USP Community Building Day

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USP Community Building Day

On Saturday, November 17, 2017, the University Scholars Program (USP) held their 10th annual Community Building Day at the Advanced Ideas Center (AIC) in West Chester, PA.

USP students and their families were invited to the AIC building as a way to bring the entire USP community together to participate in a day filled with educational and social activities.

The day began with the 3rd annual Career Fair, where representatives from various professions were available to speak with students and answer some of their questions. Then came the “Turkey Trot” that occurred around the AIC building, followed by a Thanksgiving-themed feast, which was put on by the USP parents for all their students and staff.

The USP Interact Activity Group collected food for the Chester County Food Bank while the National Honor Society held a coat collection. Parent-teacher conferences also took place during the day. To close out the 10th annual USP Community Building Day, the Drama Activity Group held their annual Improv Night.

USP is an honors college-preparatory program within the PA Leadership Charter School. This program offers specialized accelerated education curriculum to students in grades 6-12 through two methods: an on-site/online blended program in West Chester, Pennsylvania, or a complete virtual program for statewide students. Our program is designed to maximize the intellectual potential for high-achieving and motivated learners and to support and value each student’s personal and academic achievements. The USP program will start accepting applications for the 2018-2019 school year on January 2, 2018.

Congratulations to the USP community on another wonderful Community Building Day, all of which would not have been possible without the help of staff, students and their amazing families!

By PALCS Information Team|2024-07-24T01:43:55-04:00December 1st, 2017|Categories: National Honor Society, Latest News, Student Spotlight, USP News|Tags: volunteering, activities|

About the Author: PALCS Information Team

The Information Team: This team manages the content on this blog, which provides interesting content related to our school and education at large. The information team also help prospective families on their journey to enrollment.

Students receive classroom materials on a year-to-year basis, but keep their school computer as long as they are enrolled in the school.
PALCS uses a variety of materials from many different publishers: both physical and virtual textbooks, novels, workbooks and/or other types of supplemental content such as websites and educational programs.
Our students are active in community sports, participate on local school district teams, and some even play at the semi-pro level!
Students get personalized feedback on assignments.
PALCS focuses on weekly flexibility. Students can generally work one-to-two weeks ahead in their courses.
In 2018, 93 students took 162 AP exams with an average score of 3.9. 87% of these students obtained a score of 3 or higher.
The guidance department at PALCS offers access to Career Cruising, a website that helps students explore career possibilities.
In addition to teachers, PALCS families have access to dedicated guidance counselors and dozens of student services support staff. Help is always just a call or click away!
PALCS offers a Tier 1 public school diploma that is recognized as equal to a traditional brick-and-mortar school by the PA Department of Education and all post-secondary schools. Graduates have the same opportunities as other high school graduates, if not better, as cyber school students can focus on education and learn important self-motivation skills.
Students have the opportunity to travel internationally, often for elective credit. Previous travel opportunities have included Costa Rica, Canada, China and Panama.
Students can read and contribute to PA Leadership’s award-winning online student newspaper, “The Talon”, which is edited by students in our Journalism course. PALCS Student Government also produces a newsletter, “The Observer”.
Students who are struggling academically receive help from a PALCS Academic Advisor, who will assist students with organization and scheduling, will facilitate communication and will provide additional support.
Students can reach out to their teachers at any time through many outlets: phone, email, instant message, or chat.
PALCS provides computer programs and websites to complete virtual labs for science courses.
PALCS offers the University Scholars Program for gifted and motivated learners. The blended on-site and virtual program offers honors and AP courses to accepted students, though any PALCS student may take up to two AP courses through University Scholars.
Students do complete physical education in cyber school. Classes teach students the importance of incorporating a regular fitness routine into their daily lives and include many instructional videos.
Students in our art classes receive an art kit with a variety of materials such as paint and clay. Painted or drawn pictures can be scanned into the computer via the provided printer/copier/scanner. Students can use their provided webcam to take a picture of sculptures and models.
While equipment is provided, PALCS families can access school from any device with an Internet connection.
Students occasionally choose to mail finished projects to their teachers: we proudly display student artwork in our offices and learning centers!
PALCS has a yearly commencement in Lancaster for all graduates and families who wish to attend.
Our internal IT Help Desk is just a phone call away during business hours for technology assistance. We have trainings and tutorials available on-demand.
Attendance is tracked by logging in on school days, Monday – Friday.
PALCS students can go on many educational, science-related field trips. We’ve gone to Physics Days at Hersheypark and Kennywood, SciTech Days at the Carnegie Science Center, the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Zoos and more!
Students enrolled in PALCS participate in their communities and pursue fantastic interests. We have published novelists, junior firefighters, app developers, notable athletes, and performers of both stage and screen.
The PALCS Mascot is the Eagle and the school colors are blue and yellow.
PALCS has an active Student Government. Students can run for office and participate in committees that spearhead projects, events and fundraisers. Student Government also builds leadership skills and offers unique retreats and field trips.
All PALCS students receive a laptop computer with a webcam, headset microphone, and a printer/copier/scanner. The computer automatically downloads required programs and updates and is filtered for school use.
PALCS has an award-winning Robotics team, placing in both the First Lego League and the First Tech Challenge.
After high school, 79% of the PALCS Class of 2018 chose to further their education with post-secondary school. 18% entered directly into the work force, and 2% entered the military.
The PALCS University Scholars Program has a Mock Trial team that has consistently performed well at both county and district levels.
PALCS supports students from day one with a face-to-face orientation. Families are then guided through an Introduction to Online Learning course as they settle into cyber school.
There are a 368 courses available at PALCS. 49 courses are offered to to elementary students, 43 to middle school, and 56 core courses and 101 electives to high school students. For middle and high school students, the University Scholars Program adds an additional 42 courses and the Center for Performing and Fine Arts adds 77.
The PALCS University Scholars Program hosts two National Academic Quiz Tournament teams that compete and perform well at the national tournament level. A PALCS student was named to the 2016 Pennsylvania National All-Star Scholastic Tournament team.
PALCS students are initiated into the National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society each year in a blended on-site/virtual ceremony.
PALCS Center for Performing and Fine Arts students regularly participate in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District Orchestra Festival.
Students have participated in the Hour of Code and have developed apps for Google Chrome and various code snippets. For creative gamers, PALCS hosts its own server for students to participate in Minecraft Club.
PALCS offers Homework Help in the evenings. Students can receive live help from a PALCS teacher in the virtual classroom.
PALCS opened its digital doors on September 13, 2004. Over 2000 young adults have graduated from PALCS since the school opened.
PALCS has an in-house video production studio so teachers can make dynamic videos for their lessons.
Over 150 highly qualified teachers work at PALCS. Teachers work from one of our offices, in either West Chester or Pittsburgh.
PALCS students perform better on standardized testing. In 2018, our students received an average SAT score of 1166 and an average ACT score of 26.1. State averages: 1073 for SAT and 23.7 for ACT.
PALCS graduates have gone on to a range of careers, including becoming teachers, medical professionals, engineers, performing artists, athletes, and officers in the military.
PALCS faculty and staff participate and encourage students to get involved in various volunteer and community service projects throughout the year. The school participates in regular clothing drives, food drives, and fundraisers.
After orientation, the only required travel for students is to complete state-mandated PSSA or Keystone testing, depending on grade level. PALCS has numerous testing facilities throughout the state, making it as convenient as possible for students to attend. PALCS teachers proctor the test so students can meet teachers and other students in their area.
Parents can get involved by joining the monthly Parent Advisory Board. The board meets with the principal monthly to provide feedback and school improvement suggestions.
PALCS students can start exposure to a foreign language as young as Kindergarten!
The PALCS Network is an online social community and resource for PALCS families to connect with other parents and students. We have optional activities and field trips around the state to keep students engaged and active!
Talented PALCS students have performed on many stages and have been heard on the radio across the state. Students have even performed at prestigious Carnegie Hall and on Broadway in New York City.
According to state law, cyber school students may continue to participate in extra-curricular activities and sports through their local schools.
PALCS graduates have attended schools ranging from small private colleges such as Grove City, Washington and Jefferson, Allegheny, Messiah and LaSalle; major state universities like Penn State, Pitt, Temple and Drexel; and Ivy League schools like Princeton, Harvard and Yale.

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About the Author: PALCS Information Team

Students receive classroom materials on a year-to-year basis, but keep their school computer as long as they are enrolled in the school.

PALCS uses a variety of materials from many different publishers: both physical and virtual textbooks, novels, workbooks and/or other types of supplemental content such as websites and educational programs.

Our students are active in community sports, participate on local school district teams, and some even play at the semi-pro level!

Students get personalized feedback on assignments.

PALCS focuses on weekly flexibility. Students can generally work one-to-two weeks ahead in their courses.

In 2018, 93 students took 162 AP exams with an average score of 3.9. 87% of these students obtained a score of 3 or higher.

The guidance department at PALCS offers access to Career Cruising, a website that helps students explore career possibilities.

In addition to teachers, PALCS families have access to dedicated guidance counselors and dozens of student services support staff. Help is always just a call or click away!

Students have the opportunity to travel internationally, often for elective credit. Previous travel opportunities have included Costa Rica, Canada, China and Panama.

Students can read and contribute to PA Leadership’s award-winning online student newspaper, “The Talon”, which is edited by students in our Journalism course. PALCS Student Government also produces a newsletter, “The Observer”.

Students who are struggling academically receive help from a PALCS Academic Advisor, who will assist students with organization and scheduling, will facilitate communication and will provide additional support.

Students can reach out to their teachers at any time through many outlets: phone, email, instant message, or chat.

PALCS provides computer programs and websites to complete virtual labs for science courses.

PALCS offers the University Scholars Program for gifted and motivated learners. The blended on-site and virtual program offers honors and AP courses to accepted students, though any PALCS student may take up to two AP courses through University Scholars.

Students do complete physical education in cyber school. Classes teach students the importance of incorporating a regular fitness routine into their daily lives and include many instructional videos.

Students in our art classes receive an art kit with a variety of materials such as paint and clay. Painted or drawn pictures can be scanned into the computer via the provided printer/copier/scanner. Students can use their provided webcam to take a picture of sculptures and models.

While equipment is provided, PALCS families can access school from any device with an Internet connection.

Students occasionally choose to mail finished projects to their teachers: we proudly display student artwork in our offices and learning centers!

PALCS has a yearly commencement in Lancaster for all graduates and families who wish to attend.

Our internal IT Help Desk is just a phone call away during business hours for technology assistance. We have trainings and tutorials available on-demand.

Attendance is tracked by logging in on school days, Monday – Friday.

PALCS students can go on many educational, science-related field trips. We’ve gone to Physics Days at Hersheypark and Kennywood, SciTech Days at the Carnegie Science Center, the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Zoos and more!

Students enrolled in PALCS participate in their communities and pursue fantastic interests. We have published novelists, junior firefighters, app developers, notable athletes, and performers of both stage and screen.

The PALCS Mascot is the Eagle and the school colors are blue and yellow.

PALCS has an active Student Government. Students can run for office and participate in committees that spearhead projects, events and fundraisers. Student Government also builds leadership skills and offers unique retreats and field trips.

All PALCS students receive a laptop computer with a webcam, headset microphone, and a printer/copier/scanner. The computer automatically downloads required programs and updates and is filtered for school use.

PALCS has an award-winning Robotics team, placing in both the First Lego League and the First Tech Challenge.

After high school, 79% of the PALCS Class of 2018 chose to further their education with post-secondary school. 18% entered directly into the work force, and 2% entered the military.

The PALCS University Scholars Program has a Mock Trial team that has consistently performed well at both county and district levels.

PALCS supports students from day one with a face-to-face orientation. Families are then guided through an Introduction to Online Learning course as they settle into cyber school.

The PALCS University Scholars Program hosts two National Academic Quiz Tournament teams that compete and perform well at the national tournament level. A PALCS student was named to the 2016 Pennsylvania National All-Star Scholastic Tournament team.

PALCS students are initiated into the National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society each year in a blended on-site/virtual ceremony.

PALCS Center for Performing and Fine Arts students regularly participate in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District Orchestra Festival.

Students have participated in the Hour of Code and have developed apps for Google Chrome and various code snippets. For creative gamers, PALCS hosts its own server for students to participate in Minecraft Club.

PALCS offers Homework Help in the evenings. Students can receive live help from a PALCS teacher in the virtual classroom.

PALCS opened its digital doors on September 13, 2004. Over 2000 young adults have graduated from PALCS since the school opened.

PALCS has an in-house video production studio so teachers can make dynamic videos for their lessons.

Over 150 highly qualified teachers work at PALCS. Teachers work from one of our offices, in either West Chester or Pittsburgh.

PALCS students perform better on standardized testing. In 2018, our students received an average SAT score of 1166 and an average ACT score of 26.1. State averages: 1073 for SAT and 23.7 for ACT.

PALCS graduates have gone on to a range of careers, including becoming teachers, medical professionals, engineers, performing artists, athletes, and officers in the military.

PALCS faculty and staff participate and encourage students to get involved in various volunteer and community service projects throughout the year. The school participates in regular clothing drives, food drives, and fundraisers.

Parents can get involved by joining the monthly Parent Advisory Board. The board meets with the principal monthly to provide feedback and school improvement suggestions.

PALCS students can start exposure to a foreign language as young as Kindergarten!

The PALCS Network is an online social community and resource for PALCS families to connect with other parents and students. We have optional activities and field trips around the state to keep students engaged and active!

Talented PALCS students have performed on many stages and have been heard on the radio across the state. Students have even performed at prestigious Carnegie Hall and on Broadway in New York City.

According to state law, cyber school students may continue to participate in extra-curricular activities and sports through their local schools.

PALCS graduates have attended schools ranging from small private colleges such as Grove City, Washington and Jefferson, Allegheny, Messiah and LaSalle; major state universities like Penn State, Pitt, Temple and Drexel; and Ivy League schools like Princeton, Harvard and Yale.

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