrounded by a team of educational experts who work to ensure your child learns and thrives. As a parent, you are an integral part of the team. In addition, PA Virtual provides opportunities throughout the year to help you understand your child’s growth and progress. Diagnostic supports like iXL and Exact Path support our teachers and guidance counselors in working with you to determine the best methods of ensuring your child’s academic success.

Too Much Screen Time?

Once a student enrolls at our school, we provide them with all the necessary technology to support the learning process, including a laptop and printer/scanner. Since students utilize technology frequently in this model, there are plenty of breaks scheduled throughout the school day. These breaks give students time away from their computer screens and an opportunity to get outside to get some fresh air, especially when the weather is nice.

Additionally, it’s important to note that our teachers do assign some coursework that is hands-on, including science experiments and workbook assignments, which offer our students a well-rounded experience. At PA Virtual, Fridays are designated as asynchronous which means that students are expected to complete assignments independently on that day. Families and students can attend scheduled outings in their area as their academic schedule permits.

PA Cyber School Teachers & State Certification

PA Virtual Teaching Staff are 100% highly qualified and state certified. They are eager to partner with you to help your child succeed academically and thrive socially.

Our teachers are dedicated to student success. Whether it’s instructing students directly in live classes or providing students with guided lessons, assignments, and individualized feedback, our teachers work with each student to ensure lessons are mastered and concepts can be applied outside of the classroom.

Students Receive Full Support Services at PA Virtual Schools

We offer both Academic Support and Family Support to our families. Our Academic Support includes:

Academic Support Teachers
School Counselors
Student Assistance Program
New Student Onboarding and Orientation
English Language Learners Program
504 Plan Program
Special Education Program
Parent Ambassador and Peer Mentorship Program
And More

Your role as a parent and Learning Coach is both challenging and rewarding! Let PA Virtual help you succeed.

Read more about the support services we provide in the sections below.

I Want To Be More Involved In My Child’s Education

Like many parents, you want to be more involved in your child's education. PA Virtual can help!

Our parent Learning Coaches are an essential element of PA Virtual’s model and your child’s success. As a Learning Coach, parents actively participate in their child’s education by partnering with teachers and support staff to ensure daily progress and academic achievement. Every enrolled student must have a primary adult responsible to support them.

The Learning Coach helps guide and structure the home learning environment. This means parents ensure students:

Log in to school every day
Attend live classes as required
Are actively engaged in learning
Maintain contact with their teachers and student support services
Complete all academic assignments on time
Reach out to their teachers for support

As your child grows, your involvement as a Learning Coach will adapt based on your child’s unique needs. At all stages of development, a parent’s active involvement throughout their child’s education has the greatest impact on a child’s success. For parents who are committed to their child’s education, the Learning Coach role is the greatest reward.

My Child Needs More Individualized Attention

Does your child need individual support to achieve their academic goals? PA Virtual is dedicated to empowering every child to achieve their full potential. Through a collaborative approach, PA Virtual works closely with parents to tailor education to each child's unique needs.

In addition, our school principals ensure that teachers actively partner with parents to deliver personalized instruction, creating an educational experience that helps every student thrive.

My Child Will Benefit from a Structured School Schedule

If you are looking for a structured schedule that meets at certain times each day, then synchronous classes may suit your needs. While a Learning Coach is still essential for synchronous classes, the courses offer the benefit of live, real-time teacher interaction and instruction.

In synchronous classes, teachers and students interact verbally and use an interactive whiteboard, chat feature, emoticons, microphones, instant messaging, webcams, and other online tools. Students who follow a primarily synchronous learning model will also have some asynchronous classes and lessons to complete with the help and guidance of their Learning Coach.

My Child Needs A Flexible Schedule Throughout The Day

If you are looking for a more adaptable schedule, then an asynchronous learning model may better suit your child’s unique needs. If the asynchronous model is right for your child, they will engage in a more customizable schedule in a self-directed environment. The Learning Coach plays a pivotal role in ensuring their child completes their academic work in collaboration with a PA Virtual certified teacher.

In synchronous classes, teachers and students interact verbally and use an interactive whiteboard, chatbox, emoticons, microphones, instant messaging, webcams, and other online tools. Students who follow a primarily synchronous plan will still have some asynchronous classes and lessons to complete, with the help and guidance of their Learning Coach.

I Want Socialization And Leadership Opportunities For My Child

PA Virtual offers an array of opportunities and experiences available through Student Clubs and Activities. Joining or starting a club or activity is a fun and easy way for students to get involved in our online community as well as explore new and favorite interests.

Whether a student’s passion is for service or robots, anime or music, PA Virtual encourages them to join or start a club or activity that is of interest to them. Our clubs and activities are student-run and provide a range of leadership opportunities for the student participants.

I Want A School With A Strong Support System For Our Family

PA Virtual believes the responsibility of educating your child is a team approach. In addition to your partnership as the Learning Coach, PA Virtual provides the tools and services students need to succeed - inside the classroom and outside in the greater community.

Family Support Coordinators (FSC) are assigned to each family to provide consistent one-on-one support throughout the school year. FSCs are responsible for monitoring daily student attendance, providing support with technology tools, coordinating field trips and other socialization opportunities and helping families navigate through all non-academic aspects of the school. Think of FSCs as your personal guides to all things PA Virtual.

Parental Involvement and Engagement is at the core of PA Virtual, and we have a staff dedicated to this goal. Our school is designed to support parents as Learning Coaches for their children. We help parents achieve their academic and social goals for their children by offering opportunities for parent education and engagement. We enhance our parents' knowledge and education by providing resources, weekly online sessions, parent certificate programs, and an optional mentor program.

School Health Services are available to all enrolled students to support their health, wellness, academic growth, and achievement.

School Counselors provide students with academic planning, college and career information, financial aid and scholarship information, as well as character building, strategies for classroom success, study skills, and more.

New Student Onboarding and Orientation will enable all new families and students to successfully transition into the virtual, online learning model. PA Virtual’s comprehensive program is a two-week exercise intended to help parents and students learn how to get the most out of their online learning experience.

Qualified ESL/Bilingual Education Teachers provide PA Virtual students who are English Learners with English language instruction.

The Student Assistance Program (SAP) is one of the available supports PA Virtual provides to students. The primary goal of SAP is to link students with the help they need in order to overcome barriers so they can remain in school, succeed academically, and work towards graduation and post-secondary success.

We hope this information is helpful as you consider what is best for your child. For more information on PA Virtual, please check out our website and feel free to request more information.

One of the greatest assets PA Virtual has is the diverse background and experience of our teaching staff! We have over 150 state-certified teachers in locations all across the state, and many have both cyber and brick-and-mortar teaching experience. Nine of our teachers were nominated for 2020 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year!

PA Virtual teachers have an average of eight (8) years of service to our school. Some of our teachers are new to the PA Virtual family, and some of them have been with us since we opened our virtual doors in 2001. But no matter how long they’ve been here, all of our teachers share a passion for teaching at PA Virtual!

PA Virtual Charter School Teacher Profiles

This is a sample of just a few of the many wonderful teachers at our school. Explore their bios
below. Check out the “Meet Our Team” page to view all teacher photos and fun facts.

Name: Jacqueline Sieber

Grades taught: K-5

Years with PA Virtual: 18

Hometown: Irwin, PA

Fun Fact: Jackie named her children (Jack and Reilly) after her father, Jack Reilly.

On what makes cyber teaching different: “I really enjoy the close connection I have with my students and their learning coaches. In a traditional school setting I might see a student’s parents once or twice a semester; here I see them 4 days a week! I love that we work together to help their child learn.”

Name: Robin Elder

Grades taught: 7-12 Mathematics (currently a Middle School Teacher)

Years with PA Virtual: 13

Hometown: Blairsville, PA

Fun Fact: I lived for 14 years in Europe, in 3 different countries: England, Turkey, and Germany.

On what makes cyber teaching different: “To be resourceful when they encounter a problem or stumbling block, and to look back over their final work to verify they put their best foot forward.”

Name: Zachary Mehal

Grades taught: High School (9-12) Chemistry

Years with PA Virtual: 5

Hometown: Russellton, PA

Fun Fact: I added 3 extra hours to the year 2018! I spent the New Year’s holiday in California so with the time change, I technically had 3 extra hours that year. It was beautiful to watch the last sunset of 2018 over the pacific ocean in Malibu.

On what makes cyber teaching different: “Physical buildings do not have to define where learning takes place! With the technology and access to the internet in today’s world, the possibilities for students from anywhere in the state to collaborate with each other and explore ideas are endless.”

PA Virtual’s state-certified teachers lead students through their studies using the K12, Inc. curriculum for students in grades k-8 and the Edgenuity curriculum for students in grades 9-12. Just like at your local school, our experienced teachers supplement the curriculum using their creativity to individualize lesson plans and add variety throughout the year.

The K12, Inc. curriculum consists of online lessons, books and workbooks, Learning Coach Guides, and supplemental materials. The Edgenuity curriculum consists of rigorous, interactive online content that fosters advanced critical thinking and analytical skills for students in the upper grades.

Elementary School Sample

Students in grades K-4 take courses in Math, English/Language Arts (ELA), Science, History, Art, Music & Physical Education. You can review and download course descriptions by grade level here.

Here’s an example of what first grade students receive for their ELA curriculum.

You may be thinking, "What are the top PA cyber elementary schools near me?" You've come to just the right spot. Want to see an online lesson in action? Click here!

Middle School Sample

Students in grades 5-8 take courses in English/Language Arts (ELA), Math, Science, American & World History, American & World History Art, Music, Health & Physical Education. You can review and download course descriptions by grade level here.

Here’s an example of what fifth grade students receive for their ELA curriculum.

Want to see an online lesson in action? Click here!

High School Sample

Students in grades 9-12 take a variety of courses in core subjects as well as electives. You can review and download our high school course catalog here.

Here's an example of the Edgenuity platform.

Contact us when you're wondering, "Are there PA cyber high schools near me?" Want to see an online lesson in action? Click here!

Starting a new school can be overwhelming, especially when that new school is unlike anything you’ve ever done before. Parents and students have many questions, like what their responsibilities will be, what a typical school day looks like, and how many hours a day they are expected to complete schoolwork.

At PA Virtual, families and administrators work together to answer those questions by deciding what type of instruction best fits their student’s needs: synchronous or asynchronous.

Synchronous courses are led by PA-certified teachers; students attend live classes with their peers across the Commonwealth.

Asynchronous courses provide students the opportunity to move through their courses in a more self-directed manner, with the supervision of PA-certified teachers. Teachers plan the student's coursework and are available to support students daily.

Both models require dedication and assistance from the Learning Coach, although the level of involvement can vary somewhat by grade level.

Elementary School Virtual Charter School Instruction Process

Elementary school establishes the educational foundation for young learners. At this stage of their educational journey, students begin to think critically, problem-solve, and manage their learning time; all skills that will help foster future academic success.

Families with elementary-level students should expect the Learning Coach to be very hands-on. Learning Coaches of elementary students will sit alongside their child during live, teacher-led lessons. After live lessons are complete, the role of the Learning Coach is to guide the child through their assignments and online lessons, enhancing concepts as needed.

Students are expected to receive 5 hours of direct instruction per day. Direct instruction is comprised of instructor-led classes and independent work guided by the Learning Coach. Students receive live instruction from teachers in synchronous classes. Teachers also direct students to work with their Learning Coach to complete lessons in the online school. Additionally, the Learning Coach will guide their students through the asynchronous courses offered at the elementary level (Spelling, Vocabulary, Art, Music, and Physical Education; and at some grade levels, Phonics, History, and Science).

Middle School Virtual Charter School Instruction Process

Middle school continues to build on the educational foundation of students. At this stage of their educational journey, students continue to hone their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Middle school students engage and participate in classes under the supervision of their teachers, using discussion boards, podcasts, videos, webcams, wikis, and other forms of communication. At this stage the students become more independent and begin to actively manage their learning time - they are encouraged to begin taking ownership of their education. Teachers provide students with a syllabus outlining assignments and due dates to help them stay on track.

Parents should expect their middle school student to receive 5-5 ½ hours of direct instruction per day, regardless of whether they are in synchronous or asynchronous classes. Direct instruction is comprised of instructor-led classes and independent work guided by the Learning Coach. Hours will vary based on a student’s individual needs and program requirements, and additional hours may be needed for students who attend academic support or tutoring classes. In general, however, synchronous students will attend classes up to 4.5 hours a day, with the remaining hours used to complete independent work. Learning Coaches with students in synchronous classes should be available to keep an eye on students while they are in class, and they will need to dedicate additional hours each day for asynchronous work. Learning Coaches with asynchronous students should be available to monitor students while they complete their schoolwork and will need to dedicate approximately 5-5 ½ hours each day.

High School Virtual Charter School Instruction Process

PA Virtual high school students prepare for their future journey to work and post-secondary education. Students learn techniques to manage their time, solve problems, take personal responsibility, properly use information and communication technology, and gain global awareness.

Each academic year, high school students are required to take a minimum of 5.25 credits. Students receive a minimum of 5 ½ hours of direct instruction per day, for a minimum of 990 hours by the end of the school year. Direct instruction is comprised of instructor-led classes and independent work. On average, synchronous students spend 3-5 hours per day attending their live classes and dedicate 1- 3 hours a day to independent work. Asynchronous students dedicate a minimum of 5 ½ hours each day to independent work in lieu of attending live classes.

To graduate and earn their diploma, high school students must:

Pass Keystone exams in Algebra, Literature, and Biology
Earn a minimum of 21 credits (review the specific credit criteria in our High School Course Catalog)
Complete a Capstone Graduation Project during their senior year. Options for the project include but are not limited to: job shadowing, volunteering, or writing a research paper.

The School Counseling Department at PA Virtual works closely with students in selecting courses, planning their academic futures, and advising them in career and college options. Throughout the school year, high school students are invited to participate in monthly presentations on different topics such as college applications, financial aid, and scholarships, as well as workforce, military, and vocational/technical opportunities.

School Counselors also hold senior reviews with every student to discuss their post-secondary plans and help them work towards their goals. For example, they can help students who are college-bound complete applications. For students interested in immediately entering the workforce, counselors can help create resumes, find job fairs, and provide helpful interview tips. Military-bound students get support in connecting with their branch of choice or local recruitment offices, and students interested in vo-tech programs get help finding a school that will meet their interests and needs.

Starting a new model of education with PA Virtual Charter School can be challenging for both parents and students. While the instruction process for each family differs depending on the grade and mode of instruction, school administrators work hand-in-hand with families to ensure each student has the potential to succeed, opportunities to overcome challenges, and access to a curriculum that doesn’t overwhelm them. Parents will find their students are most successful in a cyber charter school when they are partners in the educational journey and actively work with our staff to support them every step of the way.

Pennsylvania is home to 14 Public, cyber charter schools. These public schools have a few similarities and many differences. According to the PA Department of Education (PDE), a cyber charter school is an independent public school and a non-profit organization that uses technology to deliver a significant portion of curriculum and instruction. Pennsylvania’s public, cyber charter schools are established and operate under a legal charter authorized directly under the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The differences between schools are vast, and this section focuses on providing data to help families learn some of the key differences.

Act 82 Building-Level Performance Profile

Per PDE, The Act 82 Building Level Score (formerly the PA School Performance Profile) is an integral part of the Educator Effectiveness System. The profile provides a school-level academic score for all public schools, including charter and cyber charter schools, and career and technical centers. The Act 82 Building Level Score is one of the state’s measures of accountability for public schools in the commonwealth. Many data elements come together to create the academic score, including:

Indicators of Academic Achievement:

PSSA/PASA/Keystone performance, industry standards-based competency assessments, grade three reading proficiency, and SAT/ACT college-ready benchmarks.

Indicators of Closing the Achievement Gap:

All student scores are used to define how well a school is making progress toward proficiency of students. Historically Underperforming Students scores are used to define how well a school is making progress towards proficiency of those students who have historically not demonstrated proficiency.

Indicators of Academic Growth/PVAAS:

Measures the school’s impact on the academic achievement level of groups of students from year to year.

Other Academic Indicators – Assesses factors that contribute to student achievement, such as graduation rate, promotion rate, and attendance rate.

The data provided focuses on Pennsylvania’s public, cyber charter schools’ scores based on the PDE 2019 Act 82 Building-Level Profile Results.
level-score
PDE explains that these scores are designed to help inform the public of school performance and allow them to compare schools, while also providing a score for educators to use as part of their evaluation system and a methodology to analyze their strengths and needs.

We are proud to report that PA Virtual has one of the highest Act 82 Building Level Scores in 2019.

PVAAS

Pennsylvania Value Added Assessment System (PVAAS) is a statistical analysis of PA state assessment data, helping educators ensure they are meeting the academic needs of groups of students. Schools and teachers are using PVAAS growth data (in conjunction with achievement data) to make sure students are on the path to proficiency and beyond.

PDE explains that growth data measures a student group’s growth across time, and compares the performance of a student group to their own prior performance. Review the subject-specific data below for cyber charter schools Meeting Annual Growth Expectations.

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PA Virtual is pleased to report the highest Annual Growth Expectations among Pennsylvania’s public, cyber charter schools in Science/Biology. PA Virtual had the 3rd highest Annual Growth Expectations among Pennsylvania’s public, cyber charter schools in both English Language Arts/Literature and Mathematics/Algebra I.

Total Overall Enrollment for PA Virtual Charter School

There are so many choices in where children go to school because every child has unique needs and may thrive in a different environment. Parents likely consider many factors when choosing the right school for their child. In Pennsylvania, parents can choose a cyber charter school as small as under 100 students, or as big as almost 10,000. Some factors to consider when parents are looking at school size are class size, attention to students, community, academic achievement, and curriculum.

Please review the school size of the cyber charter schools in PA, per PDE Public School Enrollments 2019-2020:

level-score

PA Virtual Charter School families have the best of both worlds - small enough that our students can master the curriculum in smaller class sizes, paired with strong parental involvement and a true sense of community, yet large enough that students have a wide variety of courses, services, and social opportunities available to them.

Grade Levels

Pennsylvania’s public, cyber charter schools are authorized directly by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. These charters establish the grade levels offered at the school. Not every school offers every grade level. As you are choosing the right school for your child, this information will play a crucial role in your choice.

Susq-Cyber CS offers grades 9-12
Achievement House CS offers grades 7-12
21st Century Cyber CS offers grades 6-12
Reach Cyber Charter School offers K-12
Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School offers K-12
Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School offers K-12
PA Distance Learning Charter School offers K-12
Insight Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School offers K-12
Commonwealth Charter Academy offers K-12
Central Pennsylvania Digital Learning Foundation offers K-12
Agora Cyber Charter School offers K-12

PA Virtual Charter School offers every grade level from kindergarten through 12th grade. Our school is separated into 3 smaller schools, or learning communities - Elementary School (Kindergarten - 4th Grade), Middle School (5th Grade - 8th Grade), and High School (9th Grade - 12th Grade). Each school is overseen by a Principal, Assistant Principals, and has individualized support services.

Graduation Rate

High school graduation rates can be an important indicator of a school’s success. All public schools in the state provide their graduate data through the Pennsylvania Information Management System (PIMS), and that data is used to calculate Graduation Rate. Below you can see data from the Future Ready PA Index from 2019-2020 (PA Department of Education's most recent published data).

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PA Virtual is proud to have the highest 4-year Graduation Rate of all the cyber schools in the state.

We hope this section comparing all 14 cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania will help you as you research the best school for your child. While Pennsylvania’s public, cyber charter schools are chartered and monitored through the Pennsylvania Department of Education, every school is independent and the differences are vast. Make sure to consider all of these factors as you make your choice for your child.

When parents decide to research cyber school as an option for their child, they usually have many questions. Maybe you're wondering, "What happens after my child graduates from online school?" Or, one popular question we hear at PA Virtual is: “How will a PA Virtual education prepare my child for post graduation?” PA Virtual high school students complete a graduation project which gives them real-world experiences whether that be through job-shadowing or research. In addition, each and every day, through instruction and supports, our teachers prepare students to successfully transition out of high school as independent lifelong learners.

College Selection

PA Virtual prepares students for life after graduation in several ways. One tool PA Virtual School Counselors use is called Naviance. Counselors will ask students in as early as 7th grade to start thinking about what kind of college or trade school they would like to attend. Questions such as: “Would you prefer a large school or a smaller school”, “Do you want to go to a school close to home or look outside of the state”, and “What do you think you would like to major in” all help the system to create a personalized list of schools that would best match the student’s interests and needs. Our school counseling team even helps schedule virtual and on-campus visits! Because students’ wants change as they get older, counselors conduct this exercise every year and give students a list of schools to look into that fit their specific profile.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

PA Virtual doesn’t stop with finding a good education fit - they also help families find ways to afford it, too. Our school counseling team holds financial aid awareness assemblies for any student looking to help fund their post cyber school education. Our high school counseling team also offers financial aid presentations in the evening to cover specific questions and help students avoid typical stumbling blocks that families come across when applying for financial aid. As far as one-on-one time, our counselors conduct senior reviews to make sure that students are not only on pace to graduate, but are also on track to get accepted into the school of their choice. These steps have produced impressive results. Not only do over 70% of our students choose to attend a post-secondary school, but the 2020 graduating class was offered over $1.2M in scholarship funds!

Who Can Enroll?

PA Virtual enrolls school-age students, as defined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This includes students from the age of 5 through 21. To enroll in kindergarten, children must meet the age requirements of their resident school district. In addition, students must be a resident of Pennsylvania. Since we are a public school, there is no cost or tuition fees to enroll.

Step 1 : Application

Enrolling in a Pennsylvania cyber school is a big step and we want you to have all the information that you need to decide if this is the right fit for your child and family. To help you make that decision, your first step in the Enrollment Process is to have an introductory phone call with an Enrollment Specialist who will explain our model of education and answer any questions you may have. If you decide that PA Virtual will be a good fit for your family, we will explain how to start your online registration and submit the required documents.

Step 2 : Documents

You will receive a personalized email with the link to the registration form, which should take 10-15 minutes to complete, as well as a list of documents to submit with the fax or email address for submitting them. We will also provide you with the enrollment forms required by the PA Department of Education, which you complete online and submit electronically.

The documents that are required by the state of Pennsylvania include:

Student’s proof of age (birth certificate, valid passport or baptismal certificate)
Parent’s proof of residence and photo id (current driver’s license, entire current utility bill, deed, lease, property tax bill or vehicle registration and insurance)
Student’s up-to-date immunization records

In addition, we request these additional documents if applicable:

Most recent report card
High school transcripts
Homeschool affidavit and evaluation
Attendance record
Discipline record
504 Plans
Special education records
Custody agreement
Guardian agreement

Step 3 : Conference

After you complete your online registration and submit your documents, the Assistant Director of Enrollment will call you to complete the Enrollment Conference. During this call, we will discuss the specific requirements and expectations for our school and for your child’s grade level and also explain your role as the Learning Coach. In addition, we will talk about the specific needs of your child so that this information can be shared with our Academic and Family Support Teams. Sharing this information will help them to provide support to your child from day one. We will confirm your child’s start date with PA Virtual and withdrawal date from their current school. After the Enrollment Conference, it is your responsibility to contact your current school to provide them with your start and withdrawal dates. Your child should remain enrolled in their current school until the enrollment process is finalized.

Step 4 : Orientation

And the final step in the enrollment process is Orientation! You will receive your child’s school-issued laptop before Orientation starts. During this two-week program, you and your child will be actively engaged in online sessions with your Orientation teacher. Our Orientation teachers introduce you to our online tools and academic programs and help ease your transition into this virtual model. We believe that providing this opportunity to learn about our various online systems, our organizational structure and academic programs will help you to be successful at PA Virtual.

Ready To Enroll?

Enroll early so that you are able to start the school year on our first day of school! Enrolling early will also give you time to set up your home learning environment. We also have open enrollment throughout the school year. Apply now to begin the enrollment process.

We look forward to helping you through the enrollment process and are very excited to partner with you as your child starts their educational journey with PA Virtual!

Conclusion

We hope that our online school guide in Pennsylvania is helpful for you. Pennsylvania cyber charter schools offer flexibility to students and their families. Our asynchronous mode of instruction provides an opportunity for families to customize a student’s schedule that works best for them, allowing students to complete work at their own pace. Additionally, because virtual charter schools are public schools, there is no cost to attend, and all academic materials are shipped directly to each family’s home. Students graduate with a high school diploma just like students at your local district school. And students are equipped with the skills and preparedness for the next step after graduation, whether that is furthering their education or entering the workforce.

*As a public school, PA Virtual is funded by Pennsylvania Taxpayer dollars.

Our Families Say It Best:

“We are PA Virtual proud because they go above and beyond other schools.”

They encourage my son to embrace his intelligence and to never stop learning!.”

Kariann Kocher, Elementary School Parent.

“We are happy with being a part of PA Virtual because we have been welcomed from day one by all of the lovely staff members who are as passionate about teaching as we are about learning.

PA Virtual helped integrate and transition us when other local schools would not and now my daughter is excelling and actually enjoying learning without disruptions. Thank you PA Virtual.”

Wanda Klinefelter, Middle School Parent

“PA Virtual has made a difference in our lives by allowing my child the flexibility and freedom to excel beyond our wildest dreams while engaging in fun, exciting, and challenging virtual classrooms. Thanks PA Virtual!”

Corinne Putnick, High School Parent.

I have been at PA Virtual since 2001. I love working with our new families as they start their journey with our school!

Becky Bartholomew, Assistant Director of Enrollment

I have been with PA Virtual since 2014, helping new families learn about our program and begin the enrollment process. When I'm not helping new families, you can find me sharing funny cat videos on Facebook, begging my husband for an alpaca, or attending Renaissance Fairs.

Andie Byron, Interim Assistant Director of Enrollment Communication

I've been with PA Virtual for 5 years, starting as an Enrollment & Marketing Specialist and now as the Director of Marketing & Communications. Before working with PA Virtual, I was a radio personality and producer.

Sheik Meah, Director of Marketing & Communications

I’ve worked at PA Virtual for 12 years. I’m a school choice advocate and believe that every child can learn in an environment that’s right for them. I’m a dog lover and a corgi fanatic.

Jamie Shedd, Director of Enrollment

I have worked for PA Virtual since 2009. I have played many roles at PA Virtual from Front Desk Administrative Assistant to Marketing & Communications Specialist. I love that in each one of my roles, I get to know all of our students and their families!

Heather Varalli, Marketing & Communications Specialist

           I am #PAVirtual Proud because PA Virtual formed the perfect educational environment for me!
        

Amazing teachers and courses challenged my mind, while the flexibility of an online environment and encouraging faculty gave me support in areas where I needed help to thrive!”

The Ultimate Guide to Attending a Pennsylvania Public Cyber Charter School

Weighing the Pros and Cons of Pennsylvania Public Cyber Schools

Would Your Child Benefit from a PA Public Cyber School?

Pennsylvania Public Cyber School Teachers

Pennsylvania Public Cyber School Curriculum Examples

Pennsylvania Public Cyber School Instruction Process

Pennsylvania Public Cyber School Comparisons

Post Pennsylvania Public Cyber School Opportunities

The Enrollment Process at a PA Public Cyber School

Introduction

Weighing the Pros and Cons of Pennsylvania Cyber Charter Schools

School Choice

Unlimited Opportunities

Clubs Galore

What about Extracurricular Activities?

Pennsylvania Cyber Charter Schools & State Testing

Too Much Screen Time?

PA Cyber School Teachers & State Certification

Students Receive Full Support Services at PA Virtual Schools

"My teachers help me by showing me new things. At PA Virtual, I enjoy meeting new kids."

Silas

PA Virtual Student

Get Your Copy of This Guide!

How Do You Know if Your Child Would Benefit from a PA Cyber School?

I Want To Be More Involved In My Child’s Education

My Child Needs More Individualized Attention

My Child Will Benefit from a Structured School Schedule

My Child Needs A Flexible Schedule Throughout The Day

I Want Socialization And Leadership Opportunities For My Child

I Want A School With A Strong Support System For Our Family

PA Virtual Charter School Teachers

PA Virtual Charter School Teacher Profiles

Meet Katie Barnett!

Meet Tammy Bacon!

PA Virtual School Curriculum Examples

Elementary School Sample

Middle School Sample

High School Sample

PA Virtual School Instruction Process

Elementary School Virtual Charter School Instruction Process

Middle School Virtual Charter School Instruction Process

High School Virtual Charter School Instruction Process

Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School Comparisons

PVAAS

Total Overall Enrollment for PA Virtual Charter School

Grade Levels

Graduation Rate

Post Cyber School Opportunities

College Selection

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Other Post-Secondary Pursuits

Catching Up with Eli Harkins: Cyber School Alumni

“PA Virtual provided me with countless skills which are vital in college. Time management, note-taking, online portal navigation, and test-taking abilities are things I mastered with PA Virtual.”

What is the Enrollment Process Like for Pennsylvania Cyber Charter Schools in PA?