Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School in Norristown, Pennsylvania

“This is our third year with PAVCS. The teaching staff is very supportive and the curriculum is excellent. We are very thankful for our school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school has given my boys the opportunity to excell in areas where they were falling behind in the brick and mortar schools. My younger son was a full year behind in math when he started at PAVCS and absolutely hated math; now, four and a half years later, he is a full grade level ahead in math and actually plans on teaching math as a career. What a difference caring and individual attention can make. The teachers are excellent and the curriculum is challenging; the resources are plentiful and the opportunity for personal growth for each child is outstanding. I have recently pulled my step-daughter out of a well-known boarding school to enroll her in PAVCS as well because I know she will get a better, more thorough education here at PAVCS without all the negetive aspects of a traditional school, and all of my children will be much more prepared to be independent learners for college.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“PAVCS has been an excellent school for my children. We have consistently had great teachers who respond within the hour. Blackboard is a universal tool used by colleges and universities throughout the country, and successfully utilized at PAVCS. There is one password and username to enter into Blackboard for each student. Blackboard is one place where all announcements, in-school e-mail, course listings, outings, teacher and Family Support Coordinator contacts are located, as well as, direct links which are individualized for the student. The school's main mission is to see each student succeed. They have been there for my children to individualize based on his/her academic needs (either slow down or advance). New offerings are based on parental feedback. PAVCS utilizes K12, same as Agora, and the the student would have to log onto their couse listing, in the same manner as a child at Agora.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I think its a horrible school. I am always emailing my teachers reciving a 'out of my office' responce. Let me say this, if you are looking for a good teachers who respnde to emails and encourage your student/children it is not the school for you. When you student/ children are failing they will make it feel like him/her has no hope. I'm telling you. I will never ever use this schooling again. The website (blackboard) is not user friendly. It's is confusing you have to sign onto 10 different things just to do your work, remember 20 different unsernames and passwords. Now agora, great school! If your are interested in you son/daughter doing a online school I suggest Agora, you get admediate respnce to emails, the teachers set up an IM where the student, if they need help, can IM te teacher, reciving a responce right away outstanding school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I think this is a wonderful public school option. The teachers and staff are outstanding. The K-12 curriculum is challenging. My children are in elementary school and are taking a foreign language. They are able to attend any extra curricular activity at their local school district that is not offered by PAVCS. Parents are held accountable, and are a vital part of the education process. It's a great parent teacher partnership. It's been an extremely positive experience.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“PAVCS is the best thing that has happened to my son. Attending PAVCS has given him the opportunity to be the best he can be !!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This is my daughter's fourth school year in this program! I truly love the quality eduaction this type of school provides. We are from Pittsburgh and I would never place her in a brick and mortar school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Great school, staff and curriculum. Truly fits each student individually. It allows students to succeed!!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I love everything about PAVCS. The teacher's, the courses and what it has done for my children. It is a pleasure for them to go to school everyday.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I wish the brick and mortar schools could follow the PAVCS model. The teachers are so great, and the curriculum is challenging. Awesome school, the best of both worlds:)”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school is such a postive influence for my child's education. It meets her needs in many many ways. The support is excellent and she has made many wonderful friends. It has allowed her to blossom into a wonderful human being”
This review was posted by a parent.

“PAVCS has been a wonderful schooling venue for our family for 6 years. Our children work at their own pace at appropriate grade level by subject and accomplish self guided learning as they progress through the curriculum. These kids will be schooling in a way similar to college style learning in high school! I see this as a huge advantage when college does begin. This style of learning is so successful in teaching children how to learn independently. PAVCS uses K12 curriculum which is OUTSTANDING. This school curriculum is top notch, challenging and so thorough. Our three children are leaps and bounds ahead in so many ways. People worry about the socialization missed by schooling at homw. I am thrilled with the negative socialization missed!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My son just finished 4th grade! We had no complaints. . . great teacher support! He had conference calls twice a month. My daughter just finished 7th grade. Teacher support for middle school children is non existent, or at least for us. We got a call at the beginning of the year and at the end from her home room teacher. That was it! For my son, I would've rated it a 5, for my daughter, a 2 is as high as I can go.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“In reading the previous review I have had the complete opposite experience with 2nd and 4th grade. We have participated in approximately 12 novel discussions and ALL have been punctual, thorough, well-planned, and expanded upon and aligned with the K12 lessons. We also participated in the many written composition classes, which were well-planned, punctual, orderly, and the teacher provided support outside of the set class time. Our teachers have been well-informed, professional, punctual, supportive through conferences, questions via-e-mail, etc. The reminders teachers provide concerning progress in hours and curriculum are meant to provide guidance and structure for the student so that the required progress can be made based on the student's needs and with the knowledge that the materials were received late from K12. Online opportunities to socialize are vast (chess/checkers, touch math, etc.) as well as learning link sessions which are led by teachers and support completion of the K12 lessons.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“We are completing our 1st year with PAVCS. The curriculum is outstanding, but the teacher/school support could be better. Teachers had little interaction with our children (2nd and 4th grade). Most disappointing were the online novel discussions that were offered throughout the year. In only one case did the teacher show up for all of the classes. Teachers seemed to be unfamiliar with basic aspects of the curriculum and there was a lot of pressure to complete the curriculum even though materials arrived as late as 2 months after the start of the school year. Social interaction has been a difficult area. There are few opportunities to interact with other children from the school. In addition, while field trip time counts towards the required hours, on-line lessons still need to be completed.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I absolutely love this school. I switched at the beginning of my junior year and I wish I had always gone to this school! The teachers are the best and love to have fun while teaching and the children are learning. I have plenty of time for family doing my schoolwork in my free time. I absolutely love the school!”
This review was posted by a student.

“This school is awesome! The schoolwork is pretty cool, and it's challenging. There's programs for the gifted students, and for the student with special needs. In elluminates, there's a lot of communication, so you feel like part of a group. You tend to think of your classmates as a branch of your family, at least that's what I found in my experience. There are a lot of co-curricular programs, and it's cool. At PSSAs, it's exciting when you get to meet some of your classmates. So, yeah, I totally love this school!”
This review was posted by a student.

“The school has been great and so are the teachers too . My kids get all the help that they need and they do not feel rushed .”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I entered my children in this school after an unsatifactory experience at Lackawanna Trail. My kids PSSA test scores went up significantly while in PAVCS. The teacher involvement is amazing, there is aways an expectation of accademic excellencce, while committing to a united approach with the parents. I am so glad I have the oppurtunity to have such a great school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“i go to this school and Iam sick of this school the teachers are boring all you do is stair at the screen all day and listen to the teacher. as a student i would not recommend to put your child in this school because the social level is very low and they give your child alot of work so basically he or she will get bored of it quickly”
This review was posted by a student.

“I am a student in this school, and I love it! It gives you a lot of time for extra activities, and you can work at your own pace. Teachers can plan 'outings' where you can meet other people who do the school, and they are a lot of fun! I have been in this school for 3 years, and my sister has been in it for 5 years, and it just keeps getting better!”
This review was posted by a student.

“PAVCS is an excellent choice if you are looking for an innovative educational challenge. I am a proud parent of two students in grades 11th and 7th who has been enrolled with PAVCS for 4 years. This modern-day education has allowed my students to effectively challenge their educational goals as well as enhance their social skills. The school provides quality education with professional staff and teachers. Honestly, I have no protest about my choice to enroll my students with PAVCS. My children show eagerness to study. Our world is technology based and PAVCS is in harmony with keeping their students gainfully skilled. The Lewis children, has also taken opportunities to voice their opinion on alternative education by attending a day in Harrisburg. This was a day for which they lived, learned, and respected history at its best. Lastly, I Thank PAVCS for your tremendous support which you give sincerely.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My oldest child started PAVCS in her 5th grade year. She is now in 10th. She came from the local public school. I also have a 1st grader with PAVCS and another one that will start kindergarten in the fall. We love the program and I cannot say enough good things about the curriculum, teachers and administration.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I have been with this school for over five years and have three children enrolled at PAVCS. We love all that the school has to offer.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school has far exceeded our expectations on so many levels. For the first time in our educational journey we can see that our son is truly challenged ! The diversity of the programs offered and student support offered is so much more diverse that you can imagine without actually participating. PAVCS works with each family to ensure the individual needs of the student are met or exceeded. In a traditional school there is no way our child could be taking Spanish in 3rd grade as well as participating in such stimulating groups as Reader's Theater, Checkers, Chess, Sudoku, Novel Discussion groups and much more all while working through traditional coursework. WE LOVE PAVCS! If you have had a less that positive traditional school experience and can make this type of commitment to your child's education I encourage you to look into PAVCS.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“We have been with PAVCS for seven years and will never switch to a brick and mortar school. My children are above grade level and this school is the epitome of the 'No child left behind'. No student can advance to the next lesson until they are able to achieve a mastery of 80 % for each lesson. This way a child will never be left behind. We have wonderful teacher and school support behind every child. I am proud to be a parent of two PAVCS students.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“K-12 Curriculum is awesome. Art and Music are a part of the curriculum. Level of parent involvement is high.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I love this school. I love the online classes that my daughter attends on Elluminate. I can listen and see how the teacher teaches and listen to how something is being taught. Teachers always respond very quickly to emails. It is the best of both worlds for my daughter without the pressures of her peers. She has alot of friends in our neighborhood and she made new friends in this school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My daughter is what I would consider a gifted child academically and PAVCS has given her the challenge she needs to keep learning, even if it is means doing academic work well above her own grade level. No brick and mortart school in my area would have been able to provide the same curriculum. Truly an awesome school!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“We've been with this school for 5 years. I use it for my 2 elementary-aged daughters. It is a perfect match for both of them. One is bright and likes to move at a fast pace. She doesn't like wasted time and she enjoys exploring topics that interest her. My other daughter has special needs and we've found the special ed. dept. to be top-notch. They provide excellent related services, far better than we've received elsewhere. IEP conferences are pleasant experiences with this school! I've found that it's all about providing my children with the best possible education, not politics and money.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“The K12 curriculum is EXCELLENT. The parents and teachers are wonderful. There is, however, a serious communication problem with the head of school and the BOT often saying one thing and then doing another or not keeping their promises. I would not recommend this school if another school using the K12 curriculum is available.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“In an age where we all worry about drugs, teen pregnancy, and violence, virtual schools eliminate all of those issues during school hours. School hours are more productive because there are no other things vying for the students attention - just academic learning. One of my children is disabled and the other had difficulty learning to read and spell. The regular school system ended up not being able to help either of them. And my children were ridiculed more and more as they began to fall further behind in academics. Learning at home through the PAVCS has enabled them to learn quickly, thoroughly, without ridicule. They are relaxed and they truly enjoy their school work. Which for me is a real but very very welcome surprise.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This has been a wonderful program for my daughters. It is a nice balance of public and home school. It gives us structure while still allowing a great deal of parental involvement and flexibility. My girls love having their computers to do some of their work on, and I appreciate the program's organization.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Excellent program for twice exceptional (gifted and learning disabled) children like my own. School is very supportive of adapting curriculum to meet my child's needs. My daughter is dysgraphic (has a very hard time writing) so we arranged for the majority of assignments to be oral and she can go thourgh thelessons at her own pace - very fast. Great school, helpful staff, wonderful teachers!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“K12 prvides parents and caregivers a wonderful option to traditional 'brick and mortar' schools. With this excellent curriculum, it's not just homeshool but away of life.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“The quality is topnotch! However the workload can be demanding. The requirements for logging and recording on a daily basis may not allow some the freedom that they desire with homeschooling.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I spent a great deal of time researching curriculum guidelines for elementary children. I found the one utilized by this school to be excellent. My child, who is currently in the 2nd grade, is excelling in all areas. The art curriculum is well rounded. I'm least impressed with the music curriculum. Although some aspects are great, because of the exposure some music genres, I feel that it is lacking in some areas. Being musically inclined, I find myself interjecting my own influence frequetly. The teaching staff is an excellent resource. I was impressed with the history curriculum because,it began with world history as opposed to starting with America as the starting point, giving the child a concept of the entirety of the world at an early age. To feel a part of the school, you must put forth an effort to be involved by participating in school outings.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This is an awesome alternative to homeschooling. We have 3 children involved in this program. The material PAVCS provides is fantastic. Each child received their own computer to use. I highly recommend this program.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“We are proud to be a part of PAVCS and to be given the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of using the k12 curriculum developed in part by William J Bennett. The curriculum is rich, challenging, and we can move at my childrens levels. I highly recommend this school. ~M.Dillman”
This review was posted by a parent.

“We're are so proud to be a part of this unique charter school. This is our daughter's second year (she's in first grade), and we're thrilled by her progress. The curriculum is excellent and challenging, and the students work at their own pace. We like that we're the teacher and can monitor how she's doing. If she needs an added challenge or wants to know more, there are lesson extensions. Already she is working well above grade level. A great variation to homeschooling!”
This review was posted by a parent.