Frequently Asked Questions

Click a category for answers to common questions.

  • How our program works
    • How does this program exist?
      PAIUnet is supported by the 29 Intermediate Units across the state of Pennsylvania. The intermediate units are seeking a method to share distance learning solutions to all PAIUnet-connected districts across the state of Pennsylvania. The IU5 Blended Cyber Services program is just one piece of this larger initiative.

      Can my district participate?
      In order to participate in the PAIU Online Learning Initiative, your district must be connected to PAIUnet. Contact your local IU for more information.

      How do the Advanced Academics online courses work?
      Because all of the courses are online, the student's class schedule is flexible. The Advanced Academics curriculum is rigorous, engaging, and self-paced. All of the courses are backed by the Advanced Academics highly qualified teachers who are available via instant message, phone, or e-mail. Advanced Academics also offers a 24/5 student support environment so that you can get help when you need it.

      How quickly can a student move through the course?
      Advanced Academics semester courses are available to the student for 120 calendar days (including weekends and holidays); however, the district liaison can shorten that timeframe to meet the students' needs and district requirements. There are other options for credit recovery that limit the course access to 30 or 60 days depending on the district's request. Contact the IU5 staff for further details.

  • Students Served
    • Is this only for a certain type of student?
      The most successful online student needs to take responsibility for his or her own learning. In any online education program, the student must be a self-directed learner, have internal motivation to manage his or her own learning during the course of study, and have a basic grasp of Internet navigation. Advanced Academics requires students to make the appropriate time for their coursework in order to succeed. With that being said, Advanced Academics has proven to be successful with all types of learners.

      What grade levels does IU5 Blended Cyber Services encompass?
      IU5 Blended Cyber Services currently offers courses for students in grades 6 to 12. Students must be enrolled in their local public school district and the district must be connected to PAIUnet.

      Can the student still participate in sports and activities?
      Yes! The student remains enrolled in the local public school district; therefore, the student has full access to all district services. The student can participate in sports and activities, attend a career and technical center, and have access to local school district services such as special education accommodations.

  • Teaching & Curriculum
    • Do you employ highly qualified, certified teachers?
      Advanced Academics only hires teachers that are highly-qualified and are certified in the subject areas they teach. All of the Advanced Academics teachers have experience in the traditional classroom and know first-hand the challenges of teaching students with various learning styles and capabilities.

      How do students communicate with their Advanced Academics teachers?
      Students can communicate with their online teachers through a variety of ways: instant message, e-mail, and phone. We even offer a virtual whiteboard for those students who learn visually.

      What subjects does Advanced Academics offer and for what grades?
      Advanced Academics offers comprehensive online courses designed for grades 6-12. They include core courses, electives, foreign languages, Advanced Placement®, and diagnostics.Click here for a complete list of courses.

      What additional materials will I have to provide in order for students to take an Advanced Academics course?
      Most of the courses offered by Advanced Academics can be taken 100% online, so there is very little need for any additional materials. Some advanced courses may require additional materials. The only things your students will need to begin their coursework are Internet access and a computer. All of the courses can be accessed through dial-up Internet access, but high-speed access is recommended. You can view our system requirements here.



  • Service & Support
    • What service support is available for districts from IU5?
      IU5 will provide a virtual training for a district-appointed liaison to learn the student management system and how to monitor each student's academic progress. The IU5 staff will also provide guidance on the various curriculum options from Advanced Academics to help meet the students' needs. The district liaison will then be able to contact the IU5 staff Monday through Friday, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm with any questions regarding accessing the program.

      What service support is available for students from IU5?
      IU5 will provide a virtual orientation for the students to acclimate them to the online learning platform. The students will then be able to contact the IU5 staff Monday through Friday, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm with any questions regarding accessing their course(s).

      What service support is available from Advanced Academics?
      At Advanced Academics, customer service representatives are available to assist students and district contacts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

  • Accreditation, Graduation, and Diploma
    • Is the Advanced Academics program accredited?
      Yes! Advanced Academics is fully accredited by both the Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA) and the North Central Association (NCA). All of the courses are closely aligned to Pennsylvania State Standards. We also carry accreditation with the NCAA.

      Who will issue my diploma?
      Your local public school district will issue the diploma upon completion of all school district graduation requirements.

      May I attend a graduation ceremony?
      Yes, students are enrolled in their local public school district and can participate in all activities, including the graduation ceremony.

  • Funding, Costs
    • What is the cost of taking online courses?
      Courses available through the IU5 Blended Cyber Services are at no cost to the student or family. The course fees are paid by the local public school district in which the student is enrolled.

      Can I take classes part-time?
      Yes! We offer both part-time and full-time online options.

      Who chooses the students' courses?
      The local public school district in which the student is enrolled chooses the students' courses based on the necessary graduation requirements.

  • Technical Requirements
    • What type of software or hardware will I need on my computer to take these courses? There are some basic requirements for the computer on which you will be working. Click here to see the basic requirements.

      Do I need a high-speed connection? You can successfully access of our courses with a dial-up Internet connection, but we recommend high-speed access for the best experience.

  • How to Contact Us
    • Contact Abigail Stafford at abigail_stafford@iu5.org or by phone at 1-800-677-5610 ext. 8430 with any questions regarding the IU5 Blended Cyber Services program.