What is PALO?

PA Learners Online Regional Cyber Charter School (PALO) is a non-profit, online, web-based public school for students in grades Kindergarten through 12 who reside in any of the 501 school districts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. PALO is chartered by the following Western Pennsylvania School Districts:

• Allegheny Valley
• Baldwin Whitehall
• Bethel Park
• Chartiers Valley
• Deer Lakes
• Moon Area
• Shaler Area
• South Allegheny
• West Allegheny
• Woodland Hills

Our Admissions Department would be happy to provide additional information. Please feel free to contact them at 412-394-5733 or by e-mail at PALO@aiu3.net.

What is PALO’s mission?

The mission of the PA Learners Online Regional Cyber Charter School is to provide depth and breadth of subject matter to all learners through a continuum of lifelong educational options by employing technological applications.

The mission will be accomplished through partnerships with families, schools, and communities in technology-rich learning environments that will focus on problem-solving, critical and analytical thinking, team building, collaborative learning skills and respect for all learners.

Who may enroll in PALO?

Any school-aged student between the ages of 5 through 21 who resides in Pennsylvania is eligible to apply to PALO for enrollment. PALO adheres to Pennsylvania law regarding a free public education.

How can I enroll my child?

Enrollment requires a 3-step process:

Step One: Student Questionnaire - Log onto www.palearnersonline.com and click the link indicated for families interested in enrollment. The first part of the enrollment process engages the student in probing the reasons for enrolling in cyber school. Once all questions are answered and a short essay is completed you will be led to Step 2.

Step Two: Online Application – the online application is a required feature that requests information regarding the student and guardian. This process electronically produces information for enrollment. At the end of the online application, you will click the “APPLY” button and you will proceed to Step 3.

Step Three: Enrollment Packet – The last page following the online application will prompt you to print out the enrollment packet. This is a 20 page document and includes the paperwork required for student registration. Please be sure to follow the directions carefully and call 412-394-5733 should you have any questions regarding its completion. Once the packet is completed you will return it to:

PA Learners Online
475 East Waterfront Drive
Homestead, Pa 15120

How do I get access to the Internet?

All students need internet access in order to participate in PALO. A parent or guardian should secure an internet connection by investigating local internet providers. The internet connection should be high speed and must be available at the student’s residence. PALO will reimburse families for internet service for PALO students. Reimbursement is available quarterly at report card time. The rate of reimbursement depends on your base rate for monthly service. Taxes and connection fees are not reimbursable.

Families who need assistance with regard to procuring the internet for a student due to financial needs should call the PALO Admissions Office at 412-394-5733.

Does PALO provide my child with a computer?

Yes, all PALO students receive a laptop computer, a printer/scanner and a headset with microphone to use as long as they are a PALO student. Additional equipment may be provided in accordance with classroom needs.

What is the cost of tuition for PALO?

PALO is a distance learning, public charter school. This means that there are no tuition charges. The parent or guardian of the student will be required to provide proof of residency in order to participate at PALO and must be registered with their home school district.

Does my child ever have to physically be at PALO?

Yes, students are required to attend testing sessions for the PSSA writing, reading, mathematics and science examinations. For those PALO students who do not reside in the greater Pittsburgh area, alternative testing sites closer to the student’s home will be provided. Additionally, students may be requested to come to PALO for meetings with faculty, guidance, or attendance staff.

What is the role of the parent/guardian?

Parents/guardians play a vital role in the life of a cyber student. Parents assist students with time management and provide essential motivation to work independently. Parents have access to both student email accounts and grade books and can play a major role in keeping students on task and on schedule. It is also necessary for parents/guardians to provide transportation to on-site meetings and testing, and to arrange delivery/pick-up of computers, printers, and other hardware as necessary. Parents are the primary point of contact for faculty, staff, and administration at PALO.

What curriculum will be used?

PALO primarily uses online textbooks and lesson plans developed by teachers, according to Pennsylvania Department of Education standards. However, PALO also utilizes a variety of programs to assist students in their learning. Among these are the Aleks math program, Academy of Reading and Academy of Math programs, Reading A to Z, and Study Island. Elementary level students may use additional programs. All students access their educational curriculum via Blackboard, PALO’s student management system.

Is it possible for my child to move more slowly or more quickly through the curriculum?

Teachers at PALO provide a well-structured, time-sensitive course of study. Lessons are scheduled in such a manner as to provide instruction in the content areas as required by the Department of Education, while not overwhelming students. While it is possible to accelerate through the weekly lessons, students are required to stay on track, completing their weekly assignments on time, as scheduled by the instructor. Additional acceleration through the PALO program can be made possible through the scheduling of additional classes. Students can speak with their guidance counselor regarding program acceleration.

My child has special needs. Can PALO provide special education services?

If your child is an identified special education student already receiving support in his/her current district, services will be continued in PALO. You will need to provide copies of the evaluation report, the current IEP and the Notice of Recommended Educational Placement to the Admissions Staff submission of the enrollment packet.

A reevaluation will be conducted by our Special Education Department, if the special education teacher or supervisor determines such a need, in order to facilitate your student’s learning in the cyber school environment. Specially-designed instruction will be provided for any student with special needs.

How do teachers gauge attendance and online hours?

Teachers, as well as other PALO staff, monitor students’ attendance in a variety of ways. Primarily, students’ logins into the email system and learning platform are monitored automatically by our servers. Students are required to work in every class, every day. Any student who does not log in to his/her program daily can expect to receive an automated reminder call from the PALO principal the next day. Teachers monitor logins to their individual courses as well as the submission of assignments as scheduled. Students who do not complete and submit assignments according to the designated schedule will be contacted by their teacher(s). Teachers also monitor attendance at live classroom sessions, which is a mandatory component of the PALO educational program.

Additionally, all students are monitored by the PALO attendance officer. Any student who does not log into the PALO systems for three days can expect to receive a warning letter from the attendance officer and may be requested to meet on site with the attendance officer and guidance counselor to discuss attendance requirements.


What is the attendance policy?

PA Learners Online recognizes the attendance guidelines as established by the State of Pennsylvania and requires that all students adhere to the following guidelines:

• Students must attend school every school day as listed on the school calendar.

• Students are required to participate in a school related environment as follows:
o Grades K-8 / 5 hours per day / 25 hours per week
o Grades 9-12 / 5.5 hours per day / 27.5 hours per week

Please Note: Even if all assignments are completed prior to the due dates; students must log into the system and check the following daily:

Discussion Board
Emails
Grades
Announcements

• Students/Parents must report all absences on a daily basis to their teachers and the attendance officer.

• A doctor’s note may be required for three or more days of absence in a row due to illness.

• Vacation is not an approved reason for absence in the State of Pennsylvania. Vacation time should align with school vacation days.

• Absences for internet outages are not accepted. The student/parent must report the issue and make arrangements for time to be made up or the student must find alternative arrangements to complete work. Students are encouraged, in the case of an internet outage, to go to a local library or to a friend or relative’s home to complete their work.

• TRUANCY: A student will be considered truant once the student has accumulated three (3) unexcused absences in a row, seven (7) unexcused absences in a month, or fifteen (15) unexcused absences cumulative throughout the school year without contact between the parent or guardian and the school.

How does a cyber student take Physical Education?

PALO offers a complete, online PE course for all of its students, which meets the PA Department of Education standards. This program covers health, physical fitness and nutrition, as well as human anatomy and physiology. Activities are provided to engage students in physical exercise; however, students are encouraged to participate in physical activities and/or sports outside of PALO, such as through a local gym, YMCA or Parks and Recreation Association.

What are the graduation requirements?

High School students are required to earn 23 credits to meet graduation requirements:

• 4 credits -English
• 4 credits -Math
• 4 credits -Science
• 4 credits -Social Studies
• 2 credits -Physical Education
• .5 credit -Health.
• 4 to 8 credits in elective courses.
• Seniors at PALO are required to complete a Senior Project to fulfill graduation


Does PALO issue a High School Diploma?

Yes. PA Learners Online is a diploma-granting institution. PALO is very proud of its graduates, who have fulfilled the requirements necessary to earn a diploma. PALO has a graduating ceremony complete with caps and gowns and with pomp and circumstance. We all look forward to this event every year!