Debbie Cyber charter schools operate like virtual home schools, a form of public schooling where students learn at their own pace and receive their regular curriculum online.
Unlike brick-and-mortar public schools, they do not charge tuition to students or parents. Instead, their payments are paid from each student’s home district, often at a fraction of the district’s per-student budget.
What is a Cyber Charter School?
A school instructs students online is known as a “cyber charter school.” The students at Reach Cyber Charter School complete all their assignments at home using computers and have access to their classes whenever they want, unlike traditional schools where everyone sits in the same classroom.
Many children who struggle in a typical public school or desire a more individualized education enroll in a cyber charter school. They may also be interested in returning to school after dropping out or seeking an individual graduate plan.
In Pennsylvania, all cyber schools are authorized and overseen by the State Department of Education. The Department of Education conducts regular audits and 5-year renewals on all cyber charter schools to ensure that every aspect of a cyber charter school is regulated and evaluated.
How Does a Cyber Charter School Work?
A cyber school provides an online learning environment where students can take classes on a schedule that best suits their needs. They can also get help on their assignments and receive support from teachers at no cost to the student or family.
While the virtual classroom allows students to learn at their own pace and build independence, it can be challenging for young children without strong social skills. However, the school’s staff, parents, and teachers work together to provide students with a supportive educational environment.
Students can also participate in school-sponsored activities like sports, girl scouts, dance lessons, and other extracurricular opportunities. It is an excellent way to connect with other kids and develop friendships that may last a lifetime.
How Do Cyber Charter School Students Socialize?
Cyber school students spend most of their day working at home in front of a computer, without the same opportunities to meet face-to-face with friends or teachers that students at brick-and-mortar schools enjoy. But that doesn’t mean online students are isolated or have no social life, educators say.
Using technology, some cyber schools can promote more face-to-face interactions among their students than they might be able to otherwise.
But parents and students should be realistic about how much online learning provides socialization.
How Do Cyber Charter School Students Learn?
Students who enroll in cyber charter schools come from a variety of backgrounds. Some have experienced social issues in traditional schools, while others are looking for a challenging curriculum more tailored to their needs.
Students can finish their work at the most convenient time for them and their families when attending a cyber charter school, which is the most significant advantage. It gives them more time to do activities they enjoy.
For example, a middle school student could attend an orthodontist appointment, attend girl scouts, take dance lessons, work on a CCA(r) AgWorks experiment, and babysit their siblings while completing their coursework online.
Students can communicate with their teachers by video chat, audio, or text message and meet with them in the virtual classroom for help if they need it. This personalized approach to education fosters individual learning development and increases their motivation to complete their assignments.
