PA Virtual has a vibrant history rooted in its mission: to bring a superior public K-12 cyber charter public education option to Pennsylvania’s families. September 4, 2001 ushered in an innovative opportunity for school choice. From the school’s humble beginnings at One Montgomery Plaza across from the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, PA to the modern facility that is the present administrative headquarters, PA Virtual’s journey has always been grounded in the core values of We Care, I Matter.

This year PA Virtual celebrates its silver anniversary of 25 years of service, leadership, and quality in all areas of K-12 public cyber education. Please read on to learn more of PA Virtual’s story in the following 25 Facts which celebrate milestones, showcase the school’s impact on cyber education for Pennsylvania families, and provide insight into the overall PA Virtual experience.

 

FACT 1: PA Virtual’s successful journey began in 2001 with just 3 grades: Kindergarten, First, and Second. 

FACT 2: PA Virtual expanded its grade levels incrementally over the subsequent years and achieved a major milestone in 2009 by offering a full grades K-12 educational program.

FACT 3: The year 2009 brought an additional milestone for PA Virtual- its first high school graduating class! 

FACT 4: There were over 160 students graduating in the class of 2025.

FACT 5: Since that first graduating class, there have been thousands more students to graduate from PA Virtual. Many of the graduates have advanced to colleges, professional fields, or entrepreneurial endeavors. 

FACT 6: Students are enrolled from all 67 counties in Pennsylvania, thus providing a diverse population of students, from rural to urban and everywhere in between.

FACT 7: PA Virtual’s student body consisted of 600 students in grades K-2.

FACT 8: Since the very beginning in 2001, PA Virtual has partnered with Stride, Inc. (formerly known as K12, Inc.) to provide an interactive learning experience that blends online and offline instructional components.

 FACT 9: PA Virtual employs top talent; there are over 200 PA Certified Instructional staff at the present time.

FACT 10: The top talent employed by PA Virtual has longevity, with many teachers being with the school for 20+ years. The school is proud to have a teacher continue to be in its ranks since the very first day 25 years ago!

FACT 11: The Diamond Model of Partnership at PA Virtual ensures student success through four main domains.

FACT 12: At PA Virtual, the Diamond Model of Partnership includes the parent as the Learning Coach. This role is a vital component of each child’s success.

Fact 13: PA Virtual’s Diamond Model of Partnership offers flexibility and structure in instructional modes - there are two types of paths available: synchronous and asynchronous. Both models utilize innovations in instruction, including learning analytics and adaptive assessment tools.

FACT 14: Each student is provided with all necessary materials to be successful in this model, including a laptop, printer/scanner, and curricular materials. To support  the Diamond Model of Partnership and a continuous online learning experience, our dedicated technology team helps troubleshoot and solve issues with school hardware and software.

FACT 15: The Parent Education & Engagement department, which is another component of the Diamond Model of Partnership, supports parents as they transition to their new role as Learning Coaches for their children. Families who need a Parent Ambassador to help navigate through cyber school just have to ask! 

FACT 16: As a public cyber school, PA Virtual’s Pupil Health Department offers health services to our students to support their health, wellness, and academic growth. The nurses hold over 30 free health screenings across the state annually.

FACT 17: PA Virtual provides Family Support Coordinators to serve as a regional contact for families. They organize monthly field trips and service-learning opportunities so students can socialize and connect with their classmates!

FACT 18: As a public school, PA Virtual must adhere to state-mandated testing, including the PSSA and Keystone exam. Students now have access to these exams in a completely digital format- no more bubbling in answers!

FACT 19: PA Virtual is approved and monitored through the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). Here’s something to celebrate- the school’s charter renewal has been approved by the PDE for the next 5 years!

FACT 20: At the present time, there are over 375 students achieving Honor Roll Status at the High School level here at PA Virtual.

Fact 21: PA Virtual offers, to eligible students, the opportunity for dual enrollment to earn college credits while in high school.

Fact 22: Students at PA Virtual have the opportunity to join, by invitation, five different honor societies.

Fact 23: PA Virtual embraces the future contributions of its graduates, and offers a robust career and technical education program for all students to cultivate their future beyond the school-age years.

Fact 23: As a public school, PA Virtual students must be in accordance with ACT158 of 2018. To that end, PA virtual offers four distinct pathways to ensure that all students are graduation-eligible and can demonstrate post-secondary preparedness.

Fact 24: PA Virtual has demonstrated resilience and leadership throughout changing circumstances, most notably navigating rapid enrollment surges due to the global pandemic.

Fact 25: PA Virtual is celebrating our 25th Anniversary this year!

 

As you can clearly see, PA Virtual is a dynamic school that has seen phenomenal growth over the past 25 years. PA virtual will continue to remain on the cutting edge of cyber education with the expansion of programs across all grade levels, the development of best practices for virtual instruction, and furthering community connections to support the growth and success of each student. 

Three cheers for 25 years- the best is yet to come!