CCA Statement to PennLive – Facilities

December 31, 2025

Below is the full statement CCA sent to a PennLive reporter on December 19, 2025, for inclusion in the article published by PennLive on December 31, 2025: Pa.’s largest cyber school is spending $700 million on a network of buildings

“At the outset, there are two points that are important for you to present accurately in your story.

“First, CCA’s plans to provide Family Service Centers across the state have not meant we sacrificed on staffing for students. In fact, you’ve attended our Board meetings and heard that we are better staffed than we’ve ever been, and, in some respects, even better than many other public schools. CCA focuses its hiring efforts on teachers, with 78% of our staff comprising teachers, compared to a statewide average of 50% of public school staff who are teachers. Any criticism of our staffing or statements by other schools about our priorities is ill-informed and misplaced.

“Second, there is no contradiction in CCA’s position on the use of Family Service Centers for in-person staff development and a public cyber charter school providing online learning for students. This is why we host family and student meetings, field trips (in addition to other field trips around the state), CCAWorks programs, and other activities in our Family Service Centers. We believe students, like adults, benefit from opportunities to interact and learn in person as part of their cyber school experience; having Family Service Centers across the state serves this purpose.

“Regarding the other items you mentioned, CCA’s consistent approach to serving students and families has always been rooted in a long-term vision that balances innovation in remote learning with meaningful, strategic in-person engagement. Well before the pandemic, CCA recognized the value of creating physical spaces where students and families could access academic support, enrichment opportunities, and a sense of community. Our Family Service Centers are not the primary reason families choose CCA, but they provide a tangible layer of support that complements our remote learning model, offering accountability, social connection, and direct assistance when it is needed most. We listen closely to our families, and offering local support was very important to them. Even though students are learning remotely, they remain an integral part of the school community.

“Contrary to some reports suggesting surprise over our investment in buildings, our families and local communities have long understood the value these centers provide. The auditor general raised questions, but in practice, families appreciate seeing their school present in the community, knowing they can meet with teachers and staff and receive support when needed. These spaces represent our commitment to students and families, enhancing accessibility and engagement throughout the state.

“CCA’s Family Service Centers also serve as the primary workplaces for our staff, allowing educators and support teams to live and work in the same communities as the families they serve. Rather than centralizing all staff in a single location in central Pennsylvania, we maintain locations throughout the state, ensuring that our teams are locally accessible and connected to the communities in which students and families live. This decentralized model strengthens relationships, allows for more responsive support, and reinforces our commitment to serving families where they are. Furthermore, our Family Service Centers also serve as locations for state testing (PSSA and Keystone); Act 158 graduation requirements/alternate testing (ACT, ASVAB, ACT WorkKeys, etc.); English Learner testing, which must be completed in person; field trips and activities; career-readiness programming; and where enrolled families can seek tutoring, technology, or other assistance.

“Our commitment to owning rather than leasing these buildings reflects a deliberate strategy to maximize long-term financial sustainability while maintaining flexibility in how we support students. By avoiding long-term debt and rental obligations, we are able to reinvest in both the infrastructure and the professionals who deliver high-quality instruction and support. At the same time, we continue to prioritize professional development for our staff, ensuring that our teachers and support teams are fully equipped to serve students across a distributed learning environment. While students benefit from remote learning, adults gain from collaborative, in-person training that enhances the quality of virtual instruction and strengthens outcomes across the state.

“Every investment CCA makes – whether in buildings, technology, or people – is extensively discussed in light of current and future student needs. Our strategy aims to strike a balance between immediate resources and long-term sustainability, providing a stable foundation that enables us to adapt to changes in funding and policies while keeping students’ educational experience at the center of what we do. We believe that this integrated approach – combining innovative, high-quality remote learning with strategically located, locally embedded spaces and strong support for our staff – is what allows CCA to continue serving families and students responsibly, efficiently, and effectively.”