Pittsburgh Public Schools leaders recommend closing 14 schools

After years of discussion and potential closures, Pittsburgh Public Schools leaders this week released recommendations for the district’s restructuring — including the shuttering of 14 schools.

Because of declining enrollment, underutilization and aging infrastructure, the feasibility report advised the district to close the following schools:

• Allegheny 6-8
• Arsenal PreK-5
• Fulton PreK-5
• King PreK-8
• Linden PreK-5
• Manchester PreK-8
• Miller PreK-5
• Milliones 6-12
• Schiller 6-8
• Spring Hill K-5
• Woolslair PreK-5
• Roosevelt K-5
• South Brook 6-8
• South Hills 6-8

Three new schools would be created under the plan, including:

• A neighborhood middle school STEM pathway at the Manchester facility for North Side families
• A SciTech middle school at the Milliones facility, pending legal review
• A PreK-5 school at the Northview facility

The report said the potential Northview facility has partial support due to cost concerns related to new construction, so alternative facility options will be explored.

Superintendent Wayne Walters presented the comprehensive feasibility report, which can be found online, alongside district leadership Tuesday evening. The district is currently comprised of 54 schools.

“Tonight’s report is not merely an evaluation of physical spaces or enrollment numbers,” he said during the presentation. “It is a call to reimagine our educational practices to ensure that every student, regardless of background or neighborhood, benefits from expanded opportunities and experiences.”

The report was developed at the school board’s request in response to recommendations from Education Resource Strategies last October, Pittsburgh Public said, and it intends to optimize school configurations, improve resource allocation and enhance educational opportunities.

A draft facilities utilization plan was presented last April. In 2021, the district proposed closing six school buildings, five of which are included in the final list.

Restructuring

Aside from closing down 14 schools, the report advised the district to transition six K-8 schools — Brookline, Greenfield, Langley, Mifflin, Morrow and Sunnyside — to K-5 models.

Also under the plan, three PreK-8 schools — Arlington, Carmalt and Colfax — would be converted into 6-8 middle schools, and three 6-12 schools — Westinghouse, Obama, and SciTech — would be shifted to 9-12 high schools.

Pittsburgh Public’s full magnet schools at CAPA and Montessori PreK-5 will remain intact, but Montessori would relocate from the Friendship facility to Linden due to the $20 million in renovations needed at Friendship, the report said.

At CAPA, magnet enrollment procedures will be reviewed to “ensure equitable access,” particularly for middle school students, according to the report.

However, the report recommended transitioning Allegheny PreK-5, Dilworth PreK-5 and Liberty PreK-5 from full magnet programs to neighborhood schools to “strengthen local school models while aligning with community feedback.”

Obama International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program at Arsenal 6-8 would be expanded under the plan.

“While underutilization remains an issue, additional space can be used for tutoring, mental health services, after-school programs and community partnerships,” the report said. “The team will work closely with the legal department to assess the best approach to ensure program continuity.”

Ten other buildings besides the 14 schools will be closed under the plan as well, including Baxter (Student Achievement Center), Conroy, Friendship (Montessori), Fulton, King, McKelvy (Miller), Morrow (Primary), Schiller, Spring Hill and Woolslair.

Facilities at South Brook, South Hills and Roosevelt may be repurposed for other district programs, the report said, while others, such as Fulton and King, face significant challenges — making closure the “most viable option.”

The district also responded to the ERS’ recommendations for special education schools, online learning and center programs:

• Conroy and Online Academy: The team supports relocating both programs.
• Student Achievement Center: Leadership does not support relocation, as services can be effectively delivered in students’ feeder schools.
• Gifted Center: Leadership does support transitioning Gifted Center services to students’ home schools, as 66% of gifted students are concentrated in just five schools.
• Oliver Citywide Academy: ERS provided no recommendations, so future programming and satellite locations remain under district review.

The feasibility report will have a structured decision-making process, the district said, starting with the school board being asked to vote to begin a state-required public commentary period.

A mandatory public hearing on the proposed building closures will be scheduled as well, giving community members the opportunity to provide feedback.

If approved, the changes outlined in the feasibility report will be implemented in phases, the district said, to “minimize disruption and allow for detailed planning.”

“As we move forward, our focus remains on thoughtful execution, transparent engagement and a steadfast commitment to our students’ success,” Walters said. “The decisions made in the coming months will shape the future of Pittsburgh Public Schools, making us stronger and more equitable as a community.”