Deer Lakes

School District

Lancer Academy

Overview

 
Lancer Academy Online Learning is an online learning option for students who reside in the Deer Lakes School District who will be entering grades K-12. Lancer Academy provides children with a blend of virtual learning and onsite coursework, along with the opportunity to participate in all Middle and High School activities. The program has been developed in collaboration with online learning experts and is based on years of research and best practices for excellence in virtual learning. The goal is to bring flexibility and options to the children of Deer Lakes, while building necessary skills for success. 

Students who participate in Lancer Academy Online Learning will enjoy all the benefits of being a Deer Lakes student, including participating on our athletics teams and other extracurricular activities, attending AW Beattie Career Center, attending school functions and events like Homecoming and the Prom, earning a Deer Lakes School District diploma and participating in graduation ceremonies, while receiving a customized, student-centered education that meets individual educational and social needs.

Flexibility & Student-Centered Choices

Imagine a school day where students are not directed by busses and bell schedules. At Lancer Academy Online Learning, students can choose a schedule and courses that suit them. Because the Center is part of a consortium, students have the option of taking a wide range of online courses in all areas of the curriculum. Students may choose to utilize extended-hour computer labs to complete their courses, or work from home. The labs provide a quiet, well-equipped place for students to work, and the necessary support for those students who are struggling in some areas. The computer lab is staffed by a fully-certified teacher who can provide students with immediate support and assistance. When students are working from home, they will have access to teachers and technical support both online and over the phone. Whatever path your child takes, you can be assured that his or her education will be well supported.

A Quality Online Education Begins Here

Teachers: All courses offered through Lancer Academy Online Learning are taught by highly-qualified, Pennsylvania certified teachers. All teachers have received comprehensive training in best practices and pedagogy for online teaching and interactive learning.

Core Curriculum:  Each Deer Lakes course fully incorporates all standards as set forth by the PA Department of Education for that course. This means that your child can move seamlessly between online courses and the traditional Deer Lakes classroom without experiencing “gaps” in the curriculum. When your child takes an online course, he or she will cover the same high-quality material and objectives as students in Deer Lakes classrooms.

Course Rigor: Each course is designed with the rigor and quality instruction of a traditional classroom. Lessons and assessments are designed to challenge students and encourage inquiry, while fostering individual needs and learning styles. Because students have more flexibility in an online course, they move through material at a more customized pace.

Socialization: Lancer Academy Online Learning believes in the importance of developing a sense of community and socialization within learning experiences. Each course integrates the use of several multimedia tools designed to engage students in the course content, as well as with their peers. This provides students with the ability to discover and share with their online classmates, while building critical skills for interacting and online collaboration.

Engaging Students: Courses are offered through an online environment using both synchronous and asynchronous instruction. Unlike typical courses offered through other online learning institutions, the online courses at Lancer Academy are robust and interactive. Content is presented in a variety of engaging ways using multimedia and collaborative tools. Teachers use the latest tools and emerging technologies to bring course content to life, which results in lessons that intrinsically motivate students and appeal to the preferences of today’s digital learner.

Computer and Internet Access: In Lancer Academy Online Learning, students can be supplied with a laptop fully loaded with the Google Classroom and internet access along with technical support.

Benefits of Blended Learning

Onsite Curriculum: Students who elect a schedule that includes a blended learning environment will have options in the courses they take on campus. The courses listed in the Deer Lakes High School and Deer Lakes Middle School Program of Studies will be available as schedule options. Elementary courses are set by the courses in the program.

Advanced Placement Curriculum: Students who choose a schedule that includes a blended learning environment will be able to select advanced placement courses on campus.

College in High School: The College in High School Program allows students to earn college credits from everal area colleges and universities while taking classes at Deer Lakes High School. The College in High School classes have a minimal tuition fee.

Vocational Technical Programs: In partnership with AW Beattie Career Center, which provides over 20 half-day technical programs, students will have the option to pursue courses in skilled labor and industry-based technology programs.

Onsite Computer Lab: Students enrolled in Lancer Academy have access to technology and support on campus before, during, and after the school day.

Post-Secondary: Students and families will be able to take advantage of college and career planning by participating in assemblies, programs, career and scheduling fairs, onsite visits from college and university representatives and from military personnel.

Contact Lancer Academy

Michael River
Coord., Online Learning Support
 
163 East Union Road
Cheswick, PA 15024
Phone: 724.265.5320 Ext. 2233
 
 

Enrollment

Please click this link to enroll in Lancer Academy or to solicit more information on specific questions you might have from one of our program liassons.

Hours of Operation

Weekdays:  8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Lancer Academy Online Learning, a classroom of the 21st century, combines both traditional and modern modes of education to create a highly supportive and innovative learning program. Deer Lakes partners with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit to provide multiple options for our students.

Lancer Academy provides students with choice to fit their individual needs.

 Students may opt for any of the following options:
  • Full-time cyber school
  • A blended schedule combining online and traditional classes.
  • Or simply one course.
 
 Full-time online students
  • Students are taught how to be a successful online learner while starting their coursework.
  • If students do not prove their ability to complete coursework in a successful and timely manner, then they stay in the lab until they prove otherwise.
  • The support staff and computer lab are minutes away from home in the event that a full-time online student needs to come in to work.
  • Students and families are contacted on a regular basis to report progress.
 
 Single course students
  • Report to the computer lab every day at a scheduled time to work on their online course.
  • A variety of AP courses are available
  • Multiple foreign language options and electives not taught in the high school
 
 Credit recovery students
  • Students can recover lost credit online in the summer, or during the school year when completing their remaining coursework in the classroom.  However, students will be required to pay for those courses.