Education Choice in Pennsylvania
Homeschool
Pennsylvania Law permits parents to serve as the student's primary instructor for an at home education. A qualified state evaluator reviews their portfolio annually for compliance. Many PA based homeschooling organizations are available, and may be themed in various ways, such as religious denominations or special interests.
Some homeschooling families participate in a "Homeschool Co-op", where families and students can meet academically and socially. Co-ops do projects together, provide extracurricular and common-interest clubs, arrange field trips, or whatever else the co-op decides is beneficial. Co-ops are not only advantageous for the students, but also for the parents. Many co-ops are organized and facilitated by veteran homeschooling parents, who are familiar with specific area home schooling resources and programs.
Some homeschooling "co-ops" also provide hybrid learning opportunities. For instance, students would learn from home for 3 days of the week, and formal homeschool co-op facilitated groupwork, projects, and "classes" would be offered for the other 2. A quick internet search will easily provide you with more information about co-ops.
Review the information below to find PA homeschool curriculum and PA homeschool requirements.
Microschool/Education Pod
Learning or education pods are organized by parents, either with parents themselves teaching, or hiring an instructor. They are based on a family's needs, so might take place in a variety of places such as a home, community center or library meeting room.
Microschools are designed by a private organization within a specific network that arranges for a teacher to educate a small group of students for a cost. Class sizes are usually fewer than 15 students, with the schedules and curriculum tailored to fit the needs of each class. These schools can operate in public, private or charter schools, or completely separate.
Magnet Schools
Magnet schools are public schools that offer specialized curricula and programs that may not be available in the area district school. Most magnet schools focus on themes involving STEM, Fine and Performing Arts, International Studies, Career and Technical Education, and World Languages. These are designed to attract students with a common interest or skillset. Students must apply and be accepted to enroll. These schools are also publicly funded.
Public District Schools
Pennsylvania's 500 school districts offer education across the state, and also host many magnet schools that have specific themes such as math, science, technology or the performing arts.
Private Schools
Pennsylvania has more than 3,000 private schools, which can focus in different ways on how to educate their students; classical academies, and religious schools to name just a few, that come in various sizes, locations and costs. Some students may qualify assistance through the EITC or OSTC programs for private education.
Public Charter/Cyber Charter Schools
Public charter schools, cyber charter schools, or charter academies are public schools that operate with a greater degree of independence than traditional district schools. Brick and mortar charter schools are approved by their chartering district (in the case of cyber charters by the PDE).
These schools may receive more applications than they have open seats and must accept students based on a lottery. They are publicly funded.
Types of School Choice Programs
These websites can help find your child's best fit:
"What we do today will champion education choice rights for our children's futures."
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