Carlynton administrators will hold an informational meeting on July 24 about the new Carlynton School District Cyber Academy that will launch for the 2019-20 school year.

The new online instructional program is being offered to students of the district who are enrolled in a cyber or charter school. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the Carlynton Junior-Senior High School auditorium.

The Carlynton Cyber Academy is for students in grades one through 12. Ed Mantich, district director of curriculum, instruction and assessment, said Carlynton officials are targeting 45 students who live in the district but enroll in cyber schools.

Mantich said about 90 percent of the Carlynton Cyber Academy courses align with the current curriculum in Carlynton schools. The cyber academy, which uses the Seneca Valley web-based platform, employs instructors with more than 10 years of teaching experience.

The Carlynton Cyber Academy was just an idea about nine months ago, but quickly turned into a reality. Mantich, who worked with Rachel Andler, director of special education, said Carlynton officials wanted to start a cyber academy for the upcoming school year and with no investment.

Mantich said Seneca Valley’s program is being used by schools throughout the country.

Mantich said Carlynton cyber students would earn a Carlynton diploma and be able to participate in commencement. Students in the Carlynton Cyber Academy also will be able to participate in extracurricular activities, clubs and prom. Mantich said the district has 86 students who are enrolled in cyber or other brick-and-mortar schools.

The tuition cost would be $4,250 per student, which Carlynton would pay to use the Seneca Valley platform. If three or more students enroll, the district cost drops to $3,570 per student. Currently, Carlynton pays $14,000 per student to cover tuition for those attending other cyber and charter schools.

For special education students enrolled in cyber schools, Carlynton pays $27,900 in tuition fees to the other cyber schools. By partnering with Seneca Valley, the district would pay $7,000 for each special education student that enrolls in the Carlynton Cyber Academy.

The district would also provide a computer and Internet access to those students in need.

Carlynton school board members see the cyber academy as a win-win for students, parents and the district.

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