Online Middle School for Students at PALCS

Not all children thrive in a traditional academic setting. If your middle-schooler is one of these, check out the online middle school program offered by Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School. We serve students throughout the state of PA and provide a variety of unique educational opportunities.

We Offer the Education Individual Students Need

Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School is a state-approved cyber charter school that serves students in kindergarten through the 12th grade. We have a firm understanding of state educational standards but recognize that each student’s journey to reach them is different.

Middle-school students may have a hard time with academics or become bored with the material they are asked to study, or they may struggle with some subjects while excelling in others. We offer a variety of educational options, including:

Advanced coursework
Supplemental assistance
Special education
Guidance counseling
Academic recovery programs

We employ highly qualified and accredited teachers to teach all of our courses with posted lessons, live virtual classes, and tutoring sessions. All of our staff are willing to work with students in small groups or one-on-one to provide the assistance they need to be successful in their learning.

We Provide a Safe and Encouraging Learning Environment

Our education system is ideal for students who need or want an alternative to a traditional brick-and-mortar school. We allow students to progress at the pace that they need to, differentiating instruction for all of our learners. And not only do we help students academically, but also we provide opportunities to develop crucial social skills as students interact with teachers, support staff, and other students.

Our unique online format is mixed with opportunities to meet with teachers and other students face-to-face through office hours, clubs, and structured educational activities. This system bypasses school bullying and allows students who may have anxieties or different responses to social situations feel safe and comfortable.

To learn more about our online middle school curriculum and the environment at Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School, watch the video or read our supplementary information below. You can also contact us to learn more.

Introduction

Middle school serves as a transitional time for students. As such, at the PALCS Middle School, we strive to:

Provide a nurturing environment for developing young adults through patience and understanding and promote self-value, cooperation, positive attitudes and tolerance.
Foster the budding interests of our students by offering expanded elective choices and academic pacing options.
Emphasize core knowledge by providing students with a solid academic base for future educational challenges in high school and beyond.

Structure

Core Structure

Middle school students are required to complete the of language arts, math, science and social studies each year in grades 6, 7 and 8. are available for core subjects.

Students will be placed into math and language arts sections based upon data compiled from test scores, teacher observation, classroom participation, and overall achievement within their prior course. Each section will be developed for students placed in appropriate tiers. Tier 1 students will be provided on-grade level course content along side of resources to help individualize student instruction tailored to their needs. Tier 2 students will have instruction that focuses on reinforcement as well as on-grade level course content. The Tier 3 students will be placed into a course that delves into further reinforcement of basic foundation skills. This course gives students the opportunity to work through and expand on skills that have been a challenge to master. Tier 3 also provides resources to individualize instruction for students.

Elective Structure

Students have the opportunity to choose from a variety of in the subjects of arts & humanities, business & technology, health, safety & PE, world languages and leadership. Elective course information may be found in the Middle School Electives section of this catalog. A physical education course is required in 6th grade, a health course is required in 8th grade, and all other elective schedules in grades 6-8 will be individualized to student interests and needs. Please contact your Counselor with questions about middle school electives.

Interaction

Virtual Lessons, Office Hours & Homework Help

Every middle school course offers at least one live each week. The lesson will be hosted by your teacher, using a headset and webcam, and is open to all students in the course. Many middle school virtual lessons have optional attendance, though students may be required to attend virtual lessons based on the course subject and student performance. Virtual lessons last 45 minutes to an hour and take place on a set weekly schedule.

Teachers also host Office Hours during standard business hours, where they will be present in a virtual classroom at a scheduled time and be available to assist students with any assignment questions on an as-needed basis. PALCS offers online Homework Help after standard business hours, Sunday through Thursday nights, from 6 pm to 8 pm. Students may log in as needed and speak with a PALCS teacher.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Middle school students can attend any of our open chats or online activities. In our offices, students are able to participate in the monthly Middle School Connect program that alternates themes around science, math, art and socialization games. Around the state, families are welcome to attend any of the numerous hosted by our teachers and parent network coordinators. Further information on activities can be found at Student Activities, and enrolled students should check the for up-to-date field trips, event listings and contact information for these activities.

Academic Programs

The University Scholars Program and the Center for Performing and Fine Arts are available to students 6th grade and up.

PALCS middle school guidance counselors each maintain a non-academic course where families can access supplemental monthly lessons that explore topics like study skills, time management, career awareness, transition to high school, positive character traits, bullying, and friendship. Guidance resources for parents and students are also posted in this course.

Accommodations

Advanced Coursework

Within , advanced options are available. These advanced options are designed to take students deeper into the content and will be designated as an Advanced Language Arts, Advanced Science or Advanced Social Studies class. Math classes may be designated as Advanced or specialized into a course such as Algebra I. To be eligible for advanced courses, students must have strong academics, strong test scores, and teacher recommendation.

Supplemental Assistance

Students who need additional, intensive practice in Reading and/or Math will be placed into the Voyages through Reading and/or Voyages through Math program. These students are identified through multiple measures of classroom performance. Courses for each grade level are structured the same, but tailored to specific grade level content. These programs will also provide additional live, small group virtual lesson instruction tailored to the student’s needs.

Voyages Through Math is a math intervention course. The course uses the program TransMath. It focuses on key foundational skill building, number sense, and problem-solving experiences. Voyages Through Math follows entrance and exit criteria which include PSSA scores, CDT scores, benchmark assessments, grades in Math, and teacher input. This course takes the place of an elective course.

Voyages through Reading is a reading intervention course. The course uses the Language! Live program and focuses on fluency, comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, and writing. Voyages Through Reading follows entrance and exit criteria which include PSSA scores, CDT scores, iReady scores, benchmark assessments, or other assessments, grades in Language Arts, and teacher input. Voyages Through Reading will take the place of an elective course.

Special Education

Special Education services are available for students. Accommodations are highly individualized on a student-by-student basis. More information is available on the PALCS Special Education page.

Guidance

The Guidance Department at PA Leadership provides students with developmental, educational, preventative and responsive services, while encouraging and supporting learning and achievement. Our comprehensive guidance department is fully staffed with a counselor for each grade level to better serve the needs of our families. More information is available on the PALCS Guidance page.