The Cougar Academy is Palmyra Area School District's cyber school serving students in grades K-12. Enrollment in the Cougar Academy allows the district to deliver the same high-quality education that students in the traditional school receive while keeping funding local.

Elementary and middle-school (K-8) curriculum consists of online courses in the four academic areas of reading/language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies, as well as optional electives. The high school curriculum (9-12) allows students to selet the necessary courses to meet PASD graduation requirements.

If you are interested in enrolling your child in full online classes for the 2025-2026 school year, please complete this Google Form.

To learn more about Cougar Academy, please contact:

Mr. Mike Rashid
Supervisor of Instructional Technology and Online Learning
mike_rashid@pasd.us
(717) 838-1331

Forms & Documents

Course Offerings

Language Arts

K-12 Language Arts
Sports Literature
Journalism
Creative Writing
Research in Genre Based Literature
Speech and Debate

Mathematics

K-7 Mathematics
Pre-Algebra
CP Algebra I A and B
CP Algebra II A and B
CP Geometry
CP Pre-Calculus
CP Calculus
CP Statistics
CP Finite Math

Social Studies

K-8 Social Studies
American Cultures
Civics & Government
World History
Current Events
Psychology and Sociology
You and the Law

Science

K-8 Science
CP Physical Science
CP Biology A and B
CP Chemistry
CP Earth and Environmental Science
CP Physics
CP Forensic Science

Extended-Core Curriculum

Accounting
Art Appreciation
Career and Financial Literacy
Driver’s Ed/Career Ed
Fashion and Interior Design
Health I & II
International Business Internship
Introduction to Marketing

Microsoft Office Projects
Multimedia Web Design
Music Appreciation
Physical Education
Spanish I-IV
Studio Art
Video Game Design

*Additional College Prep and elective courses are available.

FAQs

Will my child receive a Palmyra Area School District diploma?

Yes, Cougar Academy students are considered Palmyra students and will receive a Palmyra diploma.

Can my child participate in extracurricular activities?

Yes, they are eligible to participate in all sports, clubs, and activities.

Does Cougar Academy offer any in-person classes or Hybrid schedules?

Students in the Cougar Academy have an individualized schedule that may be made up of the following options:

Online at home- students have the ability to work completely online at home, similar to a traditional cyber school.
Hybrid schedule- in this model, students would attend PASD classes for a portion of the day and work at home for the other portion.
Hybrid schedule with Cougar Academy room (grades 9-12)- students can take some courses in the high school building and others in the Cougar Academy room during the school day.

Do Cougar Academy students have access to the same educaitonal resources as other students?

Students in our online program have full access to district resources including teachers, administrators, guidance counselors, athletics, performing arts and instrumental lessons. Students have access to the following instructional technology programs depending on grade level: Reading Eggs, Exact Path (Grades 3-5), IXL (Grades 6-8), World Book Online, Brain Pop, and Google Apps for Education.

Do I need to purchase or supply my own technology for my child?

Course instructional materials are provided to access the courses via the Internet. The courses are provided to Palmyra Area School District residents tuition free. Cougar Academy students will receive a laptop, printer/scanner/fax, and reimbursement of Internet service charges for the school year.

Will my child have access to certified teachers?

Although the ability to access the coursework and complete assignments on-line is a vital component of this educational program, the district believes the access to a certified teacher is just as important. Therefore, students work in a direct partnership with a Palmyra Area School District teacher and learning coach using e-mail, phone, and/or instant messaging.

Does my child have a rigid daily schedule or can they work at their own pace?

The courses are designed to allow for a student to work at his or her own pace; however, the student’s teacher and learning coach will monitor progress and offer assistance as needed to complete the coursework in a timely manner. All grades will be kept in PowerSchool so that parents and students can check grades online.