PA Cyber Celebrates 25 Years of Educational Excellence

The school’s early success expanded school choice across Pennsylvania.

September 2, 2025

The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School (PA Cyber), Pennsylvania’s longest-operating cyber charter school, proudly celebrates 25 years of innovative education as it welcomes students to the 2025–2026 school year. Serving 11,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade, PA Cyber has empowered families statewide with flexible, high-quality learning options since 2000, when the school began to serve students who needed more schooling options.

Decades ago, about 200 students from Midland began a nomadic existence when their high school closed. First, they were accepted by a neighboring high school for several years until the arrangement ended. Then they were welcomed by a high school in Ohio, drawing Pennsylvania tax funds out of state. In the late 90s, while the United States was preparing for Y2K, the Midland School Board and a small group of volunteers were planning to use the new charter school law to educate students over the internet.

“PA Cyber began as a way to serve Midland students who were left behind by the public school system and others like them,” said Brian Hayden, the school’s chief executive officer. “It became a vital component of school choice for students throughout Pennsylvania.”

The Western Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School opened in the fall of 2000 and enrolled 500 students. “Western” was later dropped from the school’s name, as students from all over the commonwealth enrolled. Today, the school has 11,000 students, 800 full-time employees, and nine regional offices.

PA Cyber graduates from every county in the commonwealth have chosen this cyber school as a foundation for their lifelong plans. They successfully transition into the workplace, post-secondary classroom, family farm or business, military, and home. For students who choose PA Cyber for their entire schooling (grades K-12), the graduation rate is 97% (2023–2024 school data).

Alum Christina Bingman, Class of 2011, changed schools often as a child and experienced social anxiety. Her life improved when she enrolled at PA Cyber, which she credits with “completely changing” her. “PA Cyber set me up with a good foundation of believing in myself,” she said. She plans to complete her bachelor’s in environmental science this fall and become a technician in the oil and gas industry.

Steve Robinson, President of PA Cyber’s Board of Directors, notes, “As we reflect on 25 years, we celebrate the families who have entrusted us with their children’s learning and the educators and staff whose dedication has built our strong community.”

PA Cyber looks forward to building on this success and continuing to serve Pennsylvania students who are searching for a better educational fit. Learn more here about what PA Cyber offers students when it comes to school choice.

Media Contact

jennie.harris@pacyber.org

About PA Cyber

Serving students in kindergarten through 12th grade, the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School is the longest-operating online public school in Pennsylvania. PA Cyber’s online learning environments, personalized instructional methods, and curricula choices connect Pennsylvania students and families with state-certified and highly qualified teachers and rich academic content aligned to state standards. Founded in 2000, PA Cyber is headquartered in Midland (Beaver County) and maintains a network of support offices throughout the state. As a public school, PA Cyber is open for enrollment to any school-age child residing in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.