Enroll in Our Harrisburg, PA, Cyber School for Grades K–12

PA Distance Learning is a public cyber charter school serving Harrisburg, PA, and Dauphin County families in grades K–12. No tuition is charged to families, and the cost is covered by taxpayer dollars. We've operated as a Pennsylvania cyber charter school since 2004. 

Enrolled students receive a school-issued laptop, curriculum materials, and hands-on learning kits. Live daily classes are taught in real time by PA-certified teachers, with office hours at 3:00 p.m. every day. And seniors near Harrisburg walk across the stage at our annual in-person graduation ceremony in Reading, PA, roughly an hour's drive away.

Philadelphia Cyber School

A Public Cyber Charter School Serving Harrisburg, PA Families

Every student learns differently. When your family needs a new fit, a Harrisburg, PA, cyber school like PA Distance offers structure, live instruction, and a certified teacher who knows your child by name.

As a Pennsylvania public school, we charge no tuition to families, and the cost is covered by taxpayer dollars through your home district. Any Pennsylvania resident in grades K–12 is eligible to enroll.

Learn about Enrollment and Eligibility

Which Harrisburg-Area School Districts Can Enroll?

Any Pennsylvania resident in grades K–12 can enroll at our cyber school in Harrisburg, PA, no matter their local district. Dauphin County districts include:

  • Harrisburg City School District

  • Central Dauphin School District (the county's largest district)

  • Susquehanna Township School District

  • Steelton-Highspire School District

  • Lower Dauphin School District

  • Middletown Area School District

  • Derry Township School District (Hershey)

  • Halifax Area School District

  • Millersburg Area School District

  • Upper Dauphin Area School District

  • Williams Valley School District

Families in Cumberland, Perry, Lebanon, and York counties are also eligible, along with residents anywhere else in Pennsylvania.

As a PA cyber charter school serving Harrisburg families, PA Distance receives funding from your home district. The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires parents to verify residency once each school year, between July 1 and September 30. We send the paperwork and a reminder ahead of the deadline. The form takes just a few minutes.

Teacher Voices

  • "I love that I am surrounded by highly trained staff that I can learn from and that I do work each day that I am passionate about and makes a difference in student lives."

    — Ms. Budd, Career Education & Work

  • "PA Distance is a community of educators and learners. To us, teaching is not just a job, it's a craft. We continuously strive to be better teachers than we were the year prior. Stagnancy is short-lived. Routine isn't routine."

    — Mr. Mysels, High School Social Studies

  • "At PA Distance, we care about the students' academic well-being. Not all students are the same, and we are willing to personalize their learning experience."

    — Ms. Smialek, Assistant Principal

  • "Students need a partnership. They need a teacher to work with them in real-time, as large groups, in small groups, and one-on-one sessions to ensure their learning needs are being met, and they are experiencing academic growth."

    — Ms. Heiles, Assistant Principal

Educational Programs

  • Online School Philadelphia

    Blended Learning Model

    Our hybrid model balances synchronous Live Classes with asynchronous Independent Lessons. Each schedule is built around how your child learns, not a fixed period bell.

  • Philadelphia Cyber Charter School

    K–12 Education and Beyond

    Beyond elementary, middle, and high school programs, PA Distance runs specialized tracks including full virtual special education services and enrollment support for students experiencing homelessness.

  • Cyber school in Philadelphia

    Support In and Out of the Classroom

    Families at our Harrisburg online school work with a dedicated staff team focused on each student's academic and personal growth.

  • k-12 online school philadelphia

    Forward-Thinking Academics

    PA Distance's career education and work program helps students identify their skills and interests, then build coursework around them.

Why Our Online School Is a Top Choice Among Harrisburg Parents

Families comparing Harrisburg online schools tend to ask the same questions. Here's what makes PA Distance a strong fit for those who choose us.

  • A safe place to learn: Students work from home in an environment your family controls. That matters for kids dealing with bullying, medical anxiety, or a school that isn't the right fit.

  • Real teachers, real classes: Live classes run in real time with PA-certified teachers. Independent Lessons fill the days between. Daily 3:00 p.m. office hours give students someone to reach.

  • Personalized support: Smaller class sizes and direct teacher access let students catch up or move ahead at their own pace.

  • Flexibility for real life: Medical needs, competitive athletics or arts, or a different learning style. Our blended learning model adjusts to your family's schedule.

  • Counseling and mental-health support: Full-time school counselors work with students on academic, emotional, and social growth alongside instruction.

State Testing and Assessment

Students at PA Distance take the same statewide assessment system as every Pennsylvania public school. That includes PSSA in English Language Arts and Math for grades 3–8, Science PSSA in grades 4 and 8, and Keystone Exams in Literature, Algebra I, and Biology, taken on course completion or in 11th grade.

Testing works the same way for every Pennsylvania public school student. PA Distance coordinates logistics with families directly, including test-day arrangements at approved locations. Learn more on our student testing page.

Philadelphia Cyber School

Accreditation & Accountability

PA Distance is a Pennsylvania public school authorized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Beyond state assessments, students take benchmark tests year-round (Acadience for K–2, CDT for grades 3–12, IXL, LinkIt!) that give teachers continuous data on every student's growth.

PA Distance is also recognized as a Common Sense School, reflecting our work teaching digital citizenship and responsible technology use at every grade level.

Online School Philadelphia

Graduation for Harrisburg, PA, Students

PA Distance holds an annual in-person graduation ceremony for seniors across Pennsylvania, including students from Harrisburg, PA. Recent ceremonies have been held in Reading, PA, with a smaller ceremony at our Pittsburgh office. Seniors and their families gather with teachers and classmates, and each graduate walks across the stage in caps and gowns to receive a high school diploma.

For Harrisburg-area families, the Reading ceremony is about an hour's drive, not a trip across the state. Grandparents, siblings, and friends can be there in person to see the moment your child worked toward for thirteen years.

Computer Science for All

PA Distance offers virtual high school students computer science electives in programming, coding, and video game design. Our Computer Science Team's principle: computer science is attainable for every student, whatever their background.

Philadelphia Cyber Charter School

Support for Every Student

Interventionists, counselors, teachers, and student support staff meet each student where they are. Our Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework builds academic, behavioral, and social growth.

Students with IEPs or 504 plans receive full special education services, including speech and language, occupational and physical therapy, social work, counseling, and psychological evaluations. Families with questions about eligibility can request an evaluation, which is covered by taxpayer dollars rather than billed to families.

PA Distance serves students experiencing homelessness under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act. Enrollment is available immediately, regardless of housing documentation.

Cyber school in Philadelphia

Student Socialization

The after-school clubs program at PA Distance gives students a way to build friendships, pick up hobbies, and get a feel for real career paths. Learn more about our activities.

  • 20+ Clubs! Students can sign up for any of the 20+ clubs offered each year, from Dungeons and Dragons to Cooking Club. There is truly something for everyone.

  • What do clubs mean to you? "It's a really good environment… something to look forward to every week!" — Grace A. "I was nervous transferring from another school. Joining a club made it very easy to make friends." — Alexandria G.

  • "Clubs have helped school come to life for me" After-school clubs offer a place for students to build relationships, share hobbies and interests, and feel a deeper sense of community here at PA Distance, all while having tons of fun.

  • When do the clubs meet? Each club session lasts an hour or two, once per week or once every other week. They can be held Monday through Friday between 3:30 and 7:00 p.m. Club dates and times are set by the club sponsor and shared with students prior to registering.

Opportunities to Help Your Child Grow

  • Evidence-based education practices

  • Field trips and live learning opportunities

  • Hybrid educational models

  • Personalized schooling

  • Extracurricular activities

  • Office hours and engaged instruction

How to Enroll

Switching schools is a big decision, but the process here is simple. Our team walks you through every step.

  1. Submit a request form: Fill out the online form. It takes 10 to 15 minutes. We'll follow up by email with a full application link.

  2. Quick phone consultation: Our enrollment team calls Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., to review your application. Enrollment can't move forward until this call is complete.

  3. Upload your documents: Upload proof of age, Pennsylvania residency, and immunization records through a secure link we send you.

  4. Verify your Harrisburg address once each year: Between July 1 and September 30, you'll confirm your residency with PA Distance. We send the paperwork and a reminder.

PA cyber charter schools often fill grade levels ahead of the school year, so apply early to secure your child's spot.

Eligibility: Pennsylvania resident, grades K–12, under age 21. Kindergarteners must be 5 by their home district's first day of school. Reliable high-speed internet is required by the first day of school.

Have questions? Call 1.888.997.3352, option 1, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Start Your Application
View Eligibility & Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

  • No tuition is charged to families, and the cost is covered by taxpayer dollars. PA Distance is a public school funded through your home school district. Enrollment in our cyber school in Harrisburg, PA, includes school-issued materials and full access to teachers and staff, also covered by taxpayer dollars.

  • A cyber charter school is a fully online public school authorized by the state and accountable to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Students work with certified teachers and support services, like in any district school. PA Distance has been one of the cyber charter schools serving Harrisburg, PA, since 2004.

  • It depends on the child. For students dealing with bullying, a poor school fit, or a need for more flexibility, an online school in Harrisburg, like PA Distance, can be a strong option. Teachers are PA-certified, the curriculum meets state standards, and support is available daily.

  • K–12, from kindergarten through 12th grade.

  • Start at padistance.org/enrollment. Complete the request form, connect with our team by phone, and upload the required documents. We're available at 1.888.997.3352, option 1, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

  • Any Pennsylvania resident in grades K–12 can enroll, regardless of district. That includes Harrisburg City, Central Dauphin, Susquehanna Township, Steelton-Highspire, Lower Dauphin, Middletown Area, Derry Township (Hershey), Halifax Area, Millersburg Area, Upper Dauphin Area, and Williams Valley districts, plus every other district in Pennsylvania.

  • Item descriYes, once a year. Pennsylvania requires cyber charter families to submit a residency verification form and proof of address to PA Distance between July 1 and September 30. We send the form and a reminder beforehand, then forward everything to your home school district.ption

See our full list of FAQs

Ready to Get Started?

PA Distance is a Harrisburg, PA cyber school built for families ready to make a change. Whether you're comparing online schools in Harrisburg for the first time or already know what you're looking for, contact us today to start the conversation.

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