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General Staff Curriculum Student Success Placement & Scheduling Technology Enrollment Misc. Is my local district's cyber school my only option?
Despite what your school district may be telling you, this is not true. As a resident of Pennsylvania, it is your right to choose whichever school you feel is best for you and your family. In accordance with this, it is also your home school district's responsibility to facilitate that education - whether it is with them, or with any other public school in Pennsylvania. If you have questions regarding this, please feel free to call us. What is 21CCCS?
21CCCS is a diploma-granting, asynchronous, online school, chartered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, serving Pennsylvania students in grades 6 through 12. Who can attend 21CCCS?
Any student in grades 6-12 who is a resident of Pennsylvania and under the age of 21 may enroll in 21CCCS. What does it cost to attend 21CCCS?
There is no fee to attend. The tuition is paid for with a portion of the tax dollars from each student’s home district. What does asynchronous mean?
Asynchronous means that students may complete their studies on a schedule that fits their needs. Classes are available 24/7, and students may submit their any work anytime during the week. Teachers are available both days and evenings to work with students and parents. How does cyber school work?
Students login to their classes, submit their work, and contact their teachers, all over the Internet using a school issued computer. Students can attend school from any location with an Internet or phone connection. Who founded and operates 21CCCS?
21CCCS was founded in 2001 by 64 school districts that saw a need for cyber school, and wanted a school they could ensure offered the highest quality curriculum. 8 superintendents represent these 64 districts on our Board, and they along with the Executive Directors of the Intermediate Units of Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties and a parent, help guide our school. The school is chartered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. What distinguishes the 21CCCS from other cyber charter schools?
Our greatest distinction is our academic record of achievement. 21CCCS has made AYP 6 out the past 7 years. Research and compare scores at http://paayp.emetric.net/. We are the ONLY cyber charter able to make that claim. If you want to be a part of our AMAZING school, please click here for more information. We attribute this performance to our highly qualified teachers, our frequent communication with families, and the curriculum our teachers have developed for our school based on Pennsylvania standards. Are there live classes?
Yes. Each 21CCCS class meets as a group once a week in a “virtual classroom”, which also serve as teacher’s “Virtual Offices”. Interacting by voice and text, users can participate in group discussions, work out math problems, and share artwork and music. Group sessions are recorded, so students can review them as desired. How do students get help from their teachers?
Students have a variety of ways to communicate with their teachers. The most popular way is in a Virtual Office, but they may also communicate by phone or using their school email account. Students choose which method they are most comfortable with. Why do students attend 21CCCS?
Students attend 21CCCS for a variety of reasons, most of which relate to needs their current school can’t meet. Students pursuing other interests (for example athletics, dance, music) may travel frequently, or may need a flexible, non-traditional schedule. Some students attend for medical or social issues, or because they don’t want to deal with issues such as bullying. They may want to accelerate their education, which scheduling conflicts in traditional settings may hamper. Many are average students that don’t want to wait for the rest of the kids that are not focused on learning. Are there clubs and field trips, and is there a graduation ceremony?
We have a number of clubs and activities students may participate in, such as National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society, Middle and High School Literary Magazines, Yearbook Club, Chess Club, Drama Club, Photography Club, Investment Club, Ultimate Cyber Challenge, and the Real World Navy Challenge. We have monthly field trips at various locations around Pennsylvania, enabling students, parents and teachers to become acquainted in person. Our graduation ceremony is held in June, complete with caps and gowns. How can we compare your school to others?
You can find information on a number of independent websites, and you can compare the performance of the PA cyber schools at http://paayp.emetric.net/ Can students take college courses while attending 21CCCS?
Students in 11th and 12th grades with a GPA of 3.0 or better may qualify to take courses at their local college. Guidance pre-approval is required, and the student must take at least two 21CCCS classes per semester. 21CCCS will reimburse up to $650 per course for core subject courses. Is 21CCCS year round?
No, we follow a traditional school calendar, with most of the holidays your local school observes (although exact days may vary). Since there are no snow days in cyber school, the last day of school does not vary from the schedule. To view the current school year calendar click here. How will my child socialize at 21CCCS?
We provide a variety of means of socialization for those students desiring such. We have monthly field trips, where students can meet each other and their teachers. Virtual classrooms allow students to collaborate on class projects, and teachers often allow students to chat before and after class. Clubs and Middle School homerooms offer additional opportunities for socialization, as does email. How do you get ideas to improve the school?
We do a lot of surveys of our students and parents, and we listen. Students participate in course surveys twice each course, we survey parents and graduates, and we conduct focus groups with families. The ideas and feedback these provide help us to improve our services to students and parents. Who teaches 21CCCS classes?
All 21CCCS classes are taught by highly qualified teachers, who are all Pennsylvania certified in their subject area. Teachers are full-time, and work from our office in Chester County. They work together closely, allowing them to collaborate and share their ideas and successes. Each core subject area has a special education certified teacher, who work with teachers and a gifted instructor to individualize curriculum to meet specific student needs. Does 21CCCS have Guidance Counselors?
Yes, 21CCCS has experienced guidance counselors who assist with scheduling, preparing students for college, and helping students with personal issues. Does 21CCCS provide technical support?
Yes, the 21CCCS technical support staff provides hardware and software support for students. Their job is to ensure that students have everything they need to complete their work. What is a Teaching Assistant?
Teaching Assistants help teachers contact students, foster communication, and along with teachers help ensure student success. What curriculum does 21CCCS use?
21CCCS core curriculum was developed by our Pennsylvania certified, highly qualified, teachers based upon the Pennsylvania standards, just as they did when they taught in a traditional classroom. This allows teachers to individualize the curriculum for students' varying abilities and learning styles. Classes are available in a variety of ability levels, including honors, gifted, college-prep, and anchors. AP courses are offered through selected providers, and qualifying students may take college courses through their local college. Can my child work at his or her own pace?
Yes, the flexibility of our setting allows students to work at their own pace. All assignments are available from the first day of class, and we encourage our students to work ahead. How much time will my child spend doing school work?
Students typically spend five to six hours, five days a week completing their work. This can vary due to a student’s abilities in a particular subject. Students are not limited in the amount of time they can spend on an assignment. How is physical education (P.E.) taught online?
Classes are a combination of physical activities and academic work. They help students learn and develop healthy life long habits, and together they develop a fitness program that meets each student’s needs. We provide fitness equipment such as jump ropes, pedometers, and exercise balls, and students submit weekly logs of their activities. My child (is a gymnast/dancer/Olympian, or takes Karate/riding lessons etc.), can they get P.E. credit for this activity?
In most cases, the portion of direct instruction that is taught by a certified instructor can be applied toward course requirements. This by pre-approved by Guidance, and the instructor must complete weekly logs that must be submitted to the P.E. teacher. How are students prepared for success?
All students complete an Orientation class the first week of school, which teaches them how to use the computer and software, work in their classes, participate in live sessions, contact their teachers, and communicate effectively online. This ensures all students have the tools and knowledge they need to succeed. What does my child need in order to succeed at 21CCCS?
The single most important attribute for student success is motivation. If a student wants to succeed in school, with the help of our staff they will. Students also need other skills, such as organizational, communication, literacy and computer skills, but these can be taught to a motivated student. Involved and supportive parents are also important to student success. Does a teacher grade my child’s work, or the computer?
One benefit of cyber school is that teachers do not spend all day instructing groups of students. Instead, they spend their time working with students, and providing students with meaningful feedback on assignments. Of course, some things are graded by the computer, such as true/false or matching questions, but all of a student's writing is graded by their teacher. Can I view my child’s progress and activity in classes?
Student grades are available to parents anytime by simply logging into their child's classes. Parents can see which assignments have been completed, when they were submitted, assignment grades, and teacher feedback. Parents can also see a complete log of their child's activities in a class. Does 21CCCS send home report cards?
Yes. Progress reports are mailed home every three weeks to keep parents informed of their child's progress. What is a Mastery environment?
Our goal is for every child to achieve mastery, defined as earning an 80% or better. If a student has not demonstrated mastery of a concept, they may be encouraged to study the material further, work with their teacher, and retake a (similar) quiz or rewrite their paper. How will I know if my child is not progressing in their classes?
If your child is not progressing in a class as expected, the teacher will contact you to discuss it. You'll also see any lack of progress on your child's progress report. Does 21CCCS administer any standardized tests?
Yes. In addition to the state mandated PSSA tests each year, 21CCCS students participate in numerous standardized tests through the year. These tests can measure academic progress and identify weaknesses that need to be addressed. What colleges and universities have 21CCCS students attended?
21st Century Cyber Charter School students have been accepted to many fine colleges, universities, and other schools, to see a list click here What percentage of 21cccs students go on to college?
Over the past four years an average of 83% of our graduates went on to attend college. Click here to see some of the esteemed colleges and universities our students have been accepted to. How are students placed in 21st Century Cyber Charter School?
Students are placed based upon their prior three years academic records. New students are closely monitored the first two weeks to ensure they are in appropriate classes. Will my child’s credits transfer to 21CCCS?
Yes, credits your child has earned in any public, private or parochial school, including home school will transfer to 21CCCS, provided they fall into the Pennsylvania Department of Educations guidelines. What are 21CCCS graduation requirements?
Students must earn a minimum of 23 credits to meet graduation requirements, including the following: 4 English credits
4 Math credits
4 Science credits
4 Social Studies credits (including a government or civics course)
2 Electives credits
2 Arts & Humanities credits (art, music or foreign language courses)
2 Health & PE credits
1 Graduation Requirement credit (Graduation Project and a career exploration course) 21CCCS also requires that students score Proficient or Advanced on the 11th grade Math, Reading and Writing PSSA tests. Students who score Basic or Below Basic will be required to demonstrate proficiency on an alternate PSSA assessment. Our Guidance Counselors are always happy to review a transcript to ensure that families will know exactly what is required of a student to graduate. What kind of computer equipment is provided?
Students are issued Apple laptops, which are equipped with all necessary software, a wireless card, built-in microphone and CD/DVD drive. We also provide other hardware such as digital cameras or graphic tablets when needed for classes. In homes with high speed Internet and more than one child attending our school, we can provide a router to share the Internet connection All hardware is provided on a $1.00 annual lease, enabling them to covered by your insurance. Parents are responsible for all materials issued for their children. Does 21CCCS provide Internet access, and what type of access is needed?
We recommend high speed Internet (cable, FIOS, DSL, satellite) where available. Families can subscribe to Internet service, and 21CCCS will reimburse (up to $75 per month) the cost of the service during the school year. For families that don’t have Internet service, 21CCCS can provide a dialup Internet account free of charge for school use. Must my child use the school issued computer?
We strongly recommend students use the school issued computer, since it has all the software they need, and is configured specifically for their course work. Tech Support will only help resolve issues with school issued computers. Does 21CCCS provide technical support?
Yes, 21CCCS has a Technical Support team whose job is to ensure that technical issues do not prevent students from completing their work. The team is available five days a week from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Remote control software is used to diagnose and fix problems, just as if the technician was sitting at the computer. In addition to personal help, the team maintains a support website with answers to common issues, which often enables students to solve their problems themselves, immediately. What if the school computer breaks?
Technical support keeps a supply of computers ready to ship. If a student has a problem Tech cannot fix quickly, a replacement computer will be sent to the student overnight. Do 21CCCS computers have censoring or blocking software?
Yes, school computers have software that prevents the computer from visiting most inappropriate websites. The software also tracks all of the sites the computer has visited. How do I enroll my child?
To enroll a student in 21CCCS, visit the Join Us section of our website, or call us for a paper form. Do I need the approval of my school district to enroll my child?
No, 21CCCS is a school of choice. As long as your child is entitled to attend your local school, they may attend 21CCCS. When can I enroll my child in 21CCCS?
Enrollment periods correspond to start dates, which are typically at the beginning (Aug.-Sept.) and mid-year (Jan.) of the school year. Enrollment opens in March for the following school year, and in November for the mid-year start. Can students go to Vo-Tech while attending 21CCCS?
Unfortunately no, Pennsylvania law does not allow a student to be enrolled in both a Vo-Tech program and a charter school. Can students participate in extracurricular activities at their local school?
Pennsylvania law allows cyber charter students to participate in activities that take place outside of the normal school day. So, marching band is usually allowed, but concert band is not. Schools can make participation difficult if they want, particularly if you have a poor relationship with them. What responsibilities do parents have?
First, be sure an online school is an environment your child will succeed in and wants to be in. Unmotivated students rarely succeed in cyber school. Show an interest in your child’s work, and let them know how important education is. Know how they are doing in their classes. Make sure they have an appropriate study area. Talk to your child’s teachers, and let them know the best way to contact you. Our experience is that the more communication our teachers have with students and parents, the more successful the students are. Ensure your child attends PSSA testing. Students in grades 6, 7, 8 and 11 are required to take a series of tests each spring. Families can select a 21CCCS site, or choose to test at their local school. Check your school email account often. As a cyber school very few things are printed and mailed to you; rather they are posted to email. Do I ever have to come to your office?
Rarely, but there are circumstances when families would be required to come to our office. An example would be a parent-teacher conference for a student who is having academic problems the teachers have been unable to resolve. Home
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