Success

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"We have 2 teenagers who attend City High and are very pleased with all the efforts put forward from the staff. The trimesters and 4-day school week is well managed, and the students seem to retain more of their studies than the other regular school schedules. CCH is very good with communications to the parents about grades and event involvement. A high focus is placed on safety in and around the school. Academics as well as Attendance are priority while including any help the students or parents may need. We highly recommend City High to anyone looking to provide a very good quality and structured education for their children as they transition into the next phase of their life." 5 Star Yelp Review from Parent Bert P.

"City High was the best possible thing that could’ve happened to me as an incoming freshman. In this school, I found a place to belong. I found lasting friendships and connections with teachers that I still have to this day. Never in my life have I ever felt so supported. Everything that I learned here changed my life and made me a better person. I write this as a senior in college and I still look back on my time at City High as some of the most fun I’ve ever had. I truly can’t imagine what my life would have been like if I didn’t have the privilege to go to this school and meet the wonderful people that I did." Katie Gerba, Class of 2019

"City High has left me with memories and experiences I would never forget, and helped instill the value of hard work, and kindness. City High has provided me with many opportunities that added a lot to my education and helped make me stand out while in college. I attended conferences, workshops, and college tours, interned with the city council, and even had the opportunity to travel to a different country with a scholarship! Coming from a low-income background, these are experiences that aren’t often afforded to people from my background! I know if I attended a different school in the city I’m sure I wouldn’t have!" Jeremiah Davis, Class of 2020

"We selected the school for its smaller classes, overall kind environment, and curriculum geared toward producing well-prepared, marketable students upon graduation. By all accounts, City Charter exceeded all expectations. Over the past four years, Samantha learned how to write essays, take good notes, became proficient in Microsoft Office, and perhaps most importantly, learned how to study. She is excited and prepared for college, and I firmly believe this is due to the City High educators. We are very grateful for the City High experience." Jed and Debbie Cohen, parents of Samantha, Class of 2022

“One of the Bright Spots in America’s Educational Future.”

- According to ABC’s Good Morning America

City Charter High School is a highly innovative public school in downtown Pittsburgh, founded as an exemplary research and development school for 21st century secondary urban education. The innovative approach is bringing acclaim to Pittsburgh… and the region.

“One of the most connected high school classrooms in America” is how U.S. News & World Report once described City High, citing:

Laptop Computers
Wireless Internet
Interactive Digital Workspaces
Technical Support Staff
Connectivity to School from Home
Technical Support Staff
Additional Technological Resources
High Online Engagement

Track Record

Since our first graduating class of 2006, we continually exceed all national/state averages with a 93% attendance rate, 93-97% graduation rate. And we reach these achievements with a diverse student population that averages 58% minority, 69% economically disadvantaged and 15% special needs.

At 96%, City Charter High School has one of the top graduation rates in the state, An essential key is an empowering public education that enables all students to develop skills at every level and become career-, college-, and work-ready for the modern world.

Learn More About Our Achievements

Awards & Accolades

Here are some of the recent achievements that have brought recognition to City Charter High School as well as our city and region.

PA Public Coaition of Charter Schools PACSP Grant Winner - $1.3 million over 3 years (2021-2024)
2020 Best Charter High School in the Pittsburgh Area —niche.com
Title I Distinguished school
We are proud to have produced 3 Gates Millennium scholars.
We are fortunate to have two award-winning robotics teams, competing in the FIRST Robotics Competition, an international high school contest that challenges teens from all over the world to create a fully functional robot designed to complete specific tasks.
Our Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE) teams have developed two successful new business models; one receiving 2nd place nationally in 2016, while the other placed 1st nationally in 2013 and 2014, and placed 2nd in 2014 in the worldwide competition held in Moscow.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recognized City High as one of its 2019,2020, 2022 Top Work Places.
2010 Effective Practice Incentive Community (“EPIC”) award for best-performing charter schools in the United States by New Leaders for New Schools.

The Pittsburgh Promise

The Pittsburgh Promise is a scholarship program sponsored by many local foundations, non-profit organizations and philanthropic individuals who believe in the power of education to transform a region.

92% of City Charter High School students qualify to receive the Pittsburgh Promise Scholarship. As Pittsburgh Promise Scholars, these students are awarded tuition and funding to supplement costs for books and room and board to an accredited college or university in Pennsylvania after federal and state grant funding has been applied through FASFA. Each student is awarded up to $20,000.

Recent Grants

ESSER I Grant: $217,000
PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) Health & Safety Grant: $82,373.00
Partner4Work Young Adult Workforce Services Grant: $64,500 (2019-2023)
PA Smart Grant: $35,000
PA Safe Schools Grant: $24,815
ReMake Learning Ignite Grant: $5,000
Division of Federal Programs- COVID Special Education Mitigation Grant: $5,000
PMC Properties: $50,000 for student scholarships (19-20)
Benedum Foundation: $10,000 (extended into 2021)