Mister Peters, speaking at the Keystone Central School District board work session on May 1, introduced the district’s Virtual Academy and described plans to expand course access and launch a dual‑enrollment option for the 2025–26 school year.

Peters said the academy uses multiple online platforms through partners he named as the Capital Area Online Learning Association (CAOLA, referred to in the meeting as Kayola) and Central Intermediate Unit 10. “Take an opportunity to talk to the board this evening a little bit about our virtual academy here in Keystone Central School District,” Peters said, describing the presentation materials and video links the district will share with families and staff.

Why it matters: district leaders said the academy gives students flexible scheduling, supports students with health or social‑emotional needs, and lets full‑time or hybrid students remain connected to local extracurriculars, counseling and special education services. Peters said the district wanted to attract students who had left for other cyber programs and to make in‑district online offerings competitive.

Board context and details: Peters said the online consortium materials show broad participation across Pennsylvania; he described access to “more than 400 courses” and a range of STEM, language and career electives that the district cannot offer in every in‑person setting. He said the district’s Virtual Academy can be full‑time online at home, full‑time in an on‑site online classroom, or hybrid with a mix of in‑person and online coursework; students may combine Career and Technical Center (CTC) blocks with online classes. Peters also said the district will provide mentors, school counselors, special education services and technology support to academy students.

New dual‑enrollment pathway: Peters said a new dual‑enrollment feature available through the online platforms (via Edison Learning as one vendor) will expand access to college‑level courses from regionally accredited institutions. “It makes it easier for students to access college level courses regardless of their geographical location,” he said, and added that the district expects the option to let students earn college credit while in high school and reduce postsecondary costs.

Cost comparisons and enrollment goal: Peters described typical costs charged when students enroll in outside cyber programs: about $300 per course, roughly $2,400 for eight credits a year for a regular education student, about $15,000 for a student sent to an outside cyber program, and roughly $30,000 for a student with an IEP placed outside the district. Peters framed those figures when explaining the district’s aim to recruit students back into KCSD offerings.

Board questions and next steps: Board members asked about hybrid models and potential partnerships with other districts for shared CTC access; Peters said other districts have inquired about partnering with KCSD CTC programs and that such conversations are ongoing. The presentation materials and video links will be posted on the district website and used in family outreach and staff training ahead of the coming school year.

No formal vote or policy change was taken during the work session; the presentation concluded with the board inviting follow‑up questions and discussion at later meetings.