Program Information

Georgia Cyber Academy (GCA) is a tuition-free public virtual charter school serving students across the state of Georgia. On average, we serve approximately 10,000 students each year and operate a schoolwide Title I program.

GCA is designed for families seeking a structured, teacher-led virtual learning experience with clear academic expectations, consistent routines, and strong school support. Our goal is to help students build a strong academic foundation, progress confidently from grade to grade, and graduate prepared for what comes next—while building a connected statewide school community.

At a Glance: What to Expect at GCA

• Live instruction with certified, highly-qualified educators
• A structured school day with live classes, coursework, and time-bound assignments
• A blend of live instruction, asynchronous learning, personalized learning, and targeted support
• Ongoing support from teachers and school staff
• Opportunities for students to connect through clubs, activities, events, and field trips

Important: GCA is not a self-paced program. Students are most successful when they attend scheduled learning sessions, stay on track, and have consistent Learning Coach support at home.

Why We Use Live Classes and a Structured Model

Georgia Cyber Academy’s instructional model is designed to support student achievement, accountability, and long-term success.

• Live instruction: focused, real-time sessions where the teacher guides the whole class through new concepts and skill mastery.
• Asynchronous learning: structured learning time when students complete teacher-assigned activities independently instead of attending a live class session. 
• Personalized learning: students work on activities chosen by their teacher to match their individual strengths, needs, and skill level. Much of this time is asynchronous, meaning students work independently through teacher-assigned lessons, activities, or practice. At times, personalized learning may also include synchronous support, where a teacher or staff member works directly with a student or a small group to provide additional guidance, clarification, enrichment, counseling, or support services.
• Targeted Support: synchronous support where teachers work with small groups of students for additional help or extra challenge.

Attendance, Engagement, and Academic Expectations

Students are expected to:

• Attend required live sessions when assigned
• Stay on track with coursework and assessments
• Participate during instructional activities
• Maintain academic progress in each course

GCA monitors participation and progress through the online school platform and required learning activities.

Note: Attendance requirements for live sessions may vary based on student progress, assignment completion, and school policies

A Strong Start: Student Onboarding

To support a successful beginning to the school year, GCA provides an onboarding program called Strong Start for both new and returning students.

New students: Strong Start begins after enrollment is complete and a student is admitted. Families receive a welcome email and contact from their Family Engagement Liaison (FEL) prior to the first day of school or program start date.

Returning students: Re-registering students also complete Strong Start components, which may include curriculum updates, platform changes, and annual expectations.

Families should plan to attend Learning Coach support and technology sessions early in the school year, along with teacher course orientations.

The Role of the Parent/Learning Coach

Because students learn from home, Georgia Cyber Academy depends on a strong partnership between families and teachers. Each student must have a designated Learning Coach—typically a parent or legal guardian—who supports daily learning routines and helps students stay on track.

Learning Coach responsibilities vary by grade, but generally include:

• Monitoring attendance, progress, and assignment completion
• Supporting organization and routines, especially for younger students
• Staying connected to school communications
• Communicating with teachers, counselors, and support staff when needed
• Supporting academic integrity during assessments

Students are most successful at GCA when Learning Coaches provide consistent oversight—especially in elementary grades.

Learn more about Learning Coach responsibilities.

Student Connection and Community

GCA emphasizes student connection through:

• Online clubs and student activities
• Optional in-person events, outings, and community partner events
• Schoolwide opportunities that support engagement and school culture

Participation in optional events is encouraged and can be a meaningful part of the student experience.

Curriculum and Instruction

Georgia Cyber Academy provides a rigorous Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE)-aligned curriculum supported by instructional tools and interventions when needed.

Core Courses

Students receive instruction in:

• Mathematics
• English Language Arts
• Science
• Social Studies
• Electives

Electives and enrichment opportunities vary by grade band and program. Some electives may be required depending on grade level.

Academic Support and Interventions

Students who need additional support may receive targeted interventions through teacher-led support, small-group instruction, and schoolwide instructional services designed to help students stay on track and continue progressing academically.

Learn more about curriculum and instructional programs.