{Wexford, PA] April 27, 2016 -- PA Distance Learning, a public cyber charter school, is opening its enrollment for the 2016-17 school year.

Imagine riding to the store, with four other people, on one motor scooter. Now imagine that all meals are communal, and everyone uses their hands to eat.  Sound like fun?

Cayla Poborsky laughed as she described many of these new norms of her daily life. A PA Distance alumni, Cayla has been teaching English in Thailand since 2013, and has come to love her new home. 

Strong willed and sarcastic as they come, Cayla is one of a kind.  Her parents brought her up to be self-motivated, and that's much of the reason we were a good fit for her.  She wanted to be able to work while in high school, and PA Distance offered her that flexibility.  Cayla definitely moved onto college with more independence than the average student.

Why do bad things happen to kids?

I could cite you statistics on what is happening, where it’s happening, and how often. I could even tell you countless stories; but I still couldn’t tell you why.  It’s hard to know what to do.  While some of us might feel paralyzed in the face of the innocent suffering, others, like PA Distance senior Molly D., walk directly toward it.

Dakota Burke (formerly Palmer), a 7th grader at PA Distance has been chosen as the recipient of the Our Young Artist contest in back-to-back months held by the Observer-Reporter.

“Our inner world has a reality and a power that can keep us from being victims of circumstance and compel us to take responsibility for our own lives.”

– Parker Palmer, The Courage to Teach

She had a pet skunk as a child. 

She uses the term “pow-wow” on a regular basis.

She’s a ballerina. 

She teaches yoga.

She once spent over a month backpacking Europe by herself.  

Oh, yeah! She’s also our technology teacher – and frankly, I think Ms. Susannah Azzaro is perfect for the job.

All week at PA Distance Learning we have discussed that the idea behind National School Choice Week is to raise public awareness of all types of education options for children. These options include traditional public schools, private schools and cyber schools just like PA Distance Learning. We took an in-depth look at staff member and former PA Distance Learning graduate, Olivia Porter and her fantastic school choice story! We also asked students and families to enter our Poster and Essay Contest this week. Let me tell you, the submissions we received were amazing, well thought out and very much appreciated. Now, without further adieu, here are the winners: