Education and schools in Pittsburgh

Education and schools are highly valued in Pittsburgh, and the city is home to the renowned Carnegie Mellon University. The quality of local public schools is high, with options including charter and magnet schools. There are also private schools that base their teaching on religious or alternative education methods.

If you’re looking at schools in Pittsburgh, you’ll have to consider many factors, such as proximity to home and work, particular neighbourhoods, your child's specific educational needs, and budgetary concerns.

Public schools in Pittsburgh

Public schools in Pittsburgh generally have a good reputation, although naturally, some outperform others. Since school attendance is assigned based on residential zones, it’s a good idea for parents new to the area to do thorough research before deciding where to live. If you’re unsure about a school, you should check its Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) score, which measures English Language Arts, mathematics and science achievements.

Charter and magnet schools

Charter and magnet schools also receive state funding. They are typically considered more culturally diverse, and they offer a more personalised educational approach. Charter schools follow the state curriculum but are self-managed, meaning they are typically more innovative and flexible in their teaching styles than traditional public schools. Magnet schools are valued for their specialised curricula in fields such as the arts, science and languages.

Magnet schools offering language immersion are a decent substitute for the lack of international schools in Pittsburgh. These schools are not bilingual, but they do teach a foreign language. From Pre-K to Grade 5, there are various schools offering programmes for different languages, including Mandarin, German, French, and Spanish. From Grade 6 onwards, students have the option to continue at the Barack Obama Academy of International Studies, which teaches the International Baccalaureate.

IB schools

While Pittsburgh does not have schools teaching foreign curricula, a handful of schools in the city and its surroundings do offer the globally recognised International Baccalaureate. An International Baccalaureate Diploma allows students access to international education in 140 countries worldwide.

Public school districts such as Upper St. Clair and Pittsburgh Public Schools offer the International Baccalaureate curriculum. If you’d like your children to receive a globally transferable education, you’d do well to secure housing in the areas and suburbs within these districts.

Best Neighbourhoods in Pittsburgh

Useful links

• Pittsburgh Public Schools: Enrollment And Registration
• Pennsylvania Department Of Education
• Pittsburgh Public Schools: Magnet Schools Information

Private and international schools in Pittsburgh

There are several excellent options with a high standard of education when it comes to private and international schools in Pittsburgh. These schools are often based on alternative education models, such as Montessori or Waldorf, or are religious schools.

Unlike public schools, private schools charge tuition fees, so if you’re planning on taking this route, ensure there’s enough in your budget for it. A distinct advantage of private schools is that they aren’t zoned, so you have more options when it comes to choosing where to live.

Useful links

• Pennsylvania Association Of Independent Schools
• Waldorf School Of Pittsburgh
• Niche: Best Private Schools in the Pittsburgh Area

Special educational needs in Pittsburgh

Children with special educational needs are well-supported in Pittsburgh, with the city providing an extensive range of educational services and support for students with special needs in public schools. These services include learning, emotional, autistic, life skills, and multiple-disabilities support through individual school districts and the Allegheny Intermediate Unit.

Outside the public school system, the city has a few exceptional private schools that offer inclusive education. Pittsburgh also has several schools that cater to specific disabilities, such as the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children, Pressley Ridge School for the Deaf, and specialised schools through the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, including Sunrise School and Pathfinder School.

Useful links

• Arc Of Greater Pittsburgh (Achieva): Disability Support And Advocacy
• Allegheny County Family Resource Guide: Special Needs Support
• Western Pennsylvania School For Blind Children: Official Website
• Pressley Ridge School For The Deaf: Official Website
• Allegheny Intermediate Unit: Special Education Services

Tutors in Pittsburgh

There's a high demand for tutors in Pittsburgh, with many parents choosing to have their children tutored. There are a vast number of options available to students who require extra help with specific school subjects.

Pittsburgh Prep is a well-established test preparation and tutoring company, and larger platforms like Wyzant and Varsity Tutors connect families with local tutors. Grade Potential Tutoring and Kumon also serve the Pittsburgh area.

If you don’t want to work through a tutoring service, you’ll find that there are also many private tutors in the city, ranging from retired teachers to university students from Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh.

Useful links

• Pittsburgh Prep: Test Preparation And Tutoring Services
• Wyzant: Find Pittsburgh Tutors
• Varsity Tutors: Pittsburgh Tutoring Services
• Kumon: Math And Reading Centers