Jennifer Hincapie – Board Chair, Cyber Academy of South Carolina
More than 10 years ago, I met charter school leaders at a statewide conference and my journey began as a board member, and now chair, of the Cyber Academy of South Carolina.
When I tell people about the fantastic educational experience the academy provides, the first question I get from interested parents is: “how much is the monthly tuition?” My enthusiastic response is always the same: “Nothing! It’s a public school and it’s free!”
As a lifelong supporter of public schools, I took the opportunity to learn as much as I could about the differences between online learning and brick-and-mortar schools. First, you can access school nearly anywhere. This provides both parents and children with flexibility to manage their schedules. This personalized learning program especially benefits student athletes, along with other students who may need increased flexibility during the school day, including students who work to support their families. Some children in our state’s more rural areas may need online options that meet their needs and interests.
Online learning can accommodate each child’s learning needs and preferences. This includes students with special or medical needs, as their teachers can tailor curriculum through the online instruction model that best benefits them.
The online model we use at Cyber Academy can be a very effective option for families. Our teachers bring a strong coaching/mentorship mindset to work every day, knowing that their students are learning virtually. We have approximately 3,500 students from kindergarten through grade 12 from every county in the state. While we teach virtually, we also promote in-person functions as well, such as academic outings and social events. We host online town hall meetings to stay connected with families and offer networking opportunities such as our Beta Club.
The Charter Institute at Erskine, has several free online learning schools in its school district, including Heron Virtual Academy of South Carolina (grades 8-12), Odyssey Online Learning (high school grades 9-12), South Carolina Connections Academy (K-12), and the South Carolina Virtual Charter School (K-12), in addition to the Cyber Academy of South Carolina.
I encourage you to explore all these online learning options. These schools are all tailored to support students achieve their goals and grow academically. Finding the right one that fits your family’s needs is a personal choice that can help your child succeed and achieve their full potential.
Jennifer Hincapie is a mother of three and a lifelong supporter of public schools in South Carolina.
