Starting at any new school can be an adjustment for any family. For families making the jump to cyber education, there is often a transition period, especially for those who have just enrolled their first child into the world of virtual education. Let’s take a look at some important things you should know about PA Virtual Charter School.
First, PA Virtual Charter School is an online public school in Pennsylvania serving students in kindergarten through 12th grade all across the state. As a public school, PA Virtual is funded via taxpayer dollars, so there are no tuition fees to attend. Additionally, because it is approved and monitored by the PA Department of Education, PA Virtual is held to the same educational standards as all other public school in the state and must adhere to state-mandated testing, including the PSSA and Keystone Exams.
Understanding Cyber Education
You want to enroll in cyber school – but what are you getting yourself into? Cyber school is NOT where a student sits in front of a computer alone in the house all day. Cyber school students attend school online from their home with the in-person guidance and support from a parent or other responsible adult.
Although a significant portion of instruction is delivered using technology, PA Virtual students may also complete activities in workbooks or use manipulatives to reinforce concepts they are learning in class. Many classes allow for interactive or independent study sessions, and live class recordings can be re-watched by the student or parent at any time.
What makes PA Virtual unique?
There are lots of cyber charter options in Pennsylvania, 15 to be exact, and each of them has unique offerings for its students. So, what makes PA Virtual different than the others?
PA Virtual Charter School is a top-performing cyber charter school in Pennsylvania and prides itself on individualizing each student's educational experience by providing them with the tools, support, and technology to reach their full academic and social potential.
The PA Virtual Diamond Model relies on four main support structures with the student at the center: Parent Involvement, Academics, Curriculum & Technology, and Family Support.
Parent Involvement
Parents play a major part in the success of a child's education. At PA Virtual, we refer to the parent role as the Learning Coach. The role of the Learning Coach is usually filled by the parent or guardian who is at home with the student during the school day.
The Learning Coach’s responsibilities include everything from working with their student to monitoring and creating daily academic schedules, keeping up with the student's attendance and assignments, and communicating regularly with teachers and school staff. The partnership between the parent and school is key to the PA Virtual model.
Academics
At PA Virtual, all of our students have the support and guidance of a state-certified teacher. We offer both live online classes (synchronous) and independent classes (asynchronous) at all grade levels to accommodate the various learning styles of our students. You can learn more about each instruction mode here.
For students with special education needs, we have qualified special education staff to support those students and help them meet their individual goals outlined in their Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
Although each student's schedule will look a little different, students in grades k-6 will complete an average of 5 hours of school work each school day, and students in grades 7-12 will complete an average of 5.5 hours of school work each school day.
Curriculum & Technology
PA Virtual uses the rigorous K12, Inc. curriculum, specifically designed for an online learning environment, in addition to other widely known curriculum as well. You can check out the course descriptions by grade and our high school course catalog here.
Each student is issued a laptop, printer/scanner, and all curricular materials, shipped directly to their home. PA Virtual also provides families with a stipend twice a year to help offset monthly internet costs.
Family Support
From a social standpoint, PA Virtual boasts more outings and opportunities for interaction than most other cyber schools. Eight regionally-based Family Support Coordinators (FSC) are responsible for organizing monthly local field trips, providing additional support for families, and connecting those who may have similar needs or experiences. Many outings include educational or community service components for our students and families. PA Virtual also offers over 20 virtual clubs for students who share similar interests.
Here are some additional supports we offer to our families:
- Guidance Department- Our guidance counselors provide our 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.
- Parent Ambassador Program- This program enhances our parents’ knowledge and education by providing online parent learning sessions, parent certificate programs, and an optional one-on-one mentorship with an experienced PA Virtual parent. The Parent Ambassador Program gives parents the opportunity to learn tips and tricks to be a successful Learning Coach to students. We also offer opportunities for parents to volunteer and connect with other parents in the school and local community.
- Pupil Health Department- Our Pupil Health staff strives to keep our students and families healthy. They ensure all students are compliant with statewide health regulations, and they offer our families free health screenings across the state annually.
New Student Orientation
All of our new families participate in new student orientation when they begin with PA Virtual. This is a two-week comprehensive program led by state-certified teachers and administrators to help both the student and parent transition into the virtual model.
During orientation, parents will learn how to set up their parent email account, which serves as the most important communication tool between the school and our families. It will also familiarize families with the online platforms and student systems used by PA Virtual to log into classrooms, track attendance and check grades. This orientation is a great way to help students and parents learn how to get the most out of their online learning experience.
Creating Your Classroom
PA Virtual Learning Coaches are more than just a liaison between student and teacher. You are also the classroom manager, the cafeteria staff, and the recess monitor. Setting up your child for success in the virtual environment means creating a space in your home that is conducive to learning. Staying away from the TV and finding a desk or table free from outside distractions are two great ways to start setting up your in home “school.” Check out our blog post, "How to Set Up Your Child's Learning Space" to learn some more helpful tips.
The first day at any new school is never easy, but you can count on the friendly and helpful staff at PA Virtual to guide you through the transition into a cyber school. It is our goal to connect you with teachers, resources, and other families in your area and position your child for a lifetime of success with PA Virtual!
If you'd like to learn more about PA Virtual, you can request more information here.
