Considering A Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School? Use These Steps To Ease Enrollment

Posted on January 10, 2019 by Matt Hillesland

Arguably, the greatest hurdle to finding an alternative to the local public school is understanding how these other options work. While parents and pupils have likely heard talk of charter schools, it’s unrealistic to expect anyone to immediately grasp the enrollment process and have a hold on how this type of educational operation works. That being said, 21^st Century Cyber Charter School (21CCCS) wants to demystify the process. A Pennsylvania virtual charter school like 21CCCS delivers a learning experience that few local public schools could hope to rival. It’s for this reason that both prospective students and their parents/guardians will want to sign up. The only duty on their part is to read up on the enrollment process, which we will examine below.

According to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, “more than 7,000 charter schools enroll nearly 3.2 million students” in the U.S. between 2017 and 2018. What’s more, this is an increase of about 150,000 pupils compared to figures from 2015-16. The rise in popularity of means many may be considering a Pennsylvania virtual charter school to educate their young one in the Keystone State. The first step for enrollment at 21CCCS, for example, is to assess the available enrollment dates. At present, there are deadlines through January, February and March of 2019 so parents can keep the process going for their child.

The “quick enrollment” feature that’s offered at 21CCCS, a Pennsylvania virtual charter school, will ask the following steps of parents or guardians: Complete an initial inquiry form, submit vaccination reports, wait for communication from the enrollment team so they can guide you through the process, review the enrollment forms and await final enrollment notification. The aforementioned inquiry form is a good place to allow Pennsylvania virtual charter school and parent/guardian to get to know each other. On this form, applicants will be invited to offer additional insight on the child’s current education (grade level and participation in “gifted and talented” programs, for example), possible referral contact and opportunity to ask any additional questions. This form is the starting place and it serves a very important purpose.

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools has found that “16 percent of parents would like to send their child to a public charter school.” When you consider the perks, conveniences and other unique aspects that a Pennsylvania virtual charter school offers, it’s easy to see why demand is on the rise. Following a successful enrollment, a “day in the life” with one of these educational outlets will largely look like the agenda at a brick-and-mortar facility. There are math, science, history and gym classes. What parents and students won’t have to worry about is getting to and from school, staying late to make up work and other scheduling conflicts that just make life harder for all involved.

Why Cyber School Doesn’t Mean the End for Your Child’s Social Life

Posted on June 12, 2017 by Matt Hillesland

When most people think of virtual cyber schools in Pennsylvania, they envision one of two things. Their first thought is that students are either sitting in front of a TV all day and doing the bare minimum work or learning in a quiet, solitary experience. The latter tends to be the most common belief amongst those who have little to no knowledge about the cyber charter school experience. That is just not accurate.

This belief that students who learn in a digital capacity are less exposed to the social interactions comes from the idea that digital communication impedes and possibly replaces interpersonal communication and education. On the contrary, online schooling does not limit the quality of a child’s social interaction. In fact, the pattern of acquiring socialization skills for students who learn in a cyber charter school environment does not vary much from students who attend school in a traditional setting.

The flexibility of the cyber charter school environment allows students who have rigorous schedules in regards to sporting, acting, modeling, and other activities that require them to travel constantly. Students who enjoy this flexibility still find time to enjoy their favorite extracurricular activities, pursuing athletic or creative ventures. Many students who opt for a cyber charter school do so because their schedule does not allow for them to be in a traditional setting. It’s the perfect compromise to allowing children to follow their dreams while also obtaining their education.

Every school year, cyber schools do more to integrate face to face experiences to satisfy the concerns that many have regarding isolation and limited social interaction. One overlooked fact for many is that virtual cyber schools in Pennsylvania, like 21CCCS, offer a variety of clubs and organizations for students to still join. From chess club to poetry, students still have the opportunity to interact with fellow classmates in a personal, fun-filled setting. Just because a child is educated online does not mean that is the breadth of their social interaction.

Cyber schools work to create a more inclusive and personalized educational environment. It’s easy to assume that children who are in a cyber charter school will fall behind on social interaction, but that is just not the case.

How to Manage School and Work

Posted on December 6, 2016 by Matt Hillesland

One of the major benefits of a Pennsylvania virtual charter school is having the flexibility to set your own schedule. This makes online schooling very desirable for students who need to work while pursuing an education. School and work are both your obligations, but balancing your academic responsibilities with your work commitments isn’t always easy. Fortunately, there are a lot of students who are in your shoes, and it can be done. Here are a few tips to help you manage school and work.

Build a support system

If you’re a student with a job, building a strong support system can help you succeed. You do not have to go at this alone, so surround yourself with people who will support you. Along with your friends and family, reach out to your teachers and learning coaches to make them aware of your work obligations; they can help you develop a school schedule and routine that work for you.

Find a flexible job

Find a job that will accommodate your busy high school schedule, including your schoolwork and extracurricular activities. It’s usually best to choose a job with a fixed schedule, so that you aren’t constantly moving your school routine around week after week. Let your work manager know about your academic obligations and the maximum number of hours you can work each week. Also make sure the job allows you to request off when necessary; request off work well in advance if you need extra time for big tests and assignments.

Be mindful of deadlines

While virtual charter schools offer flexibility, academic deadlines are very concrete. Be mindful of your deadlines, and be sure your work schedule allows you to meet them. As soon as you receive your syllabus, create daily to-do lists to prioritize your responsibilities. Again, utilize your teachers and learning coaches. They can help you craft a work schedule around your deadlines.

Stay healthy

Managing school and work can be stressful, and being overly stressed can take a toll on your body. Make sure you are living a healthy lifestyle to avoid feeling burnt out. Eat well, remain active, and get seven to eight hours of rest every night.

Transitioning from a Traditional to Online School

Posted on November 15, 2016November 15, 2016 by Matt Hillesland

With the rise of technology, online schooling has become a popular option among students of all ages. While online education is common at the university level, it has become prevalent at the high school and middle school levels as well.

A lot of students grades six through 12 are considering making the switch from traditional to virtual schooling because they feel it better suits their lifestyle and academic needs. For someone who has spent most of their years in a traditional school, the switch to an online school can seem like a big transition. Consider these tips for a smooth transition to online learning and to get the most out of your educational experience.

Designate a Specific Learning Space

While PA cyber schools don’t have distractions like class clowns and bullies, it’s important to create a designated home study space, where you can remain focused on your school work. This space should be someplace quiet, where you won’t be distracted by family members or the television. A desk in a secluded home office, for instance, makes a great learning space.

Commit to a Schedule

One of the major perks of being a cyber school student is getting to set your own schedule. With this, a cyber charter school offers great flexibility, allowing you to learn when it’s best for you. But, because you are responsible for setting your schedule and completing your schoolwork on your own time, you need to be very organized and create a daily schedule.

Whether or not you’re someone who needs to balance work and school, reach out to your teachers and learning coaches to help you build a schedule. Your teachers and coaches can help you create a schedule around your other obligations to lay the foundation for academic success.

Utilize Your Resources

A key difference in online schooling is you aren’t being taught by a teacher in person. Just because you can’t raise your hand to ask a question or speak with a teacher after class, it doesn’t mean your teachers aren’t available whenever you need them. In a cyber charter school, teachers are always available, but you have to reach out to them. Your teachers and learning coaches are just a click away, so maintain open communication with them and ask for help and guidance whenever you need it.

How Can Online Education Benefit Gifted Students?

Posted on October 5, 2016February 3, 2023 by Matt Hillesland

Online schooling is on the rise in the United States, as many students, parents, and educators are realizing its benefits. Cyber schools offer students increased flexibility, convenience, personalized learning, and fewer distractions. How online education can benefit gifted students is a topic that is often overlooked. Traditional schools often lack a systematic way to address the needs of gifted students, but virtual charter schools provide instruction based on a student’s ability, not their age. Read on to discover how online education can benefit the gifted.

Get Ahead

A traditional classroom setting can be restricting for highly capable students. In a large classroom, instruction is usually taught at a pace that suits the majority of the students. The gifted have a quicker learning rate than the average student, and can therefore be held back by this type of environment. Learning at too slow of a pace can leave gifted youth feeling bored, frustrated, and unenthused.

On the other hand, online education allows gifted students to work independently and at their own pace. The learning environment is based on the individual, not the group. Students can spend as much time on a subject as they need and enjoy personalized curriculum based on their ability and passion.

Explore Your Interests

Due to the scheduling and logistical restrictions on traditional schools, they often lack the types of classes that highly capable students are interested in taking. Online schools can go beyond the basic classes and offer courses that allow gifted students to explore their passions and interests. Cyber school students have a greater variety of courses to choose from and reap the benefits of higher level and more specialized subjects.

No Distracting Classmates

From the bully to the class clown, disruptive students get in the way of their classmates’ learning. Fortunately, online schooling eliminates these distractions. Also, online schools don’t have the social pressure of a normal school environment, enabling students to remain focused on what matters most— their education.

Online schools can provide numerous advantages for gifted students. To reap these benefits, enroll in our Pennsylvania virtual charter school. 21st Century Cyber Charter School is one of the highest-performing cyber charter schools in the state. Contact us to learn more about academics and enrollment: 484-875-5400.

5 Back to School Tips for Online Students

Posted on September 20, 2016 by Matt Hillesland

After a summer full of fun and sun, students across Pennsylvania are gearing up for Back to School. The new school year provides the perfect opportunity for online students to start fresh and set the stage for a successful year. Our Pennsylvania virtual charter school is sharing five Back to School tips for cyber students.

Get Organized

Start the school year off the right way by getting organized. Most cyber students work from home, so it’s beneficial to create a designated learning space. Assigning a specific place for school allows students to eliminate distractions and fully concentrate on their studies. Choose a comfortable, quiet space that offers plenty of room for your notebooks, computer, and other supplies. Also get organized by creating physical and/or electronic folders for each course, and use a planner to keep all of your schoolwork and social activities in order.

Set Attainable Goals

Setting personal goals can increase your motivation and improve your performance. Perhaps you want to make Honor Roll, get a B on your math exam, or improve your time management skills. Set short-term and long-term goals that are attainable, specific, and measureable, and determine the steps you’ll take to achieve them. For instance, if you want to improve your time management skills, you can make a list of each task you need to complete each day and assign them a specific time slot for when they’ll be completed.

Along with setting goals, decide how you’ll reward yourself for achieving them. Having an incentive will help you work harder toward accomplishing them. Talk to your parents about your goals and what they can do to help you reach them.

Establish a Routine

Many students choose a Pennsylvania virtual charter school because it offers greater flexibility than a traditional school. This flexibility puts students in charge of managing their time. Establishing a routine for your schoolwork can help you stay on track.

Get to Know Your Teachers

At 21st Century Cyber Charter School, your teachers and learning coaches are here to help you succeed. Just because you’re not in a traditional classroom setting doesn’t mean your teachers and counselors aren’t available to offer assistance and guidance. Get to know your teachers, principals, and other school staff and learn how you can reach them. 21CCCS also provides every student with a learning coach, who helps keep track of your progress and communicates with you at least on a bi-weekly basis to ensure you are receiving the instruction and guidance you need.

Check Your Tech

21CCCS students are supplied with all the technology they need for their schoolwork, including a Macbook, tablet, calculator, and more. When you receive these items, take the time to familiarize yourself with them, as well as any computer programs or software you may be using for your courses. Our new student orientation will help you with this.

Is a Cyber Charter School Right for Your Child?

Posted on September 8, 2016September 20, 2016 by Matt Hillesland

Pennsylvania virtual charter schools are revolutionizing what it means for a child to get a truly individualized, high quality education—and one that prepares them for the digital future. Online charter schools provide an alternative to traditional K-12 schooling, one where students can work asynchronously and in a more self-directed way, while striving for the highest possible academic achievement. Many parents find themselves wondering if this kind of school might be right for their child. And for many, the answer is yes.

There are many different kinds of families and children who choose a Pennsylvania virtual charter school. It’s a personal choice that only you can make. Here are some of the top reasons we see with students who thrive in the virtual environment:

To learn to be self-directed. One of the most important life skills for anyone growing up today is being capable of taking initiative and managing oneself in self-directed work activities. This has always been a key skill for leaders and is increasingly in demand for top jobs across all industries. A virtual charter school helps students learn this habit at a young age, by allowing them to structure their own schedules around fixed academic requirements. Academic mentors will help the student build a schedule that will allow him or her to be successful.

To provide stability with busy schedules. All kinds of families find value in an online school, but for many, it’s a way to accommodate a life that is busy with other interests. Traditionally, students would attempt to balance a schedule that required them to be in school for seven straight hours with pursuit of an outside interest such as acting, dancing, music, or athletics. With an online school, students are still able to have the structure of formal schooling while working their school hours around an intense pursuit of their interests.

To teach 21st century computer skills. The future of business is online. When your child grows up, they will perform many of their work tasks in an online environment and often work with colleagues and supervisors who are in different cities or even on different continents. By growing up in this kind of environment, they will be at home in tomorrow’s professional climate.

Individualized education. The flexible environment provided by cyber charter schools allows students to build an educational experience tailored to their specific needs. Students are able to structure their days around a school schedule that suits them, spending less time on subjects they learn easily and spending more time on subjects they struggle with.

How to Help Your Child Succeed in Online School

Posted on January 13, 2016January 13, 2016 by Matt Hillesland

Online school has many advantages over traditional public schools. Students experience fewer social distractions, more personal attention, and a much more flexible schedule. There are also some things that you can do to help your child get the most out of the experience. Whether you are new to the online charter school or cyber charter school approach or would simply like some advice about making it even more effective, here are some tips for helping your child succeed:

Give them some motivation

Motivation is one of the primary things that students need for success in an online school setting. Finding a way to motivate your child can help set them up for success. Depending on your child, this could mean having a goal, setting some sort of target, or providing an incentive. If your child realizes school is important and is willing to invest time and effort, their teachers and learning coaches will work with them to ensure their success.

Talk to teachers

It’s important that both you and your child establish and maintain open communication with teachers and the learning coach. Introduce yourself and make sure that instructors know that they can always contact you with any concerns or important notifications. Also, have your child communicate with their teachers and learning coach regularly. Establishing a rapport with the teachers will make it easier for your child to reach out later on and ask questions when they have them, which will be crucial to the learning process.

Make sure that they have a regular workspace

Working in the dining room one day, the living room another and their bedrooms at other times can throw off a student’s routine. In order for your child to remain attentive, they often need a certain amount of structure, so it’s a good idea to designate a specific area for them to learn in. You can base this on the way that they learn best. If, for instance, your child needs a quiet space to learn and you have a busy house, their room may be the best place. On the other hand, if their bedroom has too many distractions in it, a computer study might be a good alternative. Ensure that the space is well lit and comfortable. This way, your child will feel comfortable working from their designated space.

Teach them good work habits

Many kids need a little help honing good work habits, so make sure to give them some pointers and be consistent with the standards that you have for them. For example, taking breaks from work is a good idea, but the time should probably be carefully monitored and used to walk around a bit, get some fresh air, grab food or water, etc. It shouldn’t be used to surf the web or play video games; these things can be incredibly distracting and can stretch from an intended five or ten minutes to 45 without them even noticing.

Another thing you can help them to do is stay up-to-date with assignments. Parents have access to online student activity logs and gradebooks, so you can ensure your child is on the right track and not falling behind. If you have questions or need help interpreting this information, your child’s teachers and learning coaches are a phone call away!

These are just some of the ways in which you can help your child to do their absolute best at our Pennsylvania virtual charter school. Call us at 21CCCS at 484-875-5400 for more information!