California Area to run its own cyber school

By CHRISTINE HAINES

chaines@yourmvi.com

The California Area School Board approved a memorandum of understanding Friday with the California Area Education Association that will allow the district to offer its own cyber school this school year.

“Our goal was to establish our cyber academy working with the California Area Education Association,” said Superintendent Dr. Laura Jacob. “We realize our educators provide a high-quality education and we also realize that some parents feel more comfortable keeping their children at home.”

There are already 152 students in kindergarten through 12th grade enrolled in the program, which will allow students to move seamlessly between brick-and-mortar classrooms and learning at home, according to Jacob. 

“We want to keep it very open and free so that if a student is struggling, they can come back into the regular school the next day,” she said.

While the cyber academy will be asynchronous, meaning students will work at their own pace, they will use the same curriculum and lesson plans as students in the classroom. If schedules allow, cyber students may also be able to attend classes at the same time as students in the classrooms.

“If we can schedule a cyber session with the teachers, we will,” Jacob said.

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