See how much your PPS school could grow under a closing offer

The size of many elementary and middle schools in Pittsburgh could double or triple if city school board members vote to introduce a proposal to consolidate the schools.

Educational Resource Strategies (ERS) consultants hired by Pittsburgh Public Schools to study the facility footprint say closing and consolidating schools would better distribute the district’s students and resources. Their latest recommendations It comes at a time when enrollment rates are declining, infrastructure is aging, and there is disparate access to district resources.

Internal usage report obtained by WESA earlier this year Area schools were found to be just over 50% occupied on average. If ERS’ proposal is approved, 10 school buildings would be closed and more than a dozen would be restructured.

The district’s newly consolidated K-12 schools will average 70% full, according to WESA’s analysis of school capacity and enrollment figures (ERS) presented to school board members last month.

The proposed school enrollment data assumes that all K-8 students attending closed schools or phased-out magnet programs are moved to newly consolidated neighborhood schools.

Under this scenario, schools such as Weil PreK-5 in the Hill District and Manchester PreK-8 on the North Side would roughly triple in size. Major renovations will be required to increase the capacity of the second building.

Consultants recommended that PPS transform Manchester PreK-8, currently one of the district’s smallest schools, into a middle school center for the city’s North Side with 436 additional students. Their recommendations point to the region’s growing English-language learner population as well as Manchester’s proximity to charter schools competing for city students.

“Investing in a significantly renovated facility could attract families back to the area,” consultants told board members.

Weil would grow by 410 students by adding students from nearby Miller K-5 and students currently leaving the Hill District and attending the area’s elite magnet schools. advisors in august originally suggested He pinned Weil on Miller, but ultimately reversed course, citing Weil’s more central location and better amenities.

Meanwhile, the city’s high schools will either remain relatively stable or shrink as the district’s total 6-12 schools are split into traditional middle and high school models. PPS leaders say doing so would better provide students with developmentally appropriate support.

At Westinghouse Academy in Homewood, this will result in 200 middle school students moving to Sterrett 6-8 in Point Breeze. Under the proposal, Westinghouse would be the smallest high school in the district, with only 362 students.

Consultants advised school leaders to consider alternative uses for any vacant space created by consolidations, such as teacher centers dedicated to professional learning and space for community partners to provide services to families.

District leaders are currently exploring the feasibility of this plan before going to a vote. Enrollment and capacity figures may also vary based on district class size requirements; This varies depending on which classes the building serves:

• Early childhood centers serve up to 20 students per classroom
• K-5 schools serve up to 25 students per classroom
• K-8 schools serve up to 26 students per classroom
• Up to 28 students per class are taught in 6-8 schools
• 6-12 schools serve up to 29 students per classroom
• 9-12 schools serve up to 30 students per classroom

Integrated programs such as Montessori and special education classrooms have different boundaries. Standard special education classes serve a maximum of 12 students, small classes serve a maximum of six students, and autistic support and multiple disability classes serve a maximum of eight students.

School board President Gene Walker said district leaders will do what they think is best to ensure equity in the district.

“And work really hard to make sure that the families who are most impacted by this get the resources and support they need during the transition, so that it becomes a positive experience in the long run,” she said.