John Walish advocates for fellow student-athletes StudentVoice
Elementary School Assistant Principal Darlene Garrow talks to students at Board Game Club
NotefromtheDirectorof StudentServices
I am incredibly proud of our graduating Class of 2026 and all they have accomplished throughout their time with us
This year’s graduation ceremony, our largest to date, was a powerful celebration of their hard work, growth, and perseverance, and it was an honor to share that moment with their families and our school community
As we close out another successful school year, I am filled with gratitude for the dedication of our students and staff who make these milestones possible.
CarrieLongstreth
DirectorofStudentServices
Carrie Longstreth
HowPALCSHelpsMeSoar
By Prielle Lior, PALCS ‘30
Life is a story But school is an important chapter in that story because it’s where we learn not just who we are, but who we can become.
Before I joined PALCS, I knew I was a good person, but I didn’t know I was great.
I was still learning who I was and where I belonged. I always followed people and was never truly myself I felt pressure to be perfect in math, afraid that little mistakes meant failure rather than growth
But when I became a part of this online school, that changed, through learning, listening, and most importantly, making mistakes
Throughout my gymnastics journey I ignored my pain but then with my teacher's guidance I realized that sometimes you can’t see people's scars because they are on the inside, but that doesn't mean they don’t exist
PALCS taught me to dream, to change, to do better They don’t tell you; they ask you They give you a choice: Performing Arts or Advanced classes, creating the first middle school yearbook like me or making a club, traveling the world or staying at home.
You have a choice, and you have a purpose PALCS allowed me to meet teachers like Mr. Slusser who helped me stand firm in who I wanted to be. Teachers like Ms. Totman taught me that learning can be fun. And teachers like Ms. Algeo who overall just tolerated me (just kidding!)
It’s called Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School for a reason, because they didn’t teach me to remain a follower; they trained me to become a leader Online school made me realize I never had to pretend I was someone I wasn't I could be me They take off the training wheels, and suddenly, you realize you were capable all along
As the saying goes, “Life is a book. Some chapters are sad, some are happy and some are exciting but if you never turn the page, you will never know what the next chapter has in store for you” Every chapter teaches us something different good or bad
And even if we don’t understand the story yet, we have to keep reading because the best it yet to come
This online school helped me understand that students don’t have to fit one mold to LEARN. You’re never limited by your teachers; instead, you receive encouragement to achieve things that are impossible.
Spaces like this allow students like me to learn from others without losing myself and the confidence to write my own story
This school helped me when I was disconnected, displeased, doubted, and disappointed to realize that my failure is not my finish; it’s the beginning of a new chapter
When supporting and encouraging schools like this, you're not only investing in education, you're changing lives PALCS didn’t change me or make me different; it showed me who I’ve always been
I’ve always sat in fear, but now I can stand confident I’m just getting started not famous yet but keep turning the page and I will be
WingingIt:PodcastShowcases LeadersOfAllTypes
Winging It is PALCS’s official podcast, where Director of School Communications Zealan Turner sits down with students, teachers, administrators, parents, and anyone else who is having a positive impact in the PALCS community. Here’s highlights from recent episodes:
Mr Cooper: “When you’re a teacher, you want to work with kids And when you come to cyber, you think, ‘okay How is this going to translate?’ Zoom is the platform. I want to be in Zoom all the time, I want to see my students all the time.”
“PALCS has helped me to explore more classes and get out of my comfort zone If I were in a [brick-andmortar] public school, I don’t even know if I would have done any Advanced Placement classes. I think I would have been too scared about the workload.
Mr. Packer: “If I was in a brick and mortar school, I might stop by that one corner and say, ‘hey, any questions? What’s the conversation sounding like Listen to Winging It:
But PALCS helped me be flexible with everything so I could take on the workload. We have a lot of teachers
youtube.com/@palcsorg and staff who are really helpful ” so far?’ I can do that same exact thing That’s the fun side of it It’s getting creative with the digital tools we have and creating experiences.”
vimeo.com/paleadershipcs
ElementarySchool
Students Unleash Their Inner Scientists During Interactive "Science Heroes" Event
On February 27, science and stories collided in a fun, interactive ST E M program! This interactive adventure explored the exciting world of science through hands-on experiments Students learned all about explosions, air pressure, and chemical reactions
Empowering Progress: Supporting Parent Learning Coach Connections
On March 23rd, our Parent Learning Coach Connections community gathered for an insightful session focused on transparency and student growth. PALCS Data Specialist Ms. Jennifer Schelling shared a deep dive into the academic and division goals that drive our mission forward. Ms. Schelling provided families with a clear roadmap of where they are headed as a school, but more importantly, she equipped parents with the tools to navigate that journey alongside their children. A highlight of the meeting was the hands-on walkthrough of the LinkIt student portal Parents learned how to access and interpret realtime data, allowing them to track their child’s individual progress with confidence
Making Connections, Having Fun At Board Game Club
Students and their families were invited to get to know each other and play some board games on April 10! Board Game Club meets four times during the school year and lets students play favorite games like Connect Four and Jenga. It’s also a great opportunity to meet teachers in-person!
Woven Together At Pittsburgh Hobby Hour
Creativity took center stage February 13th! Students crafted intricate string art, weaving together bright colors and bold patterns to bring their unique visions to life. The atmosphere was alive with inspiration as everyone moved on to custom button-making and lively games. It was the perfect blend of hands-on art and social connection, leaving our PALCS students with a new skill and a smile!
MiddleSchool
Scholastic Book Fair
In April, students and their families had the chance to shop at the Book Fair. Families could buy come in-person to PALCS buildings in Cheswick and West Chester to browse through popular books, as well as check out fun school supplies Even more titles were available to order online This event helps raise money for the middle school every year
Spirit Week
April 13-17 was Spirit Week in middle school Through Padlet, students shared pictures of themselves dressing for each day’s theme That included Map Your Dreams Day (where students dressed for their future career) and Defy The Odds Day (students showed off their favorite team jerseys - and yes, it stayed civil between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia fans). Students also got to meet Gobi, a stray dog who ran part of an ultra-marathon in the Gobi Desert. Dion Leonard, the runner shared the story of how he found Gobi and how it changed both of their lives.
Knoebel’s end-of-year celebration
On June 2, middle school families were invited to Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg to celebrate the end of the school year. This event also served as a send-off to high school for eighth-grade students
PALCS staff and families enjoyed rides, games, and lunch while meeting each other in person
HighSchool
Visit to the Penn State Nanotechnology Center
Students visited the Center for Nanotechnology Education and Utilization on Penn State’s campus PALCS alumni Trey Shirley, who is a doctoral candidate doing research at the center, met with the students and told them about his work.
Pilot visit
A Southwest Airlines pilot spoke to high school students about aviation and what it takes to become a commercial pilot.
NHS Induction
The National Honor Society inducted its largest ever group of students at PALCS! The induction ceremony is a meaningful celebration of scholarship,
leadership, service, and character. This special event recognizes students who have demonstrated a strong commitment to academic excellence while making a positive impact in the PALCS community
Prom
More than 250 students and their guests attended PALCS Prom this year! Students and staff put together two proms each year - one near Pittsburgh, and another one near Philadelphia This year’s Prom East theme was Lights, Camera, Action, and the Prom West theme was Once Upon A Time
Graduation
On June 13, more than 300 graduates and hundreds of their loved ones gathered for Commencement at the Lancaster County Convention Center This year’s graduation was the biggest one PALCS has ever had Those in attendance heard from PALCS CEO Dr. Karla Johnson and three student speakers. Jeneen Barlow, a renowned public speaker, co-founder and CEO of Barlow Enterprises, and a former PALCS parent, used her commencement address to encourage graduates to find their purpose in life. She also introduced her son, 2024 PALCS graduate Nathanael Barlow, a student at Berklee School of Music who shared his singing voice with the crowd.
The PALCS Class of 2026 valedictorian is Kristen Dodds (pictured at left with Dr Johnson) Kristen is going to the Honors College at Purdue University, where she will study engineering The salutatorian is Zachary Cohen, who will study economics and play on the tennis team at Harvard University.
PALCSScholarshipWinners
Graduating PALCS seniors are eligible to apply for three internal scholarships, each worth $1,000. This year, these scholarships, which are overseen by College and Financial Aid Advisor Mx Alyx Matchett, received close to 70 entries from the class of 2026 A team of 20 staff judges, along with the family of Micah Gates, chose these three winners
Autumn Harper
Micah Gates
Memorial Scholarship
Autumn will be attending Kutztown
University Autumn is a CPFA Online student and has attended PALCS since 7th grade
Ka Co is currently enrolled in both CPFA and USP Kadian has attended PALCS since 7 grade and is an early graduate! th
Malik
Malik enrolled at PALCS in 11th grade, and he will be attending a trade school at the Aviation Institute of Maintenance in Philadelphia in Fall 2026
Classof2026Plans
Automotive Training Center
Baylor University
Carnegie Mellon University
Colgate University
Columbia University
Cornell University
Duquesne University
Franklin & Marshall University
Gap Year
Gettysburg College
Harvard University
Haverford College
High Point University
Howard University
Lehigh University
Lincoln University
McGill University - Montreal
Millersville University
Muhlenberg College
New York University
Northeastern University
Oberlin College
Ohio State University
Oklahoma University
Penn State University
Purdue University
Scotland’s Rural College
Southern Methodist University
St Joseph's University
Swarthmore College
Temple University
U.S. Naval Academy
University of Arizona
University of Illinois
University of Pittsburgh
University of Tennessee
University of South
Florida
Villanova University
Virginia Tech
West Chester University
and many more!
Seawright Shining Stars Scholarship
NotefromtheHigh SchoolPrincipal
My name is Mike Logue, and I serve as the High School Principal at PALCS I am also a proud PALCS parent; my wife and I have two children enrolled at the school Both professionally and personally, I have seen the positive impact of PALCS’s mission to provide an individualized, growth-focused K–12 online public education in an engaging, technologyrich environment.
One of my family’s favorite places to visit is Longwood Gardens. Walking through its paths, surrounded by thousands of varieties of trees and plants, it’s hard to ignore both the beauty and the intentionality of it all. Every plant, every bloom, every towering tree, every patch of green is carefully curated because someone understood a simple truth: not all living things thrive under the same conditions.
If there is one thing I’ve learned from visiting Longwood Gardens, it’s that each type of plant, among the thousands represented, requires individualized care. Some plants need full, direct sunlight for most of the day; others wilt if exposed to too much light and instead flourish in the shade Certain plants demand constant moisture, while others are adapted to survive in drier climates No gardener worth their salt would insist that every plant receive the same amount of light, water, and attention To do so would be harmful, yet this is precisely what we often expect of our public education system
A traditional, one-size-fits-all model of public schooling presumes that learners will grow best when placed in the same environment But learners are not identical, and authentic learning requires intention, because not every student thrives in a traditional classroom setting.
Just as in a garden, learners have different needs, strengths, and temperaments. Some thrive in highly structured environments while others require flexibility. Some require more time, more support, or a different approach altogether to take root and thrive.
School choice acknowledges what nature has always taught us: growth is personal, development is varied, and student success requires the right conditions. This is why my family chose PALCS!
Michael Logue
At its core, school choice is not about rejecting public education or favoring one type of school over another It is about amplifying what families are looking for: different environments suited to give their children the best opportunity to flourish It affirms that parents have agency to access a range of educational options, public, charter, cyber charter, private, independent, faith-based, or homeschool. For families, educational decisions are rarely theoretical and often deeply personal. These choices are often made after careful thought, concern, and hope for their child’s well-being.
HighSchoolPrincipal
If we truly want to create a world-renowned public education system where every student reaches their full “academic and leadership potential,” we would do well to launch and reimagine a learning culture that reflects the care, balance, and growth of a thriving garden.
Mr.MichaelLogue
Dr.KarlaJohnsonadvocates forPALCSatthePennsylvania StateCapitol
On May 6th, Dr Karla Johnson spent the day at the Pennsylvania State Capitol, meeting with lawmakers to advocate for cyber charter school funding. Dr. Johnson left Harrisburg feeling “optimistic” about talks, but added there’s a long way to go in the fight to make sure PALCS receives fair funding in the state budget.
TheFritzFamilyThrivesWith PALCS
By PALCS parent Elizabeth Fritz
After my daughter’s 6th grade year, we began exploring PALCS because we felt a traditional brick-and-mortar setting wasn’t allowing her to reach her full potential - both socially and academically.
Around that same time, my son overheard our conversations and asked if he could try virtual school as well. After thoughtful discussion, we agreed, and he began his high school journey at PALCS - and he never looked back.
My daughter took a little longer to make the transition, but after seeing her brother's experience and learning about CPFA, she made the leap in 8th grade. For our family, school choice has been transformative.
Peyton and Nick Fritz on the first day of the 2025-2026 school year
With two highly active kids who never really loved traditional schooling, much of our "free" time used to be filled with stress, unfinished work, and frustration. PALCS gave us something invaluable - time and reconnection. Time to be present as a family, time for our kids to work in ways that suit them best, and time to pursue the activities they love.
PALCSrecognizedasTop
Workplace
This spring, Top Workplaces honored PALCS in seven categories that show our dedication to the teachers, staff, and administrators who work hard for our students and families every day. PALCS was recognized for:
PALCSInTheNews
Six PALCS students are serving as Youth Diplomats as part of America250 celebrations. That includes 10 grader Michelle Wallace, who was interviewed for this WHYY article. th
PALCS won eight of their 14 nominations at the Philadelphia Independence Awards, a celebration of the best high school theater in the Philadelphia area That includes major honors for Scarlett Horoho and Zane Zangwill, who were chosen as Jimmy Awards Nominees and were the subject of a feature story on 6ABC news in June.
PALCS senior Liam McKelvey says he plans to use this scholarship money to buy uniforms and pay for other expenses during his time at the U S Naval Academy
PALCS student Violet Scardina is among the 1,800 students selected by Central Electric Cooperative to take part in a special trip to Washington, DC this summer She’ll meet with members of Congress from Pennsylvania, tour the U.S. Capitol, and visit national monuments.
SocialMediaSpotlight
PALCS reaches thousands of people on our social media platforms every month Here’s a look at the stories that had people talking:
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ByJohnWalish,PALCS/USP‘27
ower, I train on mpete in local, mpetitions. All eting takes 20out the school nd its University balance rowing of 5-7 AP and ch year It’s a ton of ankful that ble
This does not come without sacrifices, the biggest being the inability to stay or participate in activities that begin when classes end at 3:15 p.m. This is a common issue for students who compete on their zoned school’s varsity teams, which begin practice or games daily at 2:30 p.m. At PALCS, these students can join programs that meet during the school day and lunch, like Interact, AIC Council, and Research Club.
Scholar-athletes make these commitments and trade-offs because sports are a part of who they are. I can’t imagine not being a rower. My friends who compete in hockey, soccer, track, and swimming feel the same way Many students continue these passions in college, and USP has had many of these athletes get recruited to top universities
I’m proud to serve as the first Scholar Athlete Representative, working with student government, PALCS leadership, and the Advanced Ideas Center (AIC) Council My goal is to help tell the amazing stories of scholar-athletes within the PALCS community and beyond
UniversityScholarsProgram
Mock Trial
On Feb 25, the PALCS Mock Trial Team won the Chester County District Finals In a close match with Downingtown Stem, both teams demonstrated their ability to present clear case theories, showcased excellent knowledge of objections, and delivered top tier performances Eight students from University Scholars Program have an undefeated record in the District Trials. This year’s Mock Trial case was about a fictional medical malpractice case- what could go wrong when an athlete eats a raw fox to get faster race times?
Science Fair
AP After Party
The AIC Council held an AP After Party on May 15 for USP students to connect and unwind after taking Advanced Placement exams over the previous two weeks
Students took part in a Powderpuff football game, "Soak A Senior", and opportunities to spend time with classmates before the end of the school year.
Multiple USP students competed in the Chester County Science Fair this fair. Their research explored everything from large language models to arthropod habitats to the brainheart axis. The following students were honored for their poster board presentations:
Trisha M. 3rd place in 10th grade medicine and health (pictured bottom right)
Shreya M 6th grade botany
Ethan W 3rd place in 11th grade computer science (pictured bottom left)
Prisha P 1st place in middle school zoology
Bianca L 2nd place in 10th grade medicine and health
CenterForPerforming andFineArts
Philadelphia Independence Awards
CPFA had its best showing at the Philadelphia Independence Awards, which are given each year to the best high school theater performances in the Philadelphia- area. This year, CPFA had 17 nominations and won the following awards:
Best Show: Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812
Best Ensemble: Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812
Best Female Vocalist: Scarlett Horoho
Best Female Actress: Scarlett Horoho
Best Male Actor: Zane Zangwill
Best Creative Leadership: Ciara McFadden
In addition, Scarlett Horoho and Zane Zangwill were chosen as Jimmy Awards recipients This June, they will attend an intensive Broadway workshop in New York City, staying on campus at Julliard for the week and collaboraing on a performance with the other national Jimmy Award recipients. This fully-funded trip offers access to some of the best performers on Broadway.
This is the first time a CPFA has had even one student earn this award - and we have two students who won in the same year! Most Jimmy Award recipients go on to be on Broadway and lead very successful careers.
Festivals of Music
CPFA honors music ensembles traveled to Myrtle Beach this March for the Festivals of Music The students competed against high school bands from other states and took home multiple awards
CPFA Treble Chorale - 1st place women's choir, Outstanding Choral Ensemble Award (highest scoring choral group in any category)
CPFA Mixed Chorale - 2nd place mixed choir
CPFA Jazz Mavericks - 1st place jazz
ensemble, Outstanding Jazz Ensemble Award, Outstanding Jazz Rhythm Section Award
CPFA Jazz Travelers - 2nd place jazz ensemble
Outstanding Jazz Soloist Award - Julian Hontz, piano
Outstanding Vocalist Award - Tommy Moliterno
ALandmarkYear ForCPFAStudents
By Jason Greenfield CPFA Theatre Department Chair
This has been one of the most extraordinary years in the history of the Center for Performing and Fine Arts program at PALCS. Across all four departments Theatre, Music, Dance, and Fine Arts CPFA students earned recognition at the regional, statewide, and national levels, competing against and often surpassing some of the strongest performing and visual arts programs in the country
The Theatre Department earned 15 major awards from 27 nominations across two prestigious competitions Our production of Lend Me a Tenor received the Cappies Award for Best Play, while Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 won the Philadelphia Independence Award for Best Musical for the second consecutive year.
Most remarkably, two CPFA students were selected as the Greater Philadelphia region's sole representatives to the National High School Musical Theatre Awards the Jimmy Awards chosen from among 33 participating high schools
It’s not just our Theatre Department earning accolades. The Music Department delivered an outstanding performance at the Festivals of Music in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Photo by Daphne Okcuoglu
The Jazz Mavericks earned first place with a Superior Rating and the Richard G. Wells Outstanding Jazz Ensemble Award, while the Treble Chorale achieved a near-perfect score of 98/100, earning first place, a Superior Rating, and the Outstanding Vocal Ensemble Award The festival also awarded a single Outstanding Jazz Soloist honor and a single Outstanding Vocal Soloist honor both went to CPFA students
Academy (AMDA) one of the country's premier conservatories for the performing arts
In Fine Arts, students earned top honors at the Chester County Art Association Student Exhibition, and graduating seniors have been accepted to Pennsylvania College of Arts & Design (PCAD), Kutztown University, and the Rhode Island School of Design one of the most competitive art schools in the nation.
These achievements belong to our students, our faculty, and the entire PALCS community. We are enormously proud of everything they have accomplished this year CPFATheatreDepartmentChair
Mr.Jaso
Photo by Caleb Doranz
Photo by Monica Pica
