Cyber-charter schools: Are they making the grade?
Spending school days online, not in classroom
By MARY BETH SCHWEIGERT and CHIP SMEDLEY
Staff
Staff
Angela Altrichter home-schooled all three of her sons through eighth grade.
But as her boys got older, Altrichter realized she didn't want to teach high school.
She looked for a program with a low student-to-teacher ratio and eventually chose 21st Century Cyber Charter School in Exton.
Altrichter's youngest son, Aaron, is now a junior at the school, where his schedule includes both live online lessons and independent assignments.
It's a good fit for Aaron, who hopes to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.
"[My teachers] are always very supportive," he said. "When we complete assignments, they give us very positive feedback."
The Altrichters, of Lancaster Township, are among a growing number of Pennsylvania families who are choosing cyber-charter schools.
Sixteen cyber-charters operate throughout the state, including four that opened just this fall. Another eight have applied to open next year, including one that plans a "cyber cafe" in Lancaster.
In 2011-12, the schools enrolled 32,322 students, including 1,404 from Lancaster County.
Cyber-charter schools are public schools. The Pennsylvania Department of Education grants the schools' charters and has financial and academic oversight.
Families do not pay tuition. When a student within a school district's boundaries attends a cyber-charter school, the district foots the bill.
Cyber-charters are magnets for controversy, attracting defenders and detractors who are
But as her boys got older, Altrichter realized she didn't want to teach high school.
She looked for a program with a low student-to-teacher ratio and eventually chose 21st Century Cyber Charter School in Exton.
Altrichter's youngest son, Aaron, is now a junior at the school, where his schedule includes both live online lessons and independent assignments.
It's a good fit for Aaron, who hopes to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.
"[My teachers] are always very supportive," he said. "When we complete assignments, they give us very positive feedback."
The Altrichters, of Lancaster Township, are among a growing number of Pennsylvania families who are choosing cyber-charter schools.
Sixteen cyber-charters operate throughout the state, including four that opened just this fall. Another eight have applied to open next year, including one that plans a "cyber cafe" in Lancaster.
In 2011-12, the schools enrolled 32,322 students, including 1,404 from Lancaster County.
Cyber-charter schools are public schools. The Pennsylvania Department of Education grants the schools' charters and has financial and academic oversight.
Families do not pay tuition. When a student within a school district's boundaries attends a cyber-charter school, the district foots the bill.
Cyber-charters are magnets for controversy, attracting defenders and detractors who are
Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/775329_Cyber-charter-schools--Are-they-making-the-grade-.html?page=all#ixzz2BvLWMT36
