What charter schools mean to Pennsylvania families 

National Charter Schools Week is May 10-16. To celebrate, we’re sharing stories of how Pennsylvania’s public charter schools have gone above and beyond for the 143,000 students and their families who have chosen charters. 

Below are just a few stories from 143K Rising families and supporters about what makes charter schools special. 

 
 

Northwest Pennsylvania 

Lennie W., Tionesta, Forest County
Commonwealth Charter Academy
Charter schools allow my kids to excel at their own pace. Both of my children have skipped grades and are in honors. My son struggled with reading due to dyslexia but was able to keep up with his classmates and now is way above the norm. He still struggles with spelling, but with the ability to use technology to his advantage instead of struggling with paper and a pencil, he is able to learn so much more.

Andrew A., Meadville
Keystone Charter School
I currently teach at Keystone Charter School in Greenville, PA. I chose to teach here because I truly believe in school choice and believe in the effectiveness and importance of charter schools. It is important for every child to feel welcome and have the ability to obtain their education in a caring and safe setting. The relationships developed with students and parents are unforgettable. The impact we as teachers have on our students is immeasurable.

Nancy C., Warren
PA Cyber Charter School
For many reasons, my daughter was so stressed at her previous public junior middle school. It got to the point that the stress affected her attendance because she couldn't handle the pressure, and we were worried about the effect on her on a day-to-day basis. I contacted a friend whose son had started attending PA Cyber Charter School after also having problems at the same public middle school my daughter attended, and after starting at PA Cyber Charter School he is absolutely thriving and getting much better grades. The same can be said for my own daughter. Her attendance at PA Cyber Charter School has been perfect because she doesn't have the stresses she had at her previous public school, which disrupted her ability to concentrate on studying, getting her work done and doing the best to her ability. This school has made a tremendous difference in my daughter's life and in our family's life in such a positive way!

Margaret D., Erie
Charter schools bring opportunity to all students to succeed academically. There were no options of charter schools when I home-schooled my youngest son. He graduated from high school at a wonderful graduation for home-schoolers in June 2002. Back in 1999 when he was enrolled as a freshman in a local high school, he was not doing well. His experience was similar to many others who are ostracized for "not fitting in" with the one-size-fits-all classroom. I thank God that I had the opportunity, courage and support from other home-schooling friends to begin teaching him at home. Now, families have the choice to enroll their children in cyber charter schools. That opportunity must be expanded, not cut or limited by the governor.

Leon P., Corry
PA Cyber Charter School
Charter schools are better than traditional settings. The choices are vast, and the numbers speak for themselves. My children are getting a much better, well-rounded education now. The fact that they don't have to worry about the social pressuring and bullying is great. My kids learn so much more than they did in public schools. They can learn at their own pace, which is generally faster than other students in the class.

SOUTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA

 

Aubrey K., Aliquippa
Baden Academy, Baden
Having the option to send our daughters to a charter school has allowed our family to live within our means and still provide our children with a quality education in a safe school environment. We live in a school district where education is not valued. We found out that we could send our children to Baden Academy but still reside where we live. My daughter is in second grade and has been tested for IEP for speech and delayed development. Baden has provided extensive testing and one-on-one attention, along with a tailored curriculum. We know she is getting the help and support that she requires because a charter school offers these special touches in areas that a public school wouldn’t be able to provide. We are always thrilled with the staff and the curriculum and how wonderful it is to be able to drop your child off at a facility and know that they are rooting for your child to learn at their best levels and are safe as well. The charter school system has changed our lives for the better, and I solely support our school!

Melissa W., Belle Vernon 
Insight PA Cyber Charter School
Every student deserves a quality education, and not all students learn the same. Students have the right to choose an education that works for their learning needs.

Abbe C., Saltsburg
PA Cyber Charter School
PA Cyber has given my children opportunities they would have never received in a traditional school setting. All three of my children are in accelerated programs, and they’ve had the chance to have their studies enriched, accelerated and enhanced. My son, in particular, has been able to go at a pace that best suits his needs and has had support every step of the way. He is 12 years old and taking trigonometry, biology and Python programming. He is also several years ahead in English and social studies. Without PA Cyber, he’d be languishing in a classroom, and his full potential would have been stifled. We are forever thankful for our school!

Barbara M., Wexford
PA Virtual Charter School
Charter schools have provided a better experience for my grandson, who is on the autism spectrum. An at-home, supportive learning environment creates the space for him to receive an outstanding education and a chance to succeed in life.

Kevin C., Coal Center
Insight PA Cyber Charter School
The teachers are awesome, and the children are able to work at a pace that fits them. The ability to communicate with staff is so much better, and there aren't cliques and bullies to deal with.

Jamie T., East McKeesport
PA Cyber Charter School
PA Cyber has made it possible for my son to understand the assignments presented to him in a timely fashion. The teachers are wonderful, and his grades have improved tremendously. There's no more bullying or school safety concerns.

Steven F., Pittsburgh
Insight PA Cyber Charter School
Public charter school access means Pennsylvania families have an effective option to educate their children. As state chair of the Alliance Party and 2021 candidate for state Senate, I believe legislators must protect that right — especially since tax dollars are spent to support public education.

Kari H., Pittsburgh
Westinghouse Arts Academy Charter School, Wilmerding
Westinghouse Arts Academy Charter School is a dream come true for my daughter. She has honed her skills in musical theater, while being academically challenged and prepared for the world after high school. Fellow students have become friends that are like family, and in light of the country's current situation, I want to commend our school for their response. WAACS was able to immediately meet the needs of the students’ academic online education structure. Now, you might think, sure, academics are covered, but what about the arts? That was covered immediately, too. Online dance classes, creative writing challenges, online studio art classes and more. I implore each and every parent of a child interested in the arts to seriously evaluate their child's education and consider WAACS, as the progressive institution that fulfills your child's needs first and foremost, even in times of extraordinary circumstances, as only a charter school can do. If an artistic future is what you want, then this is the place for you!!

Autumn S., Pittsburgh
Propel Charter School, Braddock Hills 
Wilkinsburg School District is still low performance and lacks updated curriculum. Teachers are too caught up in dealing with behavioral issues and children lacking in an appreciation for their education. Their gifted education is seriously lacking as well.

NORTHCENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA 

Lori C., Berwick
PA Cyber Charter School
My son has struggled at school for a long time. It took us years to get our school district school to test him and get an IEP in place, and then they did not make teachers follow it.  He was bullied because of his Tourette’s, and the school didn't prevent it or discipline the students. We researched many schools before we settled on PA Cyber. My son loves this school, and I am so happy with the curriculum, the teachers and staff who help him understand math. Thank you for this wonderful school. I highly recommend looking into a cyber school if your child is having trouble with their school. I cannot say enough about the good I have seen since we switched.

Katie H., Bellefonte
PA Cyber Charter School
Charter schools give the opportunity for smaller classes and more one-on-one attention with less peer pressure.

Charlene T., Hyndman
Hope for Hyndman, Hyndman
I appreciate our school because I know our children have better educational opportunities here and will be taught values and right from wrong.

SOUTHCENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA 

Sharon H., Carlisle
Agora Cyber Charter School
All three of my children have done well in charter schools. My oldest graduated from 21st Century Cyber Charter School, another from Agora, and my youngest is finishing his sophomore year. The teachers are so caring and top-notch. They are always available. Our family coach, Rich Lipski, always reaches out and has been extremely helpful. There are abundant opportunities for extracurricular activities and socialization for students who desire them. I am a completely satisfied parent. My son is a junior at a four-year college, and my oldest daughter is in her freshman year at HACC. They are well adjusted, and I want other parents to have the same wonderful experiences as I have had with Agora.

Cheryl C., Dauphin County
Commonwealth Charter Academy
School choice gives my family the ability to schedule work and school to accommodate our needs as a family, both personal and professional. School choice should be an automatic right as parents. It is sad that my right to choose a school as a parent may be limited to only private schools that I cannot afford. Commonwealth Charter Academy has been a godsend in this time of health crisis and gun violence. Please do not take my right to choose away.

Jade J., Dillsburg 
Commonwealth Charter Academy 
We love the flexibility with charter schools; we love the opportunities offered, classes and the staff.

Howard S., Hanover
Reach Cyber Charter School
It allows us flexibility in planning our time, educational opportunities outside the home, able to advance at their speed and not be held back by slower students.

NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA 


Melissa Z., Nanticoke
PA Cyber Charter School
Charter schools mean the world to my son and me. Connor just turned 11, and we started PA Cyber last year. I had noticed that Connor was losing interest in even the subjects he liked at school. He was developing anxiety. His grades were still very good, but his mood was off. We decided to try a cyber school, and it was the best choice we ever made. He loves learning again, and his grades are fantastic. He is happy and energetic! Our school just really works for us!

Sandra B., Allentown
Agora Cyber Charter School
Charter schools give children with disabilities a chance to succeed without being bullied and scarred for life.

Irene C., Allentown
PA Cyber Charter School
Our cyber charter school provides a chance for our daughter to continue to reach her full potential as both a top athlete and excellent student while battling a debilitating neurological disorder. Because of the infinite flexibility in the timing of her studies, she is able to work around the disorder. Misophonia is a disorder where simple sounds or visual triggers, such as coughing, chewing, someone touching their face, clearing their throat, etc., causes an extreme fight-or-flight response 70+ times per day. Taking the time to react, reset and return to working takes its toll. Breaks, sleep and working out to create endorphins and dissipate the adrenaline are necessary. With a flexible schedule, 504 accommodations and working in conjunction with school and private counselors and doctors, as well as her coaches, we are able to ensure her growth and well-being, even through this adversity. She is a U.S. Figure Skating gold medalist and senior skater, in the top 3 percent nationally, while still achieving academically. Compare this to the average misophonia sufferer, with depression, anxiety and often suicidal, I cannot imagine where we’d be without our cyber school. The local school district’s online or brick-and-mortar education cannot compare to the support we’ve received from PA Cyber!

Sherri D., Coal Township
Agora Cyber Charter School
Our school has given my girls the freedom to learn at their own pace. We're able to spot where they are having trouble and address it when they are struggling.

Denise R., Effort
Agora Cyber Charter School
While our daughter was in regular school, she was bullied not only by kids but teachers that I trusted her with. She never said a thing because she was told if she said anything, she would never see her mommy and daddy ever again. My baby was scared. We knew nothing was going on until we moved to Pennsylvania, and one night at the dining room table she started telling her father what had happened. Both my husband and I were very angry, and that's when we decided that our daughter would always be safe, and we found a cyber charter school. No one should ever be scared or bullied ever. 

Sondra C., Hazleton
PA Virtual Charter School
I feel my daughter gets more technology knowledge with this school and better one-on-one, teacher-student times. Brandy really seems to feel more comfortable with this schooling. She has opened up a lot more, and it has strengthened our mother-daughter bond as well!

Odessa L., Northampton
Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School, Bethlehem
Charter schools mean freedom to give my child the very best education that is specifically tailored to meet his learning needs. It means smaller classrooms and teachers that flex to their students. It means that my child learns about things happening globally and learns to be kind and accept people of all backgrounds.

Michelle L., Stroudsburg
Commonwealth Charter Academy
We like the one-on-one teaching, and the teachers truly love and care for their students. They are absolutely awesome.

Kimberly Z., Whitehall
Commonwealth Charter Academy
Charter school gives us the ability to choose the best education for my student. It has provided a safe learning opportunity for my child with options not offered in our local public school. Teachers have been available and invested in helping my child succeed.

SOUTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA 

Erica B., Barto
Seven Generations Charter School, Emmaus
Charter schools mean smaller classrooms. Smaller classrooms mean greater teacher oversight and greater opportunities to learn without unnecessary social distractions that occur in other public schools. Charter schools mean a higher level of parent involvement and student care. Charter schools are personal. Our family really gets the sense that children are being taken care of mind, body and heart in charter schools.

Melanie L., Fleetwood
Circle of Seasons, Fogelsville
My charter school means improving our world for future children. Circle of Seasons gets right to the heart of our little people and what it means to be a human. My child is learning emotional, societal and environmental awareness, and I know they wouldn't be learning it otherwise. Also, I know that it takes a certain kind of person to teach at a school like ours and that they give so much more than the regular person. They are tirelessly dedicated. They have a whole person in mind. They have our future in mind. That's unfortunately rare and worth so much to our family.

Lynn G., Exeter Township
PA Virtual Charter School
PAVCS has given my husband and me a chance to be very involved with our six children's education. This school has let my kids work ahead and start college classes in 11th grade. The curriculum is individualized for each child. I love playing an active role in educating my children.

Michael F., Frackville
Gillingham Charter School, Pottsville
Gillingham creates an environment focused on learning and how to treat and respect others.

Lois H., Garnet Valley
Renaissance Charter
Charter schools give children an education where teachers are dedicated to teach and not just be a part of a union.

Beryl R., Malvern
PA Virtual Charter School
Our family has been with PA Virtual since the 2011-12 school year. At that time, we had one child at PA Virtual. We now have three children: Derek in eighth grade, Madeline in fourth grade and Lylah in first grade. We made the choice to use PAVCS for our youngest son after putting four older children through the traditional brick-and-mortar public school. Each of our older children had different learning styles, and we found that many of the public school's programs and teaching plans were not well tailored for our children's needs and learning styles. When it came time for our fifth child, Derek, to attend school, it was frightening to consider brick and mortar for academic excellence. It has been the best decision for him and for us, as parents. Derek and Madeline are on target scholastically and above grade level academically. However, we just enrolled Lylah this March after a teacher/parent conference and found that she was very below grade level. With the support of PAVCS, I have been able to go back and do some lower-grade-level courses with her and within the last two weeks she is progressing very well. The staff and administration are all very supportive and interested in your comments, concerns and academic success. We also enjoy the flexibility it gives us to do other activities. Also, with the impact of the coronavirus and the schools closing, we were not impacted and were able to continue our education. The traditional schools were not prepared to continue education virtually, and the schools that have started virtual education aren't able to offer the virtual education we experience daily.

Shimera B., Philadelphia
Agora Cyber Charter School
Charter schools mean everything to me. My child has become so much more into school since she started charter school; she feels comfortable with talking to her teachers and other classmates now. When in public school, she felt like she couldn’t. I believe charter school taught her so many new things that she would not have gotten with public school. I love charter school, and I would recommend it to every parent.

Almeta D., Philadelphia
Agora Cyber Charter School
Charter schools offer a safe and effective way to get education for children when families experience dilemmas in financial, health and household changing situations.

Diana M., Philadelphia
PA Virtual Charter School
My son suffers from anxiety disorder. He has been doing much better since he started at PA Virtual Charter School. His grades and confidence have increased. There was bullying in his Philadelphia public school, though there was supposed to be a no-bullying policy. Also, they could not accommodate his anxiety disorder. I feel safe knowing my son is attending this school.

Shirley D., Philadelphia
Franklin Towne Charter School, Philadelphia
Our charter school provides a great education to a college-bound team player.

Hazel M., Philadelphia
Agora Cyber Charter School
I have numerous children. Three attend Agora Cyber Charter School, and one is at our neighborhood brick-and-mortar high school. I understand this setting is not for all children. If I would have known about cyber school, none of my children would have attended our local brick-and-mortar schools. The education that is provided to my children — I couldn't ask for better. The teachers always like to help and encourage my children to their highest potential.

Jessica S., Philadelphia
Christopher Columbus Charter School, Philadelphia
My daughter Maddie is 5 years old and will be attending Christopher Columbus Charter School in September. We toured our local public school and thought highly of the principal; however, we had concerns about resources, class size and safety. We planned to enroll our daughter at a Catholic/private school. However, our daughter ended up getting a spot at CCCS and I also lost my job due to the pandemic. We can no longer afford the private school, and the charter provides us an alternative.

Johanna F., Phoenixville
Agora Cyber Charter School
It means my child can get more support from teachers. It means my child can be able to learn in the method that will enable him to achieve his best. My child's teachers know that not every child learns the same way, and extra help is given if my child fails or does poorly on a test. They know it means he didn't get the information taught. They will go back over information and figure out why he didn't do well on the test. They will figure out the best method for him to study or how to teach him. They truly want my child to succeed. I had one son graduate from Agora (2013) with straight A’s and perfect attendance. His girlfriend and mother of his child also graduated from Agora. Agora is a school where my child will be safe and not taught material that I don't feel is important for our family values. It is my child, my choice, and I choose cyber education.

Karen K., Phoenixville
Renaissance Academy Charter School, Philadelphia
Charter schools offer a choice to parents whose child may need a more personalized classroom.

Theodore G., Reading
Connections Charter Academy
Educational choice for parents may become the civil rights issue of our time. My daughter was very successful with Connections Charter Academy. We were pleased with the rigorous instruction. Every class she had featured great teachers, exciting technology and "bell-to-bell" instruction — no wasted time!

Rajy M., Schwenksville
Souderton Charter School, Souderton
Highly attentive teachers and environment that enables accelerated learning and child development.

Victoria V., Souderton
Souderton Charter School, Souderton
This school means a better future for my daughter. She is receiving the best education, and all of the staff are very supportive and hands-on with her learning.

Melissa M., Upper Darby
Agora Cyber Charter School
Cyber charter school means the world to our family. They give my daughter the opportunity to go at her own pace. They also let the students have their individual learning path.

Kimberly C., West Chester
Collegium Charter School, Exton
Charter schools provide educational options to parents and students who are seeking a better education than that which their home district provides. Charter schools force healthy competition among districts and charters that can lead to better fiscal management and educational innovation — both in and out of the classroom. I am also proud to be an employee of a charter school that works tirelessly to ensure our students get the best education possible.