For the Orris family, finding Central Pennsylvania Digital Learning Foundation (CPDLF) changed everything.
Autumn Orris, now 18, has been a CPDLF learner for about five years. Today, she’s preparing to take her next step toward a career in nursing — something her grandmother and Learning Coach, Deena Orris, says might not have been possible without the support they found at CPDLF.
“It’s been wonderful,” Deena says. “I have nothing bad to say about CPDLF. She has achieved more in these years than she did in all her years in brick-and-mortar school.”
A Difficult Start
Autumn’s educational journey took an unexpected turn when she broke her ankle and needed surgery. While recovering, she tried to keep up with school through online assignments provided by her traditional school.
But what she experienced didn’t feel like learning.
“It was a nightmare,” Deena recalls. “It was just busy work — not education.”
Without the classroom environment or easy access to teachers for help, the assignments became overwhelming. When students eventually returned to in-person learning after COVID disruptions, Autumn still didn’t feel ready to go back.
Her grades reflected the struggle. Once a capable student, she was slipping into Ds and Fs.
That’s when Deena started looking for another option.
Discovering CPDLF
A family member introduced them to CPDLF, a public cyber charter school designed specifically for online learning.
Unlike the rushed virtual instruction many families experienced during the pandemic, CPDLF is built from the ground up to support learners in a digital environment — with teachers, learning guides, and systems in place to help students succeed.
The change was immediate.
After enrolling, Autumn went from struggling academically to earning As and Bs.
“She gets more help through CPDLF than she ever did in public school,” Deena says.
The Power of the Right Support
One of the biggest differences for Autumn has been the relationship she developed with her Learning Guide, Mrs. Wilt.
Mrs. Wilt has supported Autumn since her first day at CPDLF, building a strong connection that keeps her motivated and accountable.
“She’s wonderful,” Deena says. “Autumn is a smart girl, but like any teenager, she sometimes finds excuses. Mrs. Wilt knows how to light a fire under her when she needs it.”
If assignments start to slip behind schedule, Mrs. Wilt sends Deena a quick update so they can help Autumn get back on track.
“I don’t think I would have made it without Mrs. Wilt,” Deena says. That level of support made all the difference.
Designed for Cyber Learning
Deena believes one of the biggest misconceptions about cyber school comes from families’ memories of pandemic-era virtual learning.
“When COVID hit and schools tried to go online, it was awful,” she says. “People remember that experience and think cyber school is the same thing.”
CPDLF is different.
“It’s not in-person school trying to adapt to cyber,” Deena explains. “It was designed for online learning from the start.”
Teachers are accessible. Learners receive guidance. Families are supported along the way.
“There’s just so much support — not only for the student, but for the family.”
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Outside of school, Autumn has been building real-world experience.
She started working at age 16 and has held several jobs, including at a wireless retailer and a nursing home. Today, she provides home care assistance, helping people with daily tasks like grocery shopping, laundry, and bathing.
She even completed additional training and CPR certification to support her work.
These experiences helped shape her future plans.
Autumn has now been accepted to Allegany College of Maryland, where she plans to study nursing.
Looking Ahead
For Deena, watching her granddaughter grow into a confident young adult has been incredibly rewarding. She’s also quick to share their experience with other families who may be exploring educational options.
“I love it,” she says. “I recommend CPDLF to anybody I hear looking for an online option.”
For Autumn, CPDLF provided something every learner deserves: the chance to succeed in an environment that understands how they learn best.
For the Orris family, that made all the difference.