Type Online Grades Pre-K - 12 Phone +1 724-643-1180 Founded 2000 | Established 2000 Number of students 10,000 | |
Enrollment Public (PA only), 10,000+ Address 652 Midland Ave, Midland, PA 15059, USA CEO Nicole Granito (18 Jul 2016â) District Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School Motto Helping families build their own school... Out of choices, not bricks. (2000-2014) The learning never stops. (2014-present) Similar Lincoln Park Performin, Baden Academy, Ambridge Area Senior Hi, Hopewell Area High School, Community College of Beaver C | ||
The pennsylvania cyber charter school
The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School, known familiarly as PA Cyber, is a public cyber charter school founded in Midland, Pennsylvania in 2000. The school secured a five-year renewal of its charter, from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, in July 2010. After a yearlong review, the school was accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools in 2011. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2012-2013 school year, the Title 1 school reported an enrollment of 10,434 pupils, 1,326 of whom had IEPs. It reported a 50.75 student/teacher ratio. In 2013, the school held three graduation ceremonies and, according to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, it graduated 1500 students, 87.7 percent of whom were bound for a post-secondary education.
Contents
Academic results
In 2011, 2010 and 2009, PA Cyber Charter School achieved AYP status.
Criticisms
The school has been subject to regular criticism from the Pennsylvania School Board Association and Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials over several issues, including funding and the school's fund balance reserves. In 2010, the school reported an Unreserved - Undesignated Fund balance of $2,406,089 and a Reserved - Undesignated Fund balance of $11,415,257. The undesignated funds are not committed to any planned project. Designated funds and any other funds, such as capital reserves, are allocated to specific projects. School districts are required by state law to keep 5 percent of their annual spending in the undesignated reserve funds to preserve bond ratings. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, from 2003 to 2010, as a whole, Pennsylvania school districts amassed nearly $3 billion in reserved funds.
The school was subject to a grand jury investigation in 2007 regarding using funds improperly (for expenses not related to each individual student). The allegations were: double billing, excessive management fees, questionable payments to building contractors and misuse of tax dollars with regards to the building of a $23.5 million Performing Arts Center. No indictment came from the proceedings.
Awards
The school was named "Top Places to Work" by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, in October 2011.
2012 Pre-Kâ12 Educator Award from University of Pittsburgh School of Education
In 2015, PA Cyber's Wexford 1 team attained Platinum tier in CyberPatriot VII, placing first in Pennsylvania and 54th in the nation.