My name is Brendan and I am a student at 21st Century Cyber Charter School. I am from Effort, Pennsylvania. I moved to Effort between my first and second year in Cyber School so it was nice not having to change schools and teachers.~ I wanted to let you know why I choose Cyber School. My previous school district failed to provide me an appropriate school environment and quality education. My parents worked with the teachers and school system for a number of years to find the right solution, but the school system could not make things right.

I would like to give you a little background about myself. I was born 3 months premature and had developmental delays. I am on the Autism spectrum and sometimes my mannerisms or words had hurt others when I was younger. I did not always understand that what I said could be hurtful. I also have a Tic disorder which gets worse when I am nervous, frustrated, or excited. I don’t even realize I’m doing it. This made me a target for other kids to bully me. I also Stim when I’m overstimulated which caused a huge problem in school. The teachers didn’t like me touching my hair constantly (even though I was listening to them).

Because of my developmental delays I started out in preschool with early intervention which was in the same elementary school that I ended up attending all through 5th grade. I enjoyed going to school every single day even though things did not go very well. I had difficulties academically and socially. I was put into part time learning support but was main streamed for most classes. Full-Time learning support was not an option for me inside the school. I would had to be transferred to a different school which was for lower functioning children. Everyone in my educational team thought this would not be the best option for me.

My educational team agreed that I needed my own student aide. My parents were excited that the school district was able to provide this for me, however, my first student aide could not understand my needs and challenges. I frequently was told that my actions were “bad” or that I did not do “the right thing”. Nothing was modeled to me as to what I should have said or done. This left me frustrated and upset much of the time because I did not know what I had done wrong.

I watched my parents get upset every day. They always called the school or wrote multiple notes. In the schools eyes I was a problem child. At one point I had a meltdown in the classroom. I crawled under the table and refused to come out. The teacher tried to pry me out and I got up and threw a chair. I was taken to the principal’s office. I was unable to tell them what got me upset and I was suspended for my behavior.

Things got worse in middle school. Kids continued to bully me. I was being taunted in the school bus and in the school. Academics was not any better. I was provided a different student aide who became very frustrated with me. She would often do some of the school work for me when I was running behind. My educational team worked with my parents to come up with the right solution for me, however, nothing seemed to work. This is when my parents decided to research cyber schooling.

My parents and I spoke to a number of cyber schools before deciding on 21st century cyber charter school.~ My first school year online was tough but it was nothing like the frustrations I experienced in my previous school district. Other kids I speak with online and at school events are friendly. I have not had to deal with any bullying which has given me a much better attitude towards school. My previous schooling had left me with very little positive study skills.~ My learning coach and teachers in my new school provide me personalized attention. They worked very hard to put me in the best possible position to succeed.~ I am now in 10th grade and in my 3rd year in cyber school.

I receive the one on one attention that is helping me succeed. If funding to cyber schools is cut I am afraid that I may not receive the individual support that I have received up to this point.~ Because of the wonderful education I receive at 21st century cyber charter school I am now reading at my own grade level. My previous school district told my parents that I would not exceed beyond a 6 grade reading level.~ I am very thankful for everyone who works with me.~ I do not believe I will get the same level of attention if funding is cut.

I could not imagine what my life would have been like now if I continued in my previous school district. Cyber schools provide kids who have been failed by their local public schools another option. Please understand that cutting funding to cyber charter schools will hurt those children who have been failed by their local school district.

Your child’s name: 

Sophia (Sophie) Lane

How long has your child attended 21CCCS?

Sophie has attended 21CCCS for 10th and 11th grades

Tell us a bit about your child:

Sophie is dedicated to becoming a professional Ballet dancer. She dances over 20 hours a week. Sophie enjoys controlling her time in and out of the dance studio. Sophie is a creative person and student. Sophie strives for high grades and sees herself attending College in the future.

Why did you decide to send your child to cyber school?

Sophie attended 9th grade at Cheltenham High School. Sophie was injuring herself during gym. We tried working with the administration to have dance count as her gym credit. Pennsylvania has laws in place that require students to take four years of gym. Cheltenham High School would not accept dance hours for gym.

We decided to send our child to cyber school for the flexibility in Sophie’s schedule academically and for her physical safety.

How has your child been impacted by his or her experience with cyber schooling?

Sophie has flexibility in her schedule, which allows for more training and performing.

Sophie feels that she is learning 100% during the time at cyber school. She felt so much time was given to commuting to and from school.

Sophie has the flexibility to spend her day just in one subject and really understand the concepts. Cyber teachers and learning coaches are available to talk at any time. The concept of a learning coach is wonderful. This teacher keeps an eye on the students progress and alerts students and parents to problems.

Sophie has developed computer skills that will benefit her through any career.

Sophie feels so much happier and less stressed, balancing dance and school.

My daughters, Cierra and Madison Runge, both enrolled in 21CCCS in 2012 because their need for extraordinary athletic training demanded a less structured, yet rigorous, educational experience.  Both girls have aspirations that not only give them the opportunity to represent the United States at national and international competitions, but also include attending and competing for Division 1 NCAA universities.  The need for an exceptional education and training is a necessary part of those goals, and we have found that 21CCCS enables both of those things.

 

Both Cierra and Madison train from 3 ½ to 5 ½ hours per day, six days a week.  Training is physically and mentally exhausting. 21CCCS has allowed them to remain flexible with their daily schedule so that they can attend practice, have frequent quality meals, nap as necessary, and complete schoolwork. It also allows them to travel to competitions that would normally interrupt attending class.  Because they attend 21CCCS, they can complete schoolwork by extending their school attendance throughout an entire day and through weekends and holiday breaks.  They can also take their work with them as they travel without any limitations.  Because of the ability to attend to their training and physical needs, their athletic performance is maximized and they are able to attain their goals.  Cierra has been named to the United States National Team, has represented the USA at multiple world-class international competitions and won multiple medals for Team USA.  She is within the top 5 in world ranking in multiple events and is a strong US Olympic Team hopeful for the upcoming 2016 Rio Games.  She is also now a PAC 12 and NCAA American record holder, NCAA record and NCAA champion who swims for University of California-Berkeley.  Madison is a National Junior athlete and is an expected Olympic Trials qualifier this season.  She is currently being recruited by many Division 1 universities across the country.

 

Because Cierra is attending a prestigious universitiy, Berkeley, and Madison will also attend the equally impressive University of Wisconsin or the US Naval Academy, it has been imperative that their education remained rigorous enough to pass admissions to these universities and prepare them for the intensity of coursework they will face.  21CCCS has provided class choices that are accepted by the NCAA, rigorous enough to pass admissions and provided practical competencies, challenging content and further development of advanced critical thinking abilities necessary for attending this level of university.  Cierra was easily accepted at Berkeley and achieved a 3.5 average her first semester, despite an incredibly busy schedule and challenging classes such as Physiology and Chemistry. She is having repeated academic success this semester.  We expect that Madison will be prepared for the same.

 

I can say with complete confidence that neither Cierra nor Madison would have achieved their athletic or academic goals by attending a traditional public school.  Having a structured, inflexible, impersonal, “mass” education would have limited the necessary training, therefore lowering their athletic performance and lessening the height of their achievements thus far.  They would not have been recruited to the best universities and given opportunities to pursue degrees at the finest institutions in the country.  21CCCS faculty have been extraordinary in their personal attentiveness and individualization, the classes far more varied and interesting, the coursework solid and thought-provoking, the schedule flexible, and the style one that prepares them better for the self-discipline and motivation required in a collegiate education.  The girls are safer, socially connected and very happy.  Public on-line charter schools allow students to maximize individual interests, strengths, potential and goals in an alternative, successful setting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

When my son was born, I promised him, and myself, that I would be there every step of the way: encouraging him, protecting him, keeping him safe, and pushing him to reach for the stars. Along Stephen’s life journey, I have been challenged to keep that promise. Unfortunately, my decision-making has been especially difficult in cases when it comes to my son’s education.

My husband and I signed Stephen up for football hoping it would help make the transition into middle school easier. Football season was the start of Stephen being picked on by his teammates and threatened through social media. We reached out to coaches and administration as the situation continued and did not receive the help that was needed.

My child began changing in front of my eyes, losing his vibrant, funny personality. He was diagnosed with an eating disorder due to the seriousness of the bullying. Something needed to be done immediately before we lost our child. I knew that our home school district was responsible for providing a free and appropriate education for my child. When a child is being bullied day after day and no longer feels safe in his learning environment, that education is no longer appropriate.  It was at that time that we made the decision to choose a different school for our son. We enrolled him at 21^st Century Cyber Charter School for his 7^th grade year.

Fast-forward two years. Stephen continues to attend 21CCCS. He enjoys school again. He is able to complete schoolwork on a schedule that works best for him and really enjoys the interaction with his teachers and classmates. He has made distinguished honor roll each quarter because he is able to focus on his academics. He is so happy and full of life. His smile lights up a room. Most importantly, I have my son back.

Parents, Stephen’s story is not unique. Many of our students have stories similar to Stephen’s. Please share your story and let politicians know why it is important to support Cyber Charter Schools. Please share your story via email with Monica Frank at mfrank@21cccs.org