Pittsburgh School District

The Pittsburgh School District encompasses 54 schools, including 34 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, 9 high schools, and 4 alternative schools. The district serves a diverse student population and demonstrates a wide range of academic performance across its schools.

Several schools stand out as high-performing, such as Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12, a 6-12 magnet school that consistently ranks among the top schools in Pennsylvania, and Pittsburgh Science and Technology Academy 6-12, another 6-12 school that ranks 15th out of 686 Pennsylvania high schools. At the elementary level, Pittsburgh Greenfield K-8 and Pittsburgh Montessori K-5 also demonstrate exceptional academic performance, ranking in the top 25% of Pennsylvania elementary schools.

However, the district also faces significant performance gaps, with some schools struggling to meet academic standards. The data suggests a strong correlation between poverty, as measured by free and reduced-price lunch rates, and lower academic achievement. Additionally, the district's middle and high schools generally underperform compared to the stronger elementary schools, pointing to the need for targeted interventions at the secondary level. Overall, the Pittsburgh School District presents a complex landscape, with pockets of excellence alongside persistent challenges in ensuring equitable access to quality education for all students.