New Pa. tuition-free cyber charter school hires leader, enrolling for 2024-25 school year

York, Pa. — Pennsylvania’s newest cyber charter school , Pennwood Cyber Charter School, has hired a new CEO ahead of the upcoming school year.

According to a press release, Chris Moser will serve as Pennwood Cyber Carter School's CEO. Moser has a distinguished career in education with over 20 years of experience in K-12 education.

“We are thrilled to welcome Chris Moser as the CEO; she impressed us with her dedication to student achievement, commitment to fostering an inclusive and collaborative school community, and vision for the future of our school,” said Marc LeBlond, President of the Pennwood Cyber Charter School’s Board in the news release.

As CEO, Moser is tasked with working closely with administrators, teachers, and staff to provide a virtual learning experience for students enrolled in the new school. Approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in January, Pennwood Cyber Charter School said their approach emphasizes both academics and building fundamental life skills.

"This combination fosters the confidence that students need to thrive both in school and in their lives," a news release said. "Taught by state-certified teachers with special training in working in a virtual environment, students will benefit from the proven and nationally recognized Connections Academy program that includes core coursework and a variety of elective opportunities for students to pursue their personal passions. Students will also have opportunities to socialize with their peers and teachers both virtually and in person."

The school will offer students in grades 6-12 access to course offerings with industry-leading partners like Coursera, Acadeum, Credly, and The Home Depot. Additionally, Pennwood Cyber Charter School’s partnership with Drexel University’s Goodwin College of Professional Studies will provide high school students the opportunity to enroll in project-based learning offerings designed to increase employment opportunities and/or college readiness.

"Families will also have access to counseling and mental health resources through the school’s partnership with the Cook Center for Human Connection," according to the school.

“I’m delighted to be joining Pennwood Cyber Charter School at the start of what will be an incredible journey,” said Moser. “Anchored in the school’s mission to provide students a safe, engaging learning environment, my goal is to help prepare students for their future and set them up for success. I look forward to creating a strong community and seeing what we can achieve together.”

About Moser

According to information provided by Pennwood Cyber Charter School:

Prior to joining Pennwood Cyber Charter School, Moser served in various educator, administrator, and advisor roles in Pennsylvania’s K-12 school system and higher education. Most recently, she held the school leader position at Iowa Connections Academy, helping to grow the school to reach more Iowans seeking alternative education options and increasing academic growth and proficiency in math and reading.

She completed her undergraduate degree at Old Dominion University and received a post-baccalaureate teaching certificate at Alvernia University. She obtained her Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration from Wilkes University and, in 2023, she completed her Master of Business Administration degree from Strayer University’s Jack Welch Management Institute.

Cyber school enrollment

Cyber charter schools are publicly funded, tuition-free online schools that offer an alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar schools. Students in cyber charter schools complete their coursework and interact with teachers remotely using the internet and digital learning platforms.

According to the Public Cyber Charter School Association , benefits of cyber schooling include offering a personalized, individualized pace for learners of all kinds; safety of a home environment; reduced stress and obligation for homeschooling parents; less time "wasted" on transportation, changing classes, lunch periods, among others.

Pennwood Cyber Charter School is now enrolling students for the 2024-25 school year. Families interested in learning more are encouraged to attend an online information session to find out if virtual school is the right fit for their students. For more information about Pennwood Cyber Charter School, or to begin the enrollment process, please visit https://www.connectionsacademy.com/pennwood.