Learn about the Pittsburgh Public Schools that children who live in Carrick, Pittsburgh, PA attend – the usual ones and the special magnet schools.
On August 10, 2021, Pittsburgh Public Schools moved the start of the school year from August 25 to September 8. The change allowed more time to find enough school bus drivers and locate enough buses with seats to hold all the children on their way to and from school.
- School starts at Pittsburgh Roosevelt PreK-5, a neighborhood elementary school in Carrick. The school has a special emphasis on reading comprehension. Because early childhood education is important, the school offers a PreK program for 3-year-olds to 5-year-olds. The Primary Campus is on The Boulevard with an Intermediate Campus on West Cherryhill Street.
- Pittsburgh Concord K-5 is a neighborhood school located on Brownsville Road in Carrick. The school takes a developmental approach, giving children the time and support they need. Facilities include science labs, computer lab classrooms, an art lab, a gym and a library.
- Pittsburgh South Brook 6-8 is the middle school that Carrick children attend from sixth through eighth grades. South Brook promotes academic achievement, good attendance, citizenship, honesty and responsibility. Learning support is offered to students who need it. South Brook is located in Brookline.
- Pittsburgh Carrick High School is equipped with two science labs and 21 computer lab classrooms. Along with college preparation courses, Carrick High School teaches skills in business and health that can lead to jobs right out of school, and offers college preparation courses.
The district partners with Familylinks to help students who aren’t thriving in a traditional school setting.
Magnet Schools
Pittsburgh Public Schools operates magnet schools – schools with specialized courses. Students can qualify regardless which public school they would otherwise attend.
Children get a better shot at being selected for a magnet school if they attended PreK, if a sibling attends the magnet school, if they’re continuing a program track or their family is economically disadvantaged, writes A+ Schools, a nonprofit organization working to make sure every child in Pittsburgh gets a high-quality education. Applications for the magnet school lottery for the next school year close in early December.
- Carmalt PreK-8 specializes in science and technology. Science classes are taught by certified science teachers.
- CAPA – Pittsburgh Creative And Performing Arts – offers majors to children in grades 6 through 12 in dance, instrumental music, literary arts, theater, visual arts & vocal music. Admission involves presenting a portfolio or undertaking an audition. CAPA is located in downtown Pittsburgh.
- The Pittsburgh Science & Technology Academy, located in Oakland, allows students in grades 6 through 12 to focus their studies on science & technology. The curriculum offers early experiences in classes they may not otherwise study – expanding the range of careers that are open to them. Nearly 600 students who attend Sci-Tech are chosen in a weighted lottery, based on grades, behavior & attendance record.
Online
Pittsburgh Online Academy is an online-only school that local school children can attend. Students can take Advanced Placement (AP) coursework and exams. AP offers college-level learning. Online students are eligible for Pittsburgh Promise, which provides Pittsburgh Public School grads scholarships for college, or a trade or technical school.
Board Of Education
Pittsburgh schools are overseen by the Pittsburgh Board of Public Education. Each board member represents a geographic region of the city. Pittsburgh Carrick High School is in District 7, which covers Carrick, other Hilltop neighborhoods, Overbrook, East Brookline, Southside Flats and Southside Slopes.
Schools located in District 7 include Pittsburgh Roosevelt PreK-5, Pittsburgh Concord PreK-5, Pittsburgh Phillips K-5, Pittsburgh Arlington PreK-8, Pittsburgh Carrick High School and Pittsburgh Online Academy.
Schools that Carrick children may attend that are located in District 6 include Pittsburgh South Brook 6-8 and Pittsburgh Carmalt PreK-8.
PFT
Teachers are represented by the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers (PFT). The PFT represents more than 3,000 teachers, paraprofessionals, technical staff & clerical workers at Pittsburgh Public Schools.
Along with bargaining for higher wages and benefits, the PFT works for smaller class sizes and workplace protections.
Conclusion
Most local children will attend Pittsburgh Roosevelt or Pittsburgh Concord, South Brook and Carrick High School. Other may attend Carmalt, CAPA, the Pittsburgh Science & Technology Academy or even the school district’s Online Academy. The future of their schools can be shaped by the new District 7 board member to be elected in November.