Pittsburgh Roosevelt PreK-5, a neighborhood elementary school in Carrick, Pittsburgh, PA emphasizes reading, math, science, social studies, art, music and physical education, with a special emphasis on reading comprehension.
Like the name of the school suggests, Pittsburgh Roosevelt PreK-5 offers a PreK program for 3-year-olds to 5-year-olds. Educators believe that early childhood education is important because that’s when children acquire social and emotional skills, and learn to interact with others – things that will be with them for a lifetime. The Roosevelt PreK program operates six hours a day and five days a week. It’s free for most families, depending on income. Transportation isn’t provided.
Children who are five years old by the end of September can be enrolled in kindergarten.
Students with special needs may receive services at the school or at a special education center. Information and help is available from the Pittsburgh Local Task Force on the Right to Education, an organization overseen by parents that works to improve education for students with disabilities.
High-achieving students can be identified as early as kindergarten. Students in the school’s Gifted and Talented Program are provided experiences and opportunities to develop their potential and become lifelong learners. One day each week, gifted students attend the Pittsburgh Gifted Center in Crafton Heights.
236 children attend Pittsburgh Roosevelt. 80% are marked as economically disadvantaged, meaning their families receive assistance from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Medicaid or Food Assistance programs.
An extended YMCA program and the school’s Elect Student Works Program, which provides academic and recreational activities, are available at the school. Eligible children can stay at school from dismissal until 6:00 PM.
GreatSchools – a nonprofit organization that assesses schools based on criteria that includes test scores – rated Pittsburgh Roosevelt 4 out of 10. Test scores are below average, the student body may have achievements gaps and students are making average academic progress compared with other PA students, according to GreatSchools.
Pittsburgh Roosevelt is a pocket of high absenteeism, Public Source reported. About one in three of their students missed school 18 or more days during the year.
The U.S. Department of Education called chronic absenteeism a hidden educational crisis in a report that described regular attendance as “a force that can overcome differences in privilege and background”. Not attending school keeps students from receiving the support they need to learn and thrive, according to the Department of Education, leaving them at serious risk of falling behind.
Pittsburgh Roosevelt and other Pittsburgh Public Schools are overseen by the Pittsburgh Board of Public Education, which is made up of 9 elected members. Bon Air, Carrick, East Brookline, Knoxville, Mt Oliver, Overbrook, St Clair and other neighborhoods in the area comprise District 7. Pittsburgh Roosevelt is in District 7.
The Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers represents teachers, paraprofessionals, technical staff and clerical workers at Pittsburgh Public Schools, including those at South Brook.
During the coronavirus pandemic, Pittsburgh Public Schools shut down and shifted to remote learning. Schools reopened in April 2021 on a hybrid plan. Some students continued to learn remotely.
Children from PreK through first grade attend Pittsburgh Roosevelt PreK-5 at 17 West Cherryhill Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15210. Students from grade one through five go to the facility at 200 The Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15210. Graduating students continue school at Pittsburgh South Brook 6-8.