PALCS Student shows goats in the 2019 Pennsylvania Farm Show

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Student Spotlight: Grace Heckendorn

Meet Jaclynn Grace Heckendorn, a 10^th grader at PALCS. After hearing about PALCS through her best friend, Grace started her cyber-education journey with us when she was in 6^th grade. In her spare time, Grace raises, breeds, sells, and shows goats!

Why PALCS?

PALCS’ flexible schedule allows Grace to spend more time with her goats than she ever could in a regular brick and mortar school. Grace says that her experience with PALCS so far has been great! She feels as though she is getting a better education, and “loves [her] teachers, classes, and that there are so many different electives to take.”

Where It All Began…

Grace grew up with a passion for animals, as her parents always had pets. When she was six years old, she got a pony, and then shortly after the Heckendorn’s decided to get goats. “Our neighbors raised goats, so we decided to buy a male and a female.” Grace explains that the female goats are referred to as “does”, and the neutered males are called “wethers”. Grace and her family currently have about twenty goats, and four that are currently pregnant.

Grace has been raising goats for seven years now, and shows in local fair’s and farm shows. This past summer, Grace won the Reserve Grand Champion Market Goat at the Dayton Fair 2018.

Tips for Showing

When showing animals, appearance, grooming, and showmanship are all factors that are taken into account when being judged. According to the American Goat Society (AGS), “a good showman is a person that can effectively present an animal in such a way as to enhance its best characteristics.” AGS continues to explain that during the shows, “you are judged on your abilities to both control and present your animal, and how you and your animal can work together as a team. Advance planning and practice are the keys to becoming a good showman.”

Good Luck!

We wish Grace the very best as she competes this upcoming week in the Harrisburg Farm Show. Grace will have an area set up at the Farm Show on Thursday, January 10^th and Saturday, January 12^th where she will be showcasing her breeding goats. Be sure to stop by and say hello!

Thank you, Grace, for speaking with us and sharing your story! Keep up the hard work!

By PALCS Information Team|2024-07-24T03:03:19-04:00January 9th, 2019|Categories: Latest News, Student Spotlight|

About the Author: PALCS Information Team

The Information Team: This team manages the content on this blog, which provides interesting content related to our school and education at large. The information team also help prospective families on their journey to enrollment.

PALCS graduates have attended schools ranging from small private colleges such as Grove City, Washington and Jefferson, Allegheny, Messiah and LaSalle; major state universities like Penn State, Pitt, Temple and Drexel; and Ivy League schools like Princeton, Harvard and Yale.
PALCS students can start exposure to a foreign language as young as Kindergarten!
In 2018, 93 students took 162 AP exams with an average score of 3.9. 87% of these students obtained a score of 3 or higher.
Students can read and contribute to PA Leadership’s award-winning online student newspaper, “The Talon”, which is edited by students in our Journalism course. PALCS Student Government also produces a newsletter, “The Observer”.
According to state law, cyber school students may continue to participate in extra-curricular activities and sports through their local schools.
PALCS students can go on many educational, science-related field trips. We’ve gone to Physics Days at Hersheypark and Kennywood, SciTech Days at the Carnegie Science Center, the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Zoos and more!
The PALCS University Scholars Program hosts two National Academic Quiz Tournament teams that compete and perform well at the national tournament level. A PALCS student was named to the 2016 Pennsylvania National All-Star Scholastic Tournament team.
PALCS has an in-house video production studio so teachers can make dynamic videos for their lessons.
PALCS focuses on weekly flexibility. Students can generally work one-to-two weeks ahead in their courses.
The guidance department at PALCS offers access to Career Cruising, a website that helps students explore career possibilities.
Students in our art classes receive an art kit with a variety of materials such as paint and clay. Painted or drawn pictures can be scanned into the computer via the provided printer/copier/scanner. Students can use their provided webcam to take a picture of sculptures and models.
While equipment is provided, PALCS families can access school from any device with an Internet connection.
There are a 368 courses available at PALCS. 49 courses are offered to to elementary students, 43 to middle school, and 56 core courses and 101 electives to high school students. For middle and high school students, the University Scholars Program adds an additional 42 courses and the Center for Performing and Fine Arts adds 77.
The PALCS Network is an online social community and resource for PALCS families to connect with other parents and students. We have optional activities and field trips around the state to keep students engaged and active!
PALCS provides computer programs and websites to complete virtual labs for science courses.
Talented PALCS students have performed on many stages and have been heard on the radio across the state. Students have even performed at prestigious Carnegie Hall and on Broadway in New York City.
PALCS opened its digital doors on September 13, 2004. Over 2000 young adults have graduated from PALCS since the school opened.
Parents can get involved by joining the monthly Parent Advisory Board. The board meets with the principal monthly to provide feedback and school improvement suggestions.
PALCS has an active Student Government. Students can run for office and participate in committees that spearhead projects, events and fundraisers. Student Government also builds leadership skills and offers unique retreats and field trips.
PALCS offers the University Scholars Program for gifted and motivated learners. The blended on-site and virtual program offers honors and AP courses to accepted students, though any PALCS student may take up to two AP courses through University Scholars.
PALCS students are initiated into the National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society each year in a blended on-site/virtual ceremony.
Students can reach out to their teachers at any time through many outlets: phone, email, instant message, or chat.
In addition to teachers, PALCS families have access to dedicated guidance counselors and dozens of student services support staff. Help is always just a call or click away!
All PALCS students receive a laptop computer with a webcam, headset microphone, and a printer/copier/scanner. The computer automatically downloads required programs and updates and is filtered for school use.
The PALCS University Scholars Program has a Mock Trial team that has consistently performed well at both county and district levels.
Students do complete physical education in cyber school. Classes teach students the importance of incorporating a regular fitness routine into their daily lives and include many instructional videos.
PALCS has an award-winning Robotics team, placing in both the First Lego League and the First Tech Challenge.
After high school, 79% of the PALCS Class of 2018 chose to further their education with post-secondary school. 18% entered directly into the work force, and 2% entered the military.
Students get personalized feedback on assignments.
Our students are active in community sports, participate on local school district teams, and some even play at the semi-pro level!
Students receive classroom materials on a year-to-year basis, but keep their school computer as long as they are enrolled in the school.
Students have participated in the Hour of Code and have developed apps for Google Chrome and various code snippets. For creative gamers, PALCS hosts its own server for students to participate in Minecraft Club.
Attendance is tracked by logging in on school days, Monday – Friday.
PALCS Center for Performing and Fine Arts students regularly participate in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District Orchestra Festival.
The PALCS Mascot is the Eagle and the school colors are blue and yellow.
PALCS graduates have gone on to a range of careers, including becoming teachers, medical professionals, engineers, performing artists, athletes, and officers in the military.
PALCS offers a Tier 1 public school diploma that is recognized as equal to a traditional brick-and-mortar school by the PA Department of Education and all post-secondary schools. Graduates have the same opportunities as other high school graduates, if not better, as cyber school students can focus on education and learn important self-motivation skills.
PALCS offers Homework Help in the evenings. Students can receive live help from a PALCS teacher in the virtual classroom.
Students have the opportunity to travel internationally, often for elective credit. Previous travel opportunities have included Costa Rica, Canada, China and Panama.
PALCS faculty and staff participate and encourage students to get involved in various volunteer and community service projects throughout the year. The school participates in regular clothing drives, food drives, and fundraisers.
Our internal IT Help Desk is just a phone call away during business hours for technology assistance. We have trainings and tutorials available on-demand.
PALCS has a yearly commencement in Lancaster for all graduates and families who wish to attend.
After orientation, the only required travel for students is to complete state-mandated PSSA or Keystone testing, depending on grade level. PALCS has numerous testing facilities throughout the state, making it as convenient as possible for students to attend. PALCS teachers proctor the test so students can meet teachers and other students in their area.
PALCS uses a variety of materials from many different publishers: both physical and virtual textbooks, novels, workbooks and/or other types of supplemental content such as websites and educational programs.
Students occasionally choose to mail finished projects to their teachers: we proudly display student artwork in our offices and learning centers!
PALCS supports students from day one with a face-to-face orientation. Families are then guided through an Introduction to Online Learning course as they settle into cyber school.
Students who are struggling academically receive help from a PALCS Academic Advisor, who will assist students with organization and scheduling, will facilitate communication and will provide additional support.
PALCS students perform better on standardized testing. In 2018, our students received an average SAT score of 1166 and an average ACT score of 26.1. State averages: 1073 for SAT and 23.7 for ACT.
Students enrolled in PALCS participate in their communities and pursue fantastic interests. We have published novelists, junior firefighters, app developers, notable athletes, and performers of both stage and screen.
Over 150 highly qualified teachers work at PALCS. Teachers work from one of our offices, in either West Chester or Pittsburgh.

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Discover Our Prospective Student & Family Events

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Meet our Staff

Discover Our Prospective Student & Family Events

Learn More About Our School

Meet our Staff

Student Spotlight: Grace Heckendorn

Why PALCS?

Where It All Began…

Tips for Showing

Good Luck!

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About the Author: PALCS Information Team

PALCS graduates have attended schools ranging from small private colleges such as Grove City, Washington and Jefferson, Allegheny, Messiah and LaSalle; major state universities like Penn State, Pitt, Temple and Drexel; and Ivy League schools like Princeton, Harvard and Yale.

PALCS students can start exposure to a foreign language as young as Kindergarten!

In 2018, 93 students took 162 AP exams with an average score of 3.9. 87% of these students obtained a score of 3 or higher.

Students can read and contribute to PA Leadership’s award-winning online student newspaper, “The Talon”, which is edited by students in our Journalism course. PALCS Student Government also produces a newsletter, “The Observer”.

According to state law, cyber school students may continue to participate in extra-curricular activities and sports through their local schools.

PALCS students can go on many educational, science-related field trips. We’ve gone to Physics Days at Hersheypark and Kennywood, SciTech Days at the Carnegie Science Center, the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Zoos and more!

The PALCS University Scholars Program hosts two National Academic Quiz Tournament teams that compete and perform well at the national tournament level. A PALCS student was named to the 2016 Pennsylvania National All-Star Scholastic Tournament team.

PALCS has an in-house video production studio so teachers can make dynamic videos for their lessons.

PALCS focuses on weekly flexibility. Students can generally work one-to-two weeks ahead in their courses.

The guidance department at PALCS offers access to Career Cruising, a website that helps students explore career possibilities.

Students in our art classes receive an art kit with a variety of materials such as paint and clay. Painted or drawn pictures can be scanned into the computer via the provided printer/copier/scanner. Students can use their provided webcam to take a picture of sculptures and models.

While equipment is provided, PALCS families can access school from any device with an Internet connection.

The PALCS Network is an online social community and resource for PALCS families to connect with other parents and students. We have optional activities and field trips around the state to keep students engaged and active!

PALCS provides computer programs and websites to complete virtual labs for science courses.

Talented PALCS students have performed on many stages and have been heard on the radio across the state. Students have even performed at prestigious Carnegie Hall and on Broadway in New York City.

PALCS opened its digital doors on September 13, 2004. Over 2000 young adults have graduated from PALCS since the school opened.

Parents can get involved by joining the monthly Parent Advisory Board. The board meets with the principal monthly to provide feedback and school improvement suggestions.

PALCS has an active Student Government. Students can run for office and participate in committees that spearhead projects, events and fundraisers. Student Government also builds leadership skills and offers unique retreats and field trips.

PALCS offers the University Scholars Program for gifted and motivated learners. The blended on-site and virtual program offers honors and AP courses to accepted students, though any PALCS student may take up to two AP courses through University Scholars.

PALCS students are initiated into the National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society each year in a blended on-site/virtual ceremony.

Students can reach out to their teachers at any time through many outlets: phone, email, instant message, or chat.

In addition to teachers, PALCS families have access to dedicated guidance counselors and dozens of student services support staff. Help is always just a call or click away!

All PALCS students receive a laptop computer with a webcam, headset microphone, and a printer/copier/scanner. The computer automatically downloads required programs and updates and is filtered for school use.

The PALCS University Scholars Program has a Mock Trial team that has consistently performed well at both county and district levels.

Students do complete physical education in cyber school. Classes teach students the importance of incorporating a regular fitness routine into their daily lives and include many instructional videos.

PALCS has an award-winning Robotics team, placing in both the First Lego League and the First Tech Challenge.

After high school, 79% of the PALCS Class of 2018 chose to further their education with post-secondary school. 18% entered directly into the work force, and 2% entered the military.

Students get personalized feedback on assignments.

Our students are active in community sports, participate on local school district teams, and some even play at the semi-pro level!

Students receive classroom materials on a year-to-year basis, but keep their school computer as long as they are enrolled in the school.

Students have participated in the Hour of Code and have developed apps for Google Chrome and various code snippets. For creative gamers, PALCS hosts its own server for students to participate in Minecraft Club.

Attendance is tracked by logging in on school days, Monday – Friday.

PALCS Center for Performing and Fine Arts students regularly participate in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District Orchestra Festival.

The PALCS Mascot is the Eagle and the school colors are blue and yellow.

PALCS graduates have gone on to a range of careers, including becoming teachers, medical professionals, engineers, performing artists, athletes, and officers in the military.

PALCS offers Homework Help in the evenings. Students can receive live help from a PALCS teacher in the virtual classroom.

Students have the opportunity to travel internationally, often for elective credit. Previous travel opportunities have included Costa Rica, Canada, China and Panama.

PALCS faculty and staff participate and encourage students to get involved in various volunteer and community service projects throughout the year. The school participates in regular clothing drives, food drives, and fundraisers.

Our internal IT Help Desk is just a phone call away during business hours for technology assistance. We have trainings and tutorials available on-demand.

PALCS has a yearly commencement in Lancaster for all graduates and families who wish to attend.

PALCS uses a variety of materials from many different publishers: both physical and virtual textbooks, novels, workbooks and/or other types of supplemental content such as websites and educational programs.

Students occasionally choose to mail finished projects to their teachers: we proudly display student artwork in our offices and learning centers!

PALCS supports students from day one with a face-to-face orientation. Families are then guided through an Introduction to Online Learning course as they settle into cyber school.

Students who are struggling academically receive help from a PALCS Academic Advisor, who will assist students with organization and scheduling, will facilitate communication and will provide additional support.

PALCS students perform better on standardized testing. In 2018, our students received an average SAT score of 1166 and an average ACT score of 26.1. State averages: 1073 for SAT and 23.7 for ACT.

Students enrolled in PALCS participate in their communities and pursue fantastic interests. We have published novelists, junior firefighters, app developers, notable athletes, and performers of both stage and screen.

Over 150 highly qualified teachers work at PALCS. Teachers work from one of our offices, in either West Chester or Pittsburgh.

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