Art Has a Place in Cyber Education

PA Cyber is a public charter school that offers students in grades K-12 an alternative to traditional education. One of PA Cyber’s many unique offerings is its in-person ArtReach program, which provides students with hands-on arts experiences in a supportive classroom environment. ArtReach classes enrich students’ creative knowledge and skills while giving them an opportunity to socialize and express themselves.

PA Cyber parents share how ArtReach classes have benefitted their children.

Each semester, the school offers about 100 art classes across Pennsylvania. Students attend ArtReach classes at the PA Cyber office closest to them. PA Cyber’s Philadelphia office is located at 825 Baltimore Pike in Springfield. Classes take place one day per week for twelve weeks each semester and are typically 1 hour and 15 minutes in length. Classes are available for all age groups and at no additional charge.

ArtReach aims to broaden and deepen students’ knowledge of diverse art forms and cultivate their artistic talents. Class options include visual arts, graphic arts, music, theater, dance, and home arts, such as cooking and sewing. ArtReach teachers are skilled professionals in their fields of expertise.

At the Pittsburgh-South Side office, students created oil pastels while learning how to make seasonal artwork with color theory and the basics of shading and tinting.

Doreen Dembinski said her son Tyler, a fourth grader at PA Cyber, has become more well-rounded because of his participation in these classes. He attends every semester. This past summer, Tyler also attended an ArtReach camp at the Erie office, where participants met four times per week for two weeks. Students experimented with different musical instruments and even made their own instruments by the end of the camp. “It gives Tyler more opportunities to socialize with other kids, and he enjoys it,” Doreen said.

Mo Severance said her son Justice loves ArtReach. “It’s one of the best things that has happened to him,” she said. “Art has always been calming for him. They’ve introduced him to all different things.” Justice is autistic with learning and development issues. Mo said PA Cyber staff provide accommodations to ensure he can participate more fully.

Korey Ritchie, a parent of two PA Cyber students, said, “ArtReach will help your kids step out of their boundaries. It’ll surprise you. There’s no better feeling than seeing your kids succeed.”

If students can’t make it onsite to attend class in-person, a variety of ArtReach classes are offered virtually. Visit pacyber.org/ArtReach for more information.

About PA Cyber

The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School (PA Cyber) serves students in kindergarten through twelfth grade across Pennsylvania. Approximately 11,500 students enrolled from nearly every county and school district in the state last year. As a public school, PA Cyber does not charge tuition to students or families. While PA Cyber is an online school, students can attend a wide variety of school-organized events in person, ranging from historical field trips to game nights at regional offices. PA Cyber’s offices are located in Allentown, Erie, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Midland, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, State College, Warrendale, and Wilkes-Barre.