Enrollment Guide

The process of enrollment in Mountie Academy begins at home between a student and their parents/guardians. Moving from in-person learning to online learning is a significant educational decision that will require different skills from the student like increased self-discipline to keep pace with assignments and from families to provide a learning space at home. It is important for families to discuss the reasons behind this choice, the student’s ability, and the impact on the family.

Although online learning offers many opportunities, it is not an effective means to escape school-based problems. If your student is experiencing a school-based problem, please work directly with your school counselor for possible solutions other than online learning.

We want students to find success and we believe that the best option begins in school with teachers and peers. However, for some students in certain situations or with certain goals, online learning makes more sense. Talk it over and then schedule a meeting with your student’s counselor.

Mountie Academy is a privilege offered to students when it aligns with their educational goals. As a privilege it comes with clear expectations to maintain placement. Initial enrollment in Mountie Academy requires all the following items below. Once the criteria below are met, the student may be placed in Mountie Academy.

1. The student must be a South Williamsport Area School District resident.
2. Parent/Guardians(s) must follow district enrollment procedure, policies, and guidelines.
3. Parent/Guardians(s) and students must meet with South Williamsport Area School District designated personnel to enroll in the program and review the student’s educational record to develop a cyber program to meet student needs.
4. An IEP meeting will be held for students with special education services prior to any enrollment actions to determine if cyber learning is appropriate for the student and to modify the IEP to align with a cyber-based education program (students with IEPs must still complete progress monitoring).
5. Parent/Guardians(s) and students must sign the Acknowledgement of Understanding (located in this packet).
6. Grades earned in approved cyber courses count toward a student’s grade point average and eligibility for athletic and extracurricular activities.
7. Students must be able/permitted to participate in live virtual meetings such as Zoom.

Student Expectations

After the two (2) week trial period, continuation of enrollment is evaluated each marking period based on the criteria below:

1. Meet all established course deadlines
2. Actively participate in coursework by meeting the minimum number of assignments per week (varies by course)
3. Make a good faith effort in all academic areas
4. Document evidence of active, regular participation in accordance with course requirements to satisfy compulsory attendance laws which apply to all students
5. Maintain regular contact with course teachers and South Williamsport Area School District personnel
6. Take the PSSA or Keystone Exams at the appropriate grade level(s) (This will be scheduled through the appropriate school counselor)
7. If progress is not being made, a student will be required to check in weekly with a representative from the school district

Parent/Guardian Expectations

1. Assure compliance with South Williamsport Area School District policies and procedures
2. Provide an appropriate work environment for the student at home
3. Make a commitment to assist and monitor your student throughout their learning time
4. Monitor student progress using the provided login information
5. Assure that your student is actively participating in all course requirements and opportunities
6. Remember that compulsory attendance laws apply to cyber school students (excuses should be sent to cpinkerton@swasd.org
7. Ensure that student is checking in, if required, with a representative from the school district

District Expectations

1. Provide a rigorous and relevant online learning program that meets student needs and aligns with the district grade-level curriculum sequence
2. Monitor student progress and communicate with the student and family as needed
3. Provide students with guidance in regards to credit and course selection
4. Track credits towards graduation
5. Provide health, counseling, and other district services for the student to remove barriers to learning

The goal of Mountie Academy is for students seeking an alternative online option to achieve success. Success is measured by:

• Maintaining course programs along the timeline prescribed for the student
• Completion of coursework materials within the marking period date
• Passing of courses on the SWASD grade scale
• Acquisition of grade level credits towards graduation (9-12)
• Appropriate and regular communication between Mountie Academy staff and course instructors.

When students fail to meet the indicators of success within the two weeks trial period or at the conclusion of each marking period, they will return to the school.

When student fail to be successful during the marking period, they will return to the school at the end of the marking period in which they are not meeting all criteria. Students and parents will be notified using email, phone, and/or written communication. The student’s school counselor will be notified of the return date for the scheduling of courses. Once parents and the student are notified of the return date, any absences from school after that date will follow district compulsory attendance policies.

Return dates for the 2026-27 school year:

• Quarter 1: 10/30/26
• Quarter 2: 1/19/27
• Quarter 3: 3/30/27

When students are not successful and return to school, at the discretion of the district, they may be permitted to use their own time to complete outstanding online courses for credit. Students will not receive any new online courses.

Mountie Academy student’s attendance and course completion will follow the regular school year calendar including vacation, inclement weather, or other school closures. For example, if school is closed on Friday, Mountie Academy students, may, but are not required to complete courses. However, if the district schools transition to remote learning due to a winter storm, Mountie Academy students are also required to continue with coursework as normal.  

 

Mountie Academy Start Date:  August 21, 2026

Last Day for Seniors:  May 21, 2027

Last doy for all other students:  May 26, 2026

 

 

As with in-person learning, families are required to provide many general supplies students need for classes. For example, items such as glue sticks, paper, pencils, scissors, and calculators are not supplied by the school.

Transportation to and from the home to the school building for educational opportunities, cocurricular, athletic, and social opportunities is the responsibility of the parent/guardian, unless during a regularly scheduled pick-up/drop-off time. Students must be rostered on a bus to ride it at any point to and from school and will be picked up/dropped off at their assigned stop.

In Pennsylvania, parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring that their student(s) attend school. It is the responsibility of the family to ensure the student logs onto the courses to maintain appropriate pacing requirements.

Online students are South Williamsport Area School District students who are expected to comply with state, district, and school policies and guidelines. As online students, they assume a special responsibility to actively participate in the courses because of the unique independence that is offered to them. Time spent daily on coursework is similar to the time spent in school. The district and its partner will monitor a student’s active engagement in the courses with the expectation that the course will be successfully completed within the time prescribed by the district.

Students who are not meeting the required academic progress will be supported with an attendance improvement plan. If necessary, students may be required to return to the building for additional support.

When students are not able to comply with the attendance policy due to illness, medical appointment, or other legally excusable reason, the parent/ guardian(s) must submit an excuse. This is in accordance with district policy and state law. Truancy charges are applicable when regular attendance requirements and work production deadlines are not met.

Lack of connectivity is not an excused absence. Students are expected to have a secondary plan for internet access to maintain course completion schedules. If your student’s alternate plan is not feasible due to extreme circumstances, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian(s) to notify the school within 24 hours.

 

Pennsylvania Compulsory Education Laws

The term compulsory school age in Pennsylvania refers to the period of a child's life from the time the child enters school as a beginner (kindergarten or first grade), which may be no later than six years of age, until the age of eighteen or graduation from a high school, whichever occurs first. It is mandatory for all children of compulsory school age having a legal residence in Pennsylvania to attend a day school in which the subjects and activities prescribed by the Standards of the State Board of Education are taught in the English language, except in certain situations found in sections 1327, 1327.1, 1329, and 1330 of the Pennsylvania School Code.

All students from age 6 until age 18 are required to participate in an approved educational program. Parents or guardians are required by law to ensure that their children attend an approved educational program.

The following chart provides a quick overview of Pennsylvania’s educational laws regarding compulsory school attendance.

Code Section	Tit. 24 §§13-1326, et seq.
Age at Which School Attendance is Required	Between 6 and 18 or at the time of the child’s life that they have entered school
Exceptions to Attendance Requirements	Graduated high school; 15 and with approval, child may enroll in private trade school; enrolled in home education program pursuant to Tit. 24 §13-1327.1 or private school; physical/mental defects rendering education impracticable; 16 and lawfully employed; 15 and engaged in farming or domestic service or 14 if engaged in same having achieved highest elementary grade; resides over 2 miles from nearest public highway, school or free public transportation is not furnished
Home School Provisions	File annual notice with a notarized affidavit of various information including proposed education objectives and immunization record; evaluation by teacher or administrator; minimum course requirements at each educational level; portfolio of records and materials
Penalties on Parents for Noncompliance	Up to $300, together with costs and upon default of payment subjected to county jail up to 5 days
Source: http://law.findlaw.com/state-laws/compulsory-education/pennsylvania/PA Compulary Educaton Law Chart

 

Although the compulsory education law defines the starting age as 6 years, the South Williamsport Area School District implements these regulations as soon as a student enrolls in the school system. For example, if a student is enrolled in kindergarten at the age of 5 or 6 years old, the district will implement the attendance laws for that child. All students enrolled in the district prior to the age of 6 must abide by the attendance laws.

 

Absence from School

Absence is defined as the nonattendance of a student on a day that school is in session. It is expected that a parent/guardian notify the school about the student’s illness or family emergency on the day of the absence.

 

Unlawful Absence (under 18 years of age)/Unexcused Absence (18 years of age or older)

Parents/guardians must provide a written explanation for the absence of their student. All absences should be treated as unlawful until the school district receives a written excuse explaining the reason(s) for an absence. Parents/guardians and students should submit the written explanation within three (3) school days of the absence. If no written explanation is provided, the absence is recorded as unexcused/unlawful. Likewise, if a written explanation offers an excuse for absence that is not allowable (as outlined in Board policy no. 204 of this attendance manual), the absence will be recorded as unexcused/unlawful. If a written explanation is questionable in nature, the absence will be investigated. An absence only becomes excused when the school codes it accordingly.

When students under the age of 18 have an unexcused absence, the absence will be counted as unlawful. As per the Pennsylvania Department of Education, all unlawful absences are considered truant.

Unexcused absences include absence from school due to parental neglect, parental consent for reasons other than those specifically excused, illegal employment, and truancy.

 

Lawful Absence

A lawful absence from school is broadly defined by the state. Excused absences from school at the South Williamsport Area School District include the following:

• Illness

• Prearranged medical, dental, clinic, or hospital appointment

• Court appearances

• Funeral of relative

• Educational trips preapproved by the appropriate administrator not to exceed a total of (5) school days

• Pre-approved annual visits to post-secondary options: college, trade schools, or job site

• Authorized school activities

• Family emergencies

• Observance of student’s religious holiday

• Participation in religious instruction program - maximum of 36 hours annually

• Attendance at PA State Farm Show - one (1) day only

• Participation in a 4-H, FFA or combined 4-H and FFA project - upon written request

• Participation in a musical performance in conjunction with a national veterans’ organization or incorporated unit, as defined in law, for an event or funeral.

 

The building administrator may require a doctor’s certificate in situations where frequent absences are occurring and/or it appears absences are unexcused and/or unlawful. This requirement may remain in effect for the remainder of the school year.

A maximum of ten (10) days of cumulative lawful absences verified by parental notification are permitted during a school year. All cumulative lawful absences verified by parent note beyond ten (10) days will require an excuse from a physician. Students who are legally absent have the opportunity to make up any work missed. It is expected that students complete the work within the time frame allotted by school staff.

In addition to maintaining regular coursework and pacing, it is essential for students and families to maintain regular contact with the Mountie Academy district staff. For students, this communication is via school issued email. For parents, personal email and/or phone contact may be used.

Online students must meet board approved requirements for graduation as posted in the Jr/Sr High School student handbook at the District website.

Students who decide to withdraw from a class must decide within five (5) days of the starts of the course.

Online students must have finished all course assignments by the last day listed for their courses.