Why School Choice—and PA Distance—Made All the Difference
“This is not just a backup plan. It’s a better plan.”
For Teresa Allshouse, the decision wasn’t about choosing the “best” school. It was about choosing the right school—for each of her three very different children.
One of her sons is enrolled at a private all-boys boarding school. Another thrives at PA Distance Learning Charter School. Her youngest, also at PA Distance, has an IEP and receives tailored support to meet his specific learning needs.
“Each of my kids needed something different,” Teresa said. “And that’s okay. That’s why school choice is so important.”
She’s not speaking from theory—she’s speaking from experience.
One Size Doesn’t Fit All
Her oldest son, highly motivated and academically driven, wanted to accelerate his learning. But their local public school didn’t offer the pace or challenge he was looking for.
“We asked about letting him test out of certain things or move ahead,” Teresa recalled. “The answer was basically no.”
Eventually, they found a private school that matched his needs. It wasn’t about prestige—it was about possibility.
“He’s taking college-level courses now, doing exactly what he was capable of doing all along. He just needed the right setting.”
Finding the Right Fit with PA Distance
For her middle son, the struggle was emotional and personal. A history of bullying left him anxious, withdrawn, and deeply unsure of himself.
“We’d try to talk to the school, but it always felt like we were starting over. Like no one knew what had happened before.”
When he transitioned to PA Distance, Teresa says the change was immediate. The daily stress was gone. The pressure to conform, gone. What remained was a kid who could finally focus on learning.
“He started engaging again. He found teachers who cared, and friends he could connect with—even virtually. He got to be himself.”
At PA Distance, he’s built real relationships with students across the state, and feels part of something bigger—without the fear that used to cloud every school day.
Tailored Support for a Neurodivergent Learner
Teresa’s youngest son has an IEP and had long been underserved in traditional settings.
“We were used to having to fight for everything. Every accommodation, every meeting—it was a struggle.”
At PA Distance, the special education support came not just with paperwork, but with understanding. Her son was enrolled in the Odyssey Fellowship, a program that introduced him to coding, electrical engineering, and other hands-on STEM experiences.
“He lit up during those sessions. He felt capable, seen, and curious. That matters.”
The school’s flexibility also allowed him to learn at a pace that matched his strengths and needs, without being penalized for learning differently.
A Shared Message: Let Families Choose
Teresa doesn’t claim that PA Distance—or any one school—is the perfect fit for everyone. But she’s firm in her belief that families should have the freedom to choose what works best.
“We didn’t land in three different schools by accident. We made those decisions carefully—based on who each of our children are.”
She worries about the impact of limiting those choices. About what happens when policy overlooks nuance, or when families are expected to compromise their child’s well-being in order to “fit the system.”
“School choice gave my kids a chance to succeed in ways they couldn’t have in a one-size-fits-all world.”
A Word to Other Parents
To families weighing their options, Teresa offers reassurance.
“It’s okay to think outside the box. You’re not doing anything wrong by looking for a better fit.”
For her family, that better fit came through a combination of approaches. And PA Distance has played a key role in two of those stories—offering structure, support, and connection without sacrificing individuality.
“Every kid deserves a chance to feel safe, to feel challenged, and to feel like they belong. That’s what school should be.”
Why Families Choose PA Distance
Personalized learning tailored to student needs
Safe, inclusive online environment
Live instruction with certified Pennsylvania teachers
Strong special education services and enrichment programs
Public school available to all PA residents (paid for by PA taxpayer dollars)
