(Editor’s note: This is the fourth of a five-part series about the Mifflin County School District’s decorated Alpha Program, a district-run cyber education program designed to keep students local, supported and connected.)

LEWISTOWN — When the Alpha Program first launched, its purpose was straightforward: provide a district-run alternative to cyber charter schools and keep students connected to Mifflin County’s teachers, resources, and community.

But over time, Alpha has grown into something far larger — a flexible, innovative system that expands what the district can offer and opens doors for students who need more than a traditional schedule can provide.

Today, Alpha is not just a cyber option. It is a district-wide tool that supports students with health challenges, students seeking advanced coursework, students recovering credits, students exploring new career paths, and students who simply learn better in a different environment. It is a program built to meet students where they are, and in doing so, it has become one of the most versatile parts of the Mifflin County School District.

One of Alpha’s most significant strengths is its ability to offer courses that are not available in the building. For Mifflin County High School students like 10th-grader Kathryn Hartzler, that access has been transformative.

“There are a ton of opportunities and courses that I wouldn’t be able to partake in if it weren’t for the Alpha program,” Hartzler said. “The skills I am currently taught through the Alpha program can possibly help me with my future job and general comprehension.” Her experience reflects a growing trend: students using Alpha to explore fields that interest them long before graduation.

Senior Audrey Adams agreed and added, “Upon actually entering the Alpha rooms, I found that the environment was so comforting and friendly. The alpha classes are well-organized and put together and taking them is not difficult at all with teachers constantly offering help and support when needed. The Alpha program is an amazing education choice and I know I would pick it again.”

Tenth-grader Leah Hartzler echoed that sentiment. “The Alpha program is a very useful and easy-to-use program,” Hartzler explained. “It has a variety of courses available for students to help them learn information that could benefit them in their future jobs and overall knowledge.” For students like her, Alpha is not a fallback — it is an opportunity.

The program’s flexibility also supports students facing significant challenges. When students experience major health issues, Alpha allows them to continue their education without falling behind. When students face homelessness or unstable living situations, Alpha provides structure, consistency, and connection. And when seniors are at risk of not graduating, Alpha becomes a lifeline.

Last year alone, Alpha helped 14 seniors recover the credits they needed to earn their diplomas. Mifflin County School District Administrator of Online Programs Chris Gill said that kind of support is built into the program’s design. “We have always looked for ways to leverage online learning to meet students’ needs,” he said. “Credit recovery, health challenges, scheduling conflicts — Alpha gives us the flexibility to help students stay on track.”

That flexibility extends into the summer as well. Alpha runs the district’s summer school program for grades 6 to12, which maintains a 95 percent pass rate. Students who struggled during the school year can regain momentum, rebuild confidence, and return in the fall with a clean slate.

Beyond Alpha itself, the district operates several additional online learning programs that work in tandem with it. The Mifflin County Online (MCO) program serves students in kindergarten through fifth grade, with a dedicated classroom at Indian Valley Elementary. The OnTrack program provides a waivered discipline option, allowing students facing expulsion to continue their coursework online while receiving support. Students at Laurel Life also take online courses through Alpha, ensuring continuity in their education.

The district’s partnership with IU08’s World of Learning expands world language options, giving students access to courses that would otherwise be unavailable. These programs, taken together, form a network of online learning opportunities that reach far beyond the walls of the high school.

For many students, Alpha is also a way to balance traditional classes with online coursework. Students who want to take a heavier academic load, pursue career-focused electives, or manage extracurricular commitments can build schedules that work for them. Some students take one or two online classes; others take most of their coursework through Alpha while still participating in sports, band, theater, or clubs.

This hybrid approach is what makes Alpha unique. Students can move between online and in-person learning without losing access to teachers, counselors, or the school community. They can work independently while still receiving support. They can explore new subjects without sacrificing the structure of a traditional school day.

For students like 11th-grader Nate Lindley, that balance is essential. Lindley takes a Consumer Mathematics course with Alpha. He said, “Being in Alpha makes it easier to manage your time and get the class done on your own time. Everybody is there to help you grow as a person. They’re there to better you for your future because there’s more time for them to dedicate themselves to you individually rather than with a class of 25 kids.”

When asked why she liked the Alpha program, seventh-grader Abby Campbell replied, “I like being at Alpha because the teachers are nice. The way Alpha is allows the teachers to guide me more one-on-one.”

The program’s impact is also felt in the district’s broader academic culture. By offering more pathways, more pacing options and more individualized support, Alpha helps MCSD serve a wider range of learners. It allows the district to innovate without abandoning the strengths of traditional education.

Gill said that evolution is intentional. “We were looking to see how we can do better for students who were interested in online learning,” he said. “Alpha gives us the flexibility to support students in ways that cyber charter schools simply cannot.”

Mifflin County School District Superintendent of Schools Vance Varner said the costs of funding the cyber-charter schools can easily overwhelm school districts financially. At least once per month, Varner said the district hears from a parent or community member who did not realize the district has to pay for students to attend cyber-charter school.

“They say that cyber/charter advertises ‘free education,'” Varner said.

What began as a cost-saving measure has become a cornerstone of the district’s commitment to personalized learning. Alpha is no longer just an alternative — it is an opportunity engine, a safety net, and a launchpad.

And for hundreds of students each year, it is the place where they finally find a path that fits.

That puts the minds of many parents at ease. A few shared their success stories.

“Prior to my son taking Alpha classes, he had a lack of confidence and was disengaged,” explained Amy Yohn, mother of senior Carter Yohn. “This program has turned that around. The instruction is tailored to his pace, which allows him to work at his level of comfort and still complete the assignments on time.

“The structure of the classroom allows for more student-to-teacher time when needed,” Yohn added. “The flexibility of Alpha has eliminated the feelings of being overwhelmed. Overall, Alpha has allowed him to have a positive experience while receiving a great education. He once dreaded going to school but no longer does.”

Maxi Curry, mother of two student athletes, said the Alpha Program has eased the burden of playing sports and carrying a full classload for 11th-grader Jack and ninth-grader Lily.

“Alpha program provides them with flexibility as to when they can work on their classes while also meeting the demands of hectic sports schedules, which often require travel for games and specific trainings throughout the year,” Curry said. “They can work ahead as they wish and then use their time for other non-Alpha coursework. It has taught them time management and that working ahead is a much better way to manage their coursework.”

Gayle Moyer shares a similar experience as her sons have used the Alpha Program to better balance their schoolwork and employment opportunities. “Our three oldest boys have all been enrolled in the Alpha Program,” shared Moyer about Teryn, a 10th-grader; and Chase and Ryder, former Alpha students. “This has helped give them the flexibility to work full time jobs while still being a student.”

And there’s Lisa Stryker, who couldn’t be happier with the achievements of her daughter Lilly, an 11th-grader, as an Alpha Program student. “Switching to the Alpha Program for our daughter was the best decision we could have made pertaining to school,” Stryker said. “She adapted well and had a lot less stress. All the teachers and staff are great to work with.”