The Cyber Elementary School Day at PALCS

At PALCS, the Elementary school requires students to attend live virtual lessons in: English Language Arts and Mathematics, as scheduled by the homeroom teacher. Teachers also offer ways for students to engage with peers with Morning Meetings, Science and Social Studies, and What I Need (WIN) virtual lessons. All students will receive the required Pennsylvania Department of Education’s curriculum for their grade level as it is embedded within our core subjects.

During these lessons, students can talk to their teachers and other students while the teacher covers the lesson in real-time! However, students are expected to be live for a minimum number of lessons each week.

Upon enrollment, teachers contact families to schedule the live mandatory lessons. Students who require more intensive instruction in reading and/or math will receive additional real-time instruction with a reading or math interventionist. Lessons will be hosted by your teacher, using a headset and webcam, and are open to all students in the course.

Virtual lessons typically last 30-60 minutes, depending on grade level. WIN (What I Need) sessions will occur in addition to virtual lessons to provide intervention or enrichment based on individual student needs and exit tickets.

PALCS elementary school counselors each maintain a non-academic course where families can access supplemental monthly lessons that explore topics like positive character traits, study skills, bullying, careers, and friendship. Guidance resources for parents and students are also posted in this course.

Core Classes

All elementary students will be part of a mixed-performance, heterogeneous class at their grade level. Within each course, students will be grouped according to their performance level for online lessons, live virtual lessons, and personalized intervention or enrichment. Grouping students allows us to target curriculum, instruction, and assessment for students throughout the year. We use multiple measures throughout the academic school year to group students. Students may move from one group to another based upon their learning needs and growth during the school year.

We believe in a well-rounded curriculum that includes creative study and foreign language. Every student is required to take physical education and choose at least one additional elective. Each elective course posts one lesson per week and requires students to attend a weekly live lesson with the teacher or watch a live lesson recording. Attendance at the live lesson is highly encouraged.

Elective Classes

The elementary Health, Safety and Physical Education course is required for all students in grades K-5. Students will receive live virtual instruction and be responsible for completing posted assignments in the areas of health education topics. Additionally, students in grades K-5 will receive live virtual interactive instruction to meet the physical education standards.

K-5 students can attend any of our extracurricular virtual field trips or open chats. In our offices, all elementary students are able to participate in a virtual Elementary Connect program each month: Book Buddies and Got Science.

Around the state, families are welcome to attend any of the numerous field trips. Enrolled students should check the monthly emailed Elementary School Newsletter or PALCSchool for up-to-date field trips, event listings, and contact information for these activities.

Advanced Coursework

We challenge our advanced students through rigorous coursework and small group virtual lessons. Students who are identified as advanced in reading and/or math are assigned lessons that meet their learning needs within their grade level classes. PALCS honors all students who enroll with documented successful completion of advanced coursework. Our academic team works closely with each family to ensure students are challenged and placed in appropriate courses for optimal social and emotional development and academic achievement. PALCS also offers unique electives to students interested in design, science, and technology.

Supplemental Help

Students who require and qualify for more intensive instruction in reading and/or math will receive additional real-time instruction with a reading or math interventionist.

Special Education

Special Education services are available for PALCS students. Accommodations are highly individualized on a student-by-student basis.

For detailed information on the Elementary School curriculum at PALCS, we invite you to download and explore our interactive Curriculum Map. This document outlines the many classes and subjects that students explore as part of a PALCS elementary school education.