Diamond Model Partnership

While the PAVCS education primarily takes place in the home, with the parent as an academic coach, PAVCS developed its Diamond Model Partnership as a collaborative partnership integrating parents, teachers, family support coordinators and K12 Inc. curriculum. In the Diamond Model Partnership:

Teachers constantly partner with parents to assist with learning techniques, pacing issues, comprehension challenges, positive reinforcement, and other facets of the instruction experience.
Family Support Coordinators partner with parents to offer non-academic support throughout the year

PAVCS' curriculum provider, K12 Inc., partners with parents to provide a rich and rigorous curriculum in all subject areas.

You can be sure of receiving a lot of support and many learning opportunities for parents on a weekly and monthly basis. In addition to regular ongoing communication, you will interact with your teacher and family support coordinator at:

Monthly progress meetings
Parent/teacher workshops
Monthly outings
Discovery Days
Testing
Co-curricular activities

back to the top

Regular Education

The PAVCS educational experience begins with the effective use of placement testing to determine a student’s level in the realm of math and language arts. Students are placed at their developmental skill level for math and language arts so as to meet the needs of the student.

Elementary Program includes:

One-on-one phonics’ instruction
Unprecedented one-on-one teacher support
Classic literature
Step-by-step writing process
Math journals
Scientific process, hands-on science labs
Chronological history approach
Art and music appreciation and methods
Portfolio Assignments
One-on-one teacher conferences
Optional instructional Elluminate Sessions
Utilization of the DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) with all students especially with our K-2 school students.
Generalist 5th grade program which helps begin the transition to the Middle School years.

Middle School Program includes:

Generalist 6th grade teachers
Subject Specific 7th and 8th grade teachers
Portfolio Assignments for each academic course
Teacher Assigned Grading
Instructional Elluminate Sessions
Email correspondence with teacher
Conference Calls
Teacher Office Hours to assist students

High School Program includes:

High-quality, challenging courses with integrated assessments
High standards of accountability and performance
Student-centered classes directed by state-certified teachers who are experts in their subject areas
Students will be intimately involved in determining the direction they take through high school
Students meet or exceed Pennsylvania graduation requirements
Courses are aligned to state standards and employ varying levels of teacher pacing and support

The manner in which the High School Student does school depends on the level of interaction with the teacher a student needs:

Teacher-Led Highly Synchronous
Students attend mandatory live real-time lessons several times each week via our online Elluminate program.
Teacher-Led Highly Asynchronous
Students complete work on their own according to teacher-provided course pathways. Live lessons and office hours are available, but not mandatory.
Self-Directed
Assignments are completed according to a student’s own daily schedule. Teachers verify progress and validate learning through regular assessments and project submissions. Students still follow the core pathway, but can progress at a faster pace, as long as they meet minimum monthly progress goals.

back to the top

Special Education

Special Education at the Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School
The Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School is proud to provide a special education program in accordance with applicable federal and state laws, regulations and guidelines.

Learn More About Special Education
The Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School provides a free appropriate public education to all PAVCS students. For those who require it, we deliver special education and related services for PAVCS students at no cost to the parent or guardian.

NCLB and IDEA Statement
The Amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) of 2004 and Pennsylvania Regulations mandate that every charter school in the state develop a system to identify children with disabilities who are enrolled in the school. PAVCS will locate, identify, and evaluate children who enroll in PAVCS in accordance with all federal regulations and state standards. In addition PAVCS shall provide an eligible child and his/her parent/guardian with safeguards, as required by applicable law.

PAVCS is committed to the full implementation of applicable provisions of NCLB and IDEA. To that end, we believe special education students can achieve high standards when given the supports necessary for success as outlined by their IEP.

Under Section 504, of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and under the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act, some school age children with disabilities who do not meet the eligibility criteria may nevertheless be eligible for special protections and for adaptations and accommodations in instruction, facilities and activities. Children are entitled to such protections, adaptations and accommodations if they have a mental or physical disability that substantially limits or prohibits participation in or access to an aspect of the school program.

Any child that you suspect has a disability should be referred to the PAVCS Director of Special Education at 610-275-8500 x121.

See our annual public notice

back to the top

Our Parents Describe a “Typical” Day

Elementary School Sample

Audio clip coming soon.

Middle School Sample

Audio clip coming soon.

High School Sample

Audio clip coming soon.

back to the top