Pittsburgh Public Schools

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Pittsburgh Public Schools
Excellence for All
Type	Public school
Grades	Pre-K–12
Superintendent	Mark Roosevelt
Athletic Conference	PIAA District 8
Location	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania USA
Website	Pittsburgh Public Schools

Pittsburgh Public Schools is the public school district in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA and adjacent Mount Oliver.

The combined land area of these municipalities is 55.3 square miles with a population of 342,503 according to the 2000 census.^[1] As of August 2005, the Superintendent is Mark Roosevelt and on December 13, 2006 Linda S. Lane became Deputy Superintendent^[2]. It operates 65 schools with 5,180 full-time employees and serves 29,445^[3][4] students with an operating budget of $533.6 million.^[4]

Locations:

• Administration Building—341 S. Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213—40.444716° N 79.950660° WCoordinates: 40.444716° N 79.950660° W
• Facilities Division—1305 Muriel Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203—40.4302° N 79.9853° W
• Food Service—8 S. 13th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203—40.4312° N 79.9854° W
• Parent-to-Parent Special Education Help Line 412-323-3996

Contents 1 History 2 Academics 2.1 Accelerated Learning Academies 2.2 Kaplan Curriculum 3 Signature 4 The Pittsburgh Promise 5 Board of Education 6 Schools 6.1 Elementary schools (K–5) 6.2 K–8 schools 6.3 Middle schools (6–8) 6.4 High schools (9-12) 6.5 Special schools 6.6 Charter schools 6.7 Closed schools 6.7.1 Prior to 2006 6.7.2 2006 right-sizing 6.7.3 Charter Schools Closed 7 Athletics 8 References 9 External links

[edit] History

Public education in Pittsburgh began in 1835. The Pittsburgh Public School District was formed by the combining of the city's Ward schools in November 1911. At that time the Board of education was comprised of 15 appointed members. In 1976, this was changed to the current elective system.^[1]

[edit] Academics

[edit] Accelerated Learning Academies

As part of the final right-sizing plan approved by the Board in February 2006, eight of the poorer performing schools were transformed into Accelerated Learning Academies (ALAs).^[5] The eight schools were: Arlington Accelerated Learning Academy (K–8, two campuses), Colfax Accelerated Learning Academy (K–8), Fort Pitt Accelerated Learning Academy (Elementary), Martin Luther King Accelerated Learning Academy (K–8), Murray Accelerated Learning Academy (K–8), Northview Accelerated Learning Academy (Elementary), A. J. Rooney Accelerated Learning Academy (Middle), Weil Technology Accelerated Learning Academy (K–8).^[6] These schools were put on a longer school year calendar^[7] with 10 extra days, as well as a longer school day adding 45 minutes of instructional time.^[8] The ALAs use the America's Choice Design Model^[9], developed by the National Center on Education and the Economy.

[edit] Kaplan Curriculum

In early 2006 the district contracted with Kaplan K12 Learning Services to develop a core curriculum for grades 6 through 12. The core curriculum will be phased in over the course of three years: during the 2006-7 school year the district will implement the new curriculum for English in grades 6–10 and Math in grades 6, 9 and 10; in 2007-8 English in grades 11 and 12, Math in grades 7 and 11, and Science in grades 6–11 will start; and Math grade 8, and Social Studies grades 6–11 will start in 2008-9. Lesson plans and curriculum coaching will be provided to teachers, and the students will undergo benchmark testing every 6 weeks to assess student progress. Each school will have curriculum coaches on-site to aid teachers and provide them with professional development. The Key Concepts presented in the curriculum will be aligned with the state standards tested for in the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment annual tests.^[10]

[edit] Signature

The district trademark was created with the Design Department of Carnegie Mellon University. The colorful central building blocks and the Pittsburgh Public Schools logotype together form the PPS "signature."

The multi-colored building blocks are closely associated with children and child development. They represent the multi-cultural community of Pittsburgh and the diversity of the programs and students in the district. The blocks are also versatile in that they can be used in any media either in color or black and white.^[11]

[edit] The Pittsburgh Promise

On December 13, 2006 Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Superindendent Mark Roosevelt announced The Pittsburgh Promise initiative. Starting in 2008 The Promise will make available to all graduates satisfying the criteria a scholarship to any accredited post-secondary institution within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The $5-7 million per year necessary to fund this will be raised through private contributions from foundations and corporations.^[12]

The Pittsburgh Promise is similar to an existing program in Kalamazoo, Michigan known as the Kalamazoo Promise. A joint City and School District task force will be formed to develop the plan. Work has been done by the District's High School Reform Task Force and the Mayor's Business and Economic Development Committee.^[13]

In January 2007 the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers made the first contribution to The Pittsburgh Promise scholarship program. The donation by the union was to show the teachers' support for the program.^[14]

[edit] Board of Education

The Pittsburgh Public Schools have an elected nine-member Board, who serve without pay. Each member represents a geographic region of the City, and serves for a four year term.^[15] As of 2007, the members are^[16]:

• William Isler (President) – District 4
• Randall Taylor (First VP) – District 1
• Theresa Colaizzi (Second VP) – District 5
• Mark Brentley, Sr. – District 8
• Heather Arnet – District 2
• Jean Fink – District 7
• Floyd McCrea – District 9
• Sherry Hazuda – District 6
• Thomas Sumpter – District 3

[edit] Schools

[edit] Elementary schools (K–5)

Allegheny Traditional Academy Elementary School Arsenal Elementary School Banksville Elementary School Beechwood Elementary School Concord Elementary School Dilworth Traditional Academy Fort Pitt Accelerated Learning Academy Fulton Academy of Geographic and Life Sciences Grandview Elementary School Liberty Elementary School

Linden Elementary School Minadeo Elementary School Morrow Elementary School Northview Accelerated Learning Academy Phillips Elementary School Roosevelt Elementary School (also: Pre-K) (two campuses: Pre-K–1 & 2–5) Spring Hill Elementary School West Liberty Elementary School Whittier Elementary School Woolslair Elementary School

[edit] K–8 schools

Arlington Accelerated Learning Academy (two campuses: K–2 & 3–8) Brookline School Carmalt Academy of Science and Technology Colfax Accelerated Learning Academy Helen S. Faison School (two campuses: K–4 & 5–8) Greenfield School Martin Luther King Accelerated Learning Academy Lincoln School (two campuses: K–4 & 5–8) Manchester School Mifflin School

Miller African Centered Academy Pittsburgh Montessori School (also: Pre-K) Murray Accelerated Learning Academy Schaeffer School (two campuses: K–3 & 4–8) Stevens School Sunnyside School Robert L. Vann School Weil Technology Accelerated Learning Academy Westwood School Vann School

[edit] Middle schools (6–8)

Allegheny Traditional Academy Middle School Arsenal Middle School Pittsburgh Classical Academy Middle School Frick International Studies Academy Middle School Rogers Middle School for the Creative and Performing Arts

A. J. Rooney Accelerated Learning Academy Schiller Classical Academy Middle School South Brook Middle School South Hills Middle School Sterrett Classical Academy Middle School

[edit] High schools (9-12)

Brashear High School Carrick High School Westinghouse High School Langley High School Oliver High School

Peabody High School Perry Traditional Academy High School Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts Schenley High School Taylor Allderdice High School

[edit] Special schools

Conroy Education Center McNaugher Education Center Pioneer Education Center

Pittsburgh Gifted Center Student Achievement Center High School Student Achievement Center Middle School

[edit] Charter schools

As required by Pennsylvania state law, the District funds a number of Charter schools:^[17]

• Renaissance Academy of Pittsburgh Alternative of Hope K–5 — Charter renewal denied by Board on 25 April 2006^[18]
• Urban League of Pittsburgh Charter School K–5
• Manchester Academic Charter School K–8
• Northside Urban Pathways Charter School 6–12
• Academy Charter School 9–12
• Career Connections Charter High School 9–12 — Charter renewed for five years on 21 March 2007^[19]
• City Charter High School 9–12 — Charter renewed for five years on 8 November 2006^[20]

[edit] Closed schools

[edit] Prior to 2006

• South Vo Tech
• South Hills High School
• Fifth Avenue High School – Closed in 1976
• Central High School
• Gladstone Middle School in Hazelwood. Gladstone was also high school in the past.

[edit] 2006 right-sizing

Bon Air K-5 Burgwin K-7 Chatham K-5 Clayton K-5 Columbus 6-8 Crescent K-5 East Hills K-5 Friendship K-5

Greenway 6-8 Knoxville K-5 Knoxville 6-8 Lemington K-5 Madison K-5 Horace Mann K-5 McCleary K-5

Margaret Milliones 6-8 Morningside K-8 Prospect K-5 Prospect 6-8 Florence Reizenstein 6-8 Sheraden K-5 Washington Polytechnic 6-8 West Side K-5

[edit] Charter Schools Closed

• Career Connections Charter Middle School 6–8 — Charter revoked by Board on 27 September 2006^[21] — Closed 29 November 2006^[22]

[edit] Athletics

PIAA District 8

Elementary school

Winter — Swimming

Spring — Track

Middle school

Fall — Cross Country, Girls Softball, Boys Softball, Boys Volleyball, Girls Volleyball

Winter — Swimming, Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball

Spring — Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer, Wrestling

High school

Fall — Cross Country, Football, JV Football, Golf, Girls Soccer, Boys Soccer, Girls Tennis, Girls Volleyball

Winter — Swimming, Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Wrestling

Spring — Boys Baseball, Boys Tennis, Boys Volleyball, Girls Softball, Co-ed Track & Field

• The George K. Cupples Stadium is located on East Carson Street between 8th and 9th Streets, next to the now closed South Vo Tech High School. — 40.4281° N 79.9908° W

[edit] References

1. ^ ^{a b} 2007 Preliminary Budget (PDF). Pittsburgh Public Schools Web Site. Retrieved on 2006-11-20.
2. ^ Smydo, Joe. "City schools hire deputy superintendent", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2006-12-13. Retrieved on 2006-12-14. 
3. ^ Smydo, Joe. "City's schools lose more students", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2006-11-07, p. A-1. Retrieved on 2006-11-11. 
4. ^ ^{a b} Smydo, Joe. "City schools try to hold line on taxes", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2006-11-10, p. A-1. Retrieved on 2006-11-11. 
5. ^ Accelerated Learning Academies. Pittsburgh Public Schools Web Site. Retrieved on 2006-12-20.
6. ^ Accelerated Learning Academies. Pittsburgh Public Schools Web Site. Retrieved on 2006-12-20.
7. ^ Accelerated Learning Academy 2006-2007 School Calendar. Pittsburgh Public Schools Web Site (2006-05-01). Retrieved on 2006-12-20.
8. ^ PPS ALAs Frequently Asked Questions. Pittsburgh Public Schools Web Site. Retrieved on 2006-12-20.
9. ^ America's Choice. NCEE Web Site. Retrieved on 2006-12-20.
10. ^ Kaplan Parent Presentation. Pittsburgh Public Schools Web Site. Retrieved on 2006-12-20.
11. ^ The Pittsburgh Public Schools Signature. Pittsburgh Public Schools Web Site. Retrieved on 2006-11-27.
12. ^ Pittsburgh Public Schools (2006-12-13). "Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Superintendent Mark Roosevelt Announce Partnership to Create The Pittsburgh Promise". Press release. Retrieved on 2006-12-13.
13. ^ Lord, Rich. "City schools to promise college funds for good students", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2006-12-13. Retrieved on 2006-12-13. 
14. ^ Smydo, Joe. "Teachers union gives $10,000 to new city scholarship fund", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2007-01-12. Retrieved on 2007-01-13. 
15. ^ About the Board. Pittsburgh Public Schools Web Site. Retrieved on 2006-11-25.
16. ^ [hhttp://www.pps.k12.pa.us/14311059122535553/blank/browse.asp?a=383&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&c=55256&14311059122535553Nav= Board of Directors]. Pittsburgh Public Schools Web Site. Retrieved on 2007-12-12.
17. ^ Pennsylvania Charter School Websites. The Center for Education Reform Website. Retrieved on 2007-01-03.
18. ^ "Board denies renewal of E. Liberty charter school", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2007-04-26. Retrieved on 2007-04-26. 
19. ^ MINUTES Meeting of: March 2 1,2007 (PDF) p.640-1. Pittsburgh Public Schools. Retrieved on 2007-04-26.
20. ^ Smydo, Joe. "City schools want to close 2 more charter schools", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2006-11-09. Retrieved on 2007-04-26. 
21. ^ Smydo, Joe. "School board votes to close Career Connections school", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2006-09-28. Retrieved on 2007-01-03. 
22. ^ Smydo, Joe. "Charter middle school to shut Nov. 29", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2006-11-17. Retrieved on 2007-04-26. 

[edit] External links

• Pittsburgh Public Schools site
• Right-sizing plan chart from Pittsburgh Post-Gazette