City Charter High School
Michelle Fossum
Director of Enrollment and Strategic Communications
An accomplished educator and school leader, Michelle Fossum brings a wealth of experience from her many experiences in innovative, urban educational environments. Michelle has worked at City Charter High School for 20 years, and during that time, she has worked as an Information Literacy teacher, been in leadership roles as an Educational Leader and a grade-level team leader, and also served as a mentor to many of her fellow staff members. Currently, Michelle works as the Director of Enrollment and Strategic Communication. She believes in the value of using a nuanced and strategic approach to coordinate the school’s recruitment and marketing efforts as well as internal and external communications to students, staff, families, and the community through newsletters, announcements, and social media. She is also the proud City High parent of a Class of 2025 student!
Michelle holds a K-12 Administration certificate, an M.S. in Educational Leadership and Administration, and a Master of Library Science, complemented by teaching certificates in English and Library Science. Michelle earned her bachelor's degree from Penn State in English, with a focus on creative writing and a minor in Architectural History. Before her tenure at City High, Michelle's career path showcased her versatility, including stints as a graphic artist for a meteorologic company, a museum library archivist, and a high school librarian.
City Charter High School Ranked #1 Charter High School in the Pittsburgh Area
City Charter High School has been named the #1 Charter High School in the Pittsburgh Area for 2025 by Niche. This recognition highlights City High's outstanding performance in academics, extracurriculars, and community impact, based on data from sources like the U.S. Department of Education. Read more
WPXI features story on City High's 4 Day School Week
In August, our innovative 4-day school week was featured on WPXI. The segment highlighted how this schedule benefits both students and staff by providing an extra day for self-directed learning, work opportunities, or rest. The feature showcased City High's commitment to student-centered learning. Read more
City Charter High School CEO Dr. Dara Ware Allen Featured on iHeartMedia's "CEO You Should Know" Podcast
City High School CEO Dr. Dara Ware Allen was recently featured on iHeartMedia's *CEOs You Should Know* podcast, where she discussed her leadership at the innovative public charter school. Read more
Amazon Fuels Tech Dreams: City Charter High School Student Awarded up to $40,000 College Scholarship to Pursue Computer Science, Engineering
Destiny Downer is among 400 Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship recipients to receive an up to $40,000 scholarship to study computer science or engineering starting this fall, a potential paid internship at Amazon after their freshman year of college, and more Read more
City Charter High School Students and Teachers Embark on Transformative Journey to Costa Rica
City Charter High School's Latin American Studies International Service Learning Program recently returned to Costa Rica with 14 students and 4 teachers. Engaging in community service and exploring rainforests, the trip fostered empathy and global citizenship. Read more
City Charter High School Achieves Middle States Accreditation, Unveils Strategic Objectives for 2023-2030
City Charter High School proudly announces its official Middle States Accreditation, reflecting its commitment to academic excellence and inclusive learning for grades 9-12. The accreditation aligns with strategic objectives for 2023-2030, emphasizing equity, honors, and student well-being. Read more
City High Receives Commendation for Its Cafeteria Program
City High's School Food Services received commendation from the PA Department of Education for their fresh ingredient use and emphasis on scratch cooking. The recognition underscores dedication to nutrition excellence. Read more