Commonwealth Charter Academy Recognized by Wolf Administration with 2021 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence
Commonwealth Charter Academy Recognized by Wolf Administration with 2021 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence CCA is one of 13 entities to receive this year’s award HARRISBURG – Commonwealth Charter Academy (CCA), Pennsylvania’s largest K through 12 public cyber charter school, today was recognized by the Wolf administration as one of 13 entities across the state […]
10/06/2021
Commonwealth Charter Academy Recognized by Wolf Administration with 2021 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence
CCA is one of 13 entities to receive this year’s award
HARRISBURG – Commonwealth Charter Academy (CCA), Pennsylvania’s largest K through 12 public cyber charter school, today was recognized by the Wolf administration as one of 13 entities across the state to receive the 2021 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence for its AgWorks at CCA facility at its Capital Campus in Harrisburg.
“As a public cyber charter school, CCA is grateful to be recognized for its efforts to implement innovative programs that teach our students about protecting and reducing our impact on the environment,” said CCA’s President and CEO Thomas D. Longenecker. “This award not only highlights the great work of CCA as a school, but it also represents the countless hours of our students and staff who were and are committed to creating, managing, and sustaining AgWorks at CCA. Congratulations to the CCA community.”
As part of the CCAWorks initiative, which is focused on preparing students for postsecondary success, AgWorks at CCA is an indoor, closed-loop, soilless, 6,100-square-foot growing system that uses nearly 95 percent less water than a traditional, outdoor farm.
Powered by 1,050 roof-mounted solar panels, the facility produced more than 422 megawatt-hours in 2020. The energy generated and not used by AgWorks at CCA supplements electrical power at Capital Campus, thereby reducing its reliance on traditional sources of electricity.
AgWorks at CCA was created to teach students about aquaponics, hydroponics, and aeroponics as sustainable ways to decrease waste, protect the environment, and reduce the carbon footprint of agriculture.
Not only does AgWorks at CCA focus on agriculture, but it also serves as a catalyst to train and prepare students for careers in plumbing, heating, HVAC, supply chain management, business, engineering, data analysis, information technology, and art and design.
“As the only public cyber charter school in Pennsylvania to receive this award, CCA is grateful for the Wolf administration’s recognition of the hard work of our students and staff,” said Longenecker. “Charter schools are to be innovative and forward-thinking. I am proud to say that CCA upholds these tenets as it continues to think outside the box and put into place programs and initiatives that benefit students throughout Pennsylvania.”
Media Contact: Tim Eller, 717-710-3335, [email protected]
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Commonwealth Charter Academy (CCA) is Pennsylvania’s largest public cyber charter school serving nearly 19,000 students in grades K through 12. With nearly 20 years of experience in delivering online education, CCA provides flexible, personalized, and student-focused education programs and services. CCA is a family service organization that creates an educational experience and social learning opportunities for the entire family, including more than 700 educational field trips, hands-on workshops, community events, and more.
