Home School Review - Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School
Midland , PA 15059
United States of America
I searched online, I spoke to other parents, I talked to educators about the possiblilites of home school. And in the end, we chose the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School. I had attended a meeting with their representatives, listened to their presentation, talked with the 50 or so other sets of parents that were there. We were all sharing the same old sad stories about the traditional school system. With the knowledge that I could pull my kids back out of their school at any time and place them back into their old school or follow my own home schooling curriculum, I decided to give them a chance to prove to me that their system would work for my family.
It was undoubtedly the best decision I had ever made. The advantages of this program far outweigh the disadvantages. From the first day I registered them with this school, I received the support of an Instructional Supervisor by phone and by e-mail, explaining to me the process we were following. He was knowledgeable, he was supportive, he was available to me whenever I needed him. Phone calls were returned within 30 minutes of the messages I left when necessary. Curriculum was reviewed for each of my 3 children that had been enrolled, requirements were explained and I was on my way to home schooling my children with a minimum of hassle.
I did have the same concerns that every other parent has when considering home schooling. The standard question of "What about socialization?" was a mantra running through my head. But I quickly found that the school planned field trips each month for their students to meet kids their own age, as well as have a learning experience at the same time. What a surprise when I found out that their teachers frequently attend these trips as well in an effort to meet their students face to face and get to know them!
I was suddenly in control of my kids' lives and future. I had access to an up to the minute website that would enable me to see what assignements were due, what tests were coming up, give me suggestions for other web sites to help them with their projects and studying. I had current e-mail addresses and phone numbers for every teacher that my children had. My children had the advantage of being able to attend open tutoring sessions with a qualified teacher who would help them when they were stuck on that math problem! And my children had a way to contact their classmates and work together to get stuff done.
I must include of course, the disadvantages one might find in this program. My children are now home almost all of the time. There is no quiet time, I have to feed my children 3 meals a day, I do have to make sure they get their work done. I do not see any of this as a disadvantage. I know who they are with, where they are, what they are or aren't eating and if they are doing their work and getting a good education. I am sure that there are disadvantages to this type of school and to this school specifically. If I find out what they are, I'll be sure to let you know. In the meantime, I will continue to be a proponent of home schooling as a formal education style.
Published by Melanie Winters
Melanie is a WAHM (work-at-home-mom) who specializes in Domestic Engineering. Imagine keeping a family of 7 on track, working online and staying sane? Inconceivable! But it does happen on a daily basis.... View profile
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9 Comments
Post a Commenti have been in leather ship for 2 year and i got kick out of school just for not compiling all of my work the school started to mark me out of school i was sick with sept throat now i have a million plos
i love pacyber im in it my grades are so good
Joe - I used a virtual school with my kids before, and I assure you, I was the one doing ALL the teaching. You have monthly phone access to a certified teacher, but honestly, the one we had was very green to teaching and was literally NO help at all to us. We don't use virtual schools anymore (we homeschool under a charter - and YES, that means that I, and I alone, am still the one doing all the teaching. There are a lot of kids who do well out of public school (my oldest daughter is one of them), but there are many, many who don't, too. And as far as teachers "having a life of their own", that's the excuse I heard from my daughter's 1st grade teacher who was leaving a classroom full of 6 year olds ALONE for hour each day, so she could have some "me" time. During that hour, a real monster of a boy got into her desk, pulled out pins, and chased my daughter around the class telling her he was going to stab her! This is one of a thousand unacceptable experiences we had with public s
Cyber schooling is not homeschooling. You have certified teachers teaching not some parent who claims traditional schooling is terrible. Funny I see many kids go on to college and thrive coming from these lousy traditional schools. To the lady who started the post, how dare teachers have a life of their own. You mean they have to be available 24 hours a day? Maybe if you spent more time with your kid and made them do their work it wouldn't be a problem.
Cyber school is not for everyone, but can be a wonderful match academically for many families. If you are interested in cyber education for your student, please also consider PA Leadership Charter School. PALCS is a tuition free, kindergarten through 12th grade public cyber school servicing students throughout the state of Pennsylvania. Courses are taught by over one hundred highly qualified teachers, who personally select curriculum used in the courses. PALCS offers several special programs for some students enrolled in the school. These programs create young leaders, instruct in performing and fine arts, and work with gifted and special needs students. Visit http://www.palcs.org for further information.
I am currently attending Pa Cyber and to be honest I already have depression, and it has been getting better. Plus my grades are improving from Ds to Bs and As. If your a person who can't stand to be lectured like hell in school. I recommend Pa Cyber. Because you actually LEARN. (Use to attend Hershey High School)
PA cyber sucks balls. hey kicked me from my sciece class even when i had a B andd failed me. DONT ATTEND PA CYBER, worst decision youll ever make.
i attended cyber school and it was the worst mistake i could have ever made. just my opinion. it may have worked great for you, but doing this made me develop depression and a decrease in my grades.
I too just made a decision to allow my daughter to home school. I can't tell you how much negative feedback I received about allowing her. To the point where I became very defensive about the subject. I truly felt in my heart it is the best decision for my daughter. I have even heard negative feedback from aids that work in our public school regarding the cyber school. Very frustrating when everyone around you is listening to nothing but the negatives regarding cyber school. I wish I could find more stories about the success of cyber school So, I have the facts when defending my decision.