Art Has a Place in Cyber Education

At the Pittsburgh-South Side office, students created oil pastels while learning how to make seasonal artwork with color theory and the basics of shading and tinting.

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PA Cyber is a public charter school that offers students in grades K-12 an alternative to traditional education. One of PA Cyber’s many unique offerings is its in-person ArtReach program, which provides students with hands-on arts experiences in a supportive classroom environment. ArtReach classes enrich students’ creative knowledge and skills while giving them an opportunity to socialize and express themselves.

Each semester, the school offers about 100 art classes across Pennsylvania. Students attend ArtReach classes at the PA Cyber office closest to them. Classes take place one day per week for twelve weeks each semester and are typically 1 hour and 15 minutes in length. Classes are available for all age groups and are free of charge.

PA Cyber’s ten regional offices host numerous arts classes and activities onsite.

ArtReach aims to broaden and deepen students’ knowledge of diverse art forms and cultivate their artistic talents. Class options include visual arts, graphic arts, music, theater, dance, and home arts, such as cooking and sewing. PA Cyber has teamed up with the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center—a leading provider of arts and education programming in Pennsylvania—to design ArtReach curriculum. ArtReach teachers are skilled professionals in their fields of expertise.

Doreen Dembinski said her son Tyler, a fourth grader at PA Cyber, has become more well- rounded because of his participation in these classes. He attends every semester. This past summer, Tyler also attended an ArtReach camp at the Erie office, where participants met four times per week for two weeks. Students experimented with different musical instruments and even made their own instruments by the end of the camp. “It gives Tyler more opportunities to socialize with other kids, and he enjoys it,” Doreen said.

Students were proud to show their creations to family at a Philadelphia ArtReach showcase

Mo Severance said her son Justice loves ArtReach. “It’s one of the best things that has happened to him,” she said. “Art has always been calming for him. They’ve introduced him to all different things.” Justice is autistic with learning and development issues. Mo said PA Cyber staff provide accommodations to ensure he can participate more fully.

An eleventh grader, Justice typically enrolls in three ArtReach classes each semester. He likes fine arts, theater, music, graphic design, drawing, and animation classes.

At an ArtReach showcase in Allentown, students showed off their acting skills.

Near the end of each school year, regional offices host their own ArtReach showcases where students’ accomplishments are highlighted. There, students’ creations are displayed for other students and families to see. Mo said, “I never thought I’d see the day, but Justice sang in the showcase. I can’t believe how much he has come out of his shell. I credit that all to ArtReach and PA Cyber.”

Korey Ritchie, a parent of two PA Cyber students, said, “ArtReach will help your kids step out of their boundaries. It’ll surprise you. There’s no better feeling than seeing your kids succeed.”

If students can’t make it onsite to attend class in-person, a variety of ArtReach classes are offered virtually. Visit pacyber.org/ArtReach for more information.

Students perform a play for family and friends at the Pittsburgh-South Side office.

About PA Cyber

The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School (PA Cyber) serves students in kindergarten through twelfth grade across Pennsylvania. Approximately 11,500 students enrolled from nearly every county and school district in the state for the 2021–2022 school year. As a public school, PA Cyber does not charge tuition to students or families.

While PA Cyber is an online school, students can attend a wide variety of school-organized events in person. Enrichment events include cultural events at the theater, snow tubing, baseball games, and state parks. In addition to ArtReach classes, our ten regional offices host holiday parties, STEM activities, game nights, and school dances. PA Cyber’s offices are located in Allentown, Erie, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Midland, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, State College, Warrendale, and Wilkes-Barre.