Pottsgrove Virtual Academy

Pottsgrove Virtual Academy Frequently Asked Questions

My family is considering a cyber charter option. How can we access online education while staying in Pottsgrove School District?

At Pottsgrove School District, we believe that in-person instruction is the best educational option for our students. We understand  that some families may need to consider virtual education. If your child requires a virtual learning environment, enrolling in the Pottsgrove Virtual Academy (PGVA) allows students to remain connected to the district while benefiting from many of the programs and resources offered by Pottsgrove School District.

PGVA students continue to have access to district resources, including guidance counselor support and additional academic assistance.

How will my child receive their education?

Pottsgrove Virtual Academy provides a variety of virtual learning options, including:

• Live teaching sessions with PA certified teachers
• Live help from teachers
• On-demand office hours
• Responses from virtual teachers within 24 hours

Is Pottsgrove Virtual Academy available for all students?

Yes, the program is available to all students in grades K–12. However, virtual education may not be the best option for every student. Transitioning from in-person learning to a virtual education is a big decision. Often students are attracted to the self-paced, work from home nature of virtual education but without the daily face-to-face interactions with teachers and classmates, many virtual students fall behind. 

Unlike many cyber charter schools, PGVA supports students through live instructional sessions provided by PA certified teachers.

Families considering virtual education are encouraged to contact their child's guidance counselor to discuss the benefits, challenges,  and expectations of virtual learning. 

What is the enrollment process?

The enrollment process begins with completing the Pre-Enrollment Form. After the form is submitted, a Pottsgrove School District administrator will contact you to answer any questions and continue the enrollment process. 

How is Pottsgrove Virtual Academy different from other cyber charter programs?

PGVA is available exclusively to students who reside within Pottsgrove School District. PGVA graduates will receive a Pottsgrove High School diploma. 

PGVA students may also participate in many district programs and activities available to in-person students, including:

• Athletics
• Clubs and extracurricular activities
• The Pottsgrove High School Internship Program
• Western Montgomery Career & Technology Center (WMCTC)
• Additional district programs and opportunities

Students also have access to live teaching sessions with PA certified teachers, live help from teachers, on-demand office hours, and teacher responses within 24 hours.

Will my child have access to the same courses that are offered at Pottsgrove School District? Are Honors and AP courses available?

Pottsgrove Virtual Academy and Pottsgrove School District curricula are both aligned to Pennsylvania academic standards. The content of the courses will be similar but the curriculum is different. 

Not all district courses are available through PGVA. However, PGVA offers a wide variety of courses, including:

• Core academic courses
• Elective courses
• Honors courses
• Advanced Placement (AP) courses

Families can review available course catalogs on the district website or contact a guidance counselor for additional information.

Is attendance required?

Yes. The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) requires all schools to track daily attendance.

For virtual learning programs, PDE defines attendance as:

• Evidence of access (logging in)
• Evidence of completion (assignments and coursework)

PGVA will operate on the same school calendar as Pottsgrove School District.

To be marked present, students must:

• Complete at least one activity in at least one class each school day.

Attendance is recorded in PowerSchool, and all attendance procedures outlined in the Student Handbook apply.

What type of technology support will be provided?

Pottsgrove School District provides each enrolled student with either an iPad or a MacBook Neo. The Director of Technology will contact you to coordinate device pickup.

For technology assistance during the school year, contact the Technology Department. 

Can a student return to in-person instruction if virtual learning is not working?

Yes. Families have a 14-day grace period after enrollment. During this time, students may withdraw from PGVA and return to in-person instruction at Pottsgrove School District.

After the 14-day grace period, students may still return to in-person instruction; however, the transition will occur at the end of the semester.

Because PGVA teaches a Pennsylvania aligned curriculum that is self-paced for each learner, we will need to work together during the transition back to in-person instruction to ensure that students learn what has been covered in PGSD classrooms. 

Parents and guardians are encouraged to reach out to their student's guidance counselor if they have any questions or concerns about their student's educational progress.

Supports and Resources Available for Virtual Students

All students K-12 are provided with support to navigate learning successfully. All families will have access to receive help from PGSD guidance counselors, technology support, and support staff. We want to make sure that you are equipped with the right tools and resources in order to maximize your virtual learning experience.

Academic Support:

While Pottsgrove School District teachers do not teach PGVA students their curriculum, there will be teacher check-ins on a weekly basis. There will be one core teacher selected from each Pottsgrove building that will use their "duty period" to check in with our PGVA students. The teacher will make sure that the students are on track with their virtual coursework and answer any questions that the student may have. If a student expresses that they need help, the PGSD teacher can use their "duty period" to assist the student.

EdOptions Academy offers live sessions with PA certified teachers that students can access when they feel that it is needed or wanted.

Student Support:

• Access to PGSD Guidance Counselors
• Individualized learning plans and weekly progress reviews
• Live sessions with PA certified teachers
• On-demand lessons are available 24/7 to offer scheduling flexibility.
• Student Expectation Guide (EdOptions Academy)

Parent/Guardian Support:

• Daily attendance tracking
• Online, real-time grade book access
• Weekly progress reports
• Student/Guardian Success Zone (EdOptions Academy)
• A Parent Guide: Support Your Child During Virtual Learning

Questions? Contact your building guidance counselors.

Pottsgrove High School Guidance Counselors: 

• Mrs. Kelly Crowell, Guidance Secretary, 610-326-5105, ext. 7387
• Mrs. Jill Bossler (A-E), 610-326-5105, ext. 7391
• Mr. Stephen Kincaid (F-Le), 610-326-5105, ext. 7389
• Mrs. Kyra Ebert (Li-Ror), 610-326-5105, ext. 7390
• Mrs. Lisa Childs (Ros-Z), 610-326-5105, ext. 7388.

Pottsgrove Middle School Guidance Counselors: 

• Mrs. Cristina Kleinfelter (A-L), 610-326-8243, ext. 2054
• Miss DiAnni Dennis (M-Z), 610-326-8243, ext. 2052.

Lower Pottsgrove Elementary Guidance Counselors: 

• Mrs. Susan Shannon, 610-323-7510, ext. 4050
• Ms. Rebecca Cortez, 610-323-7510, ext. 4066

Ringing Rock Elementary Guidance Counselor: 

• Mrs. Wendi Kiley, 610-323-0903, ext. 3030.

West Pottsgrove Elementary Guidance Counselor: 

• Mrs. Jennifer Snyder, 610-323-6510, ext. 5032.

Technology Support: 610-327-2277