Future Ready Plan Dashboard

At the direction of the Board of Directors to develop a Facilities Utilization Plan, District leaders presented a comprehensive vision for how Pittsburgh Public Schools can strategically use its buildings and resources to strengthen the entire educational landscape of our city.

This 50-page proposal goes beyond compliance. It serves as a forward-looking blueprint for how PPS can modernize learning environments, address long-standing financial challenges, and ensure every student has access to high-quality educational opportunities — regardless of zip code.

With school buildings averaging nearly 90 years in age, the plan includes a detailed analysis of the District’s current facilities, staffing patterns, enrollment trends, and financial realities. It also outlines 12 strategic recommendations aligned with the District’s Strategic Plan framework.

1. Creating safe, modern, and effective learning environments to ensure equitable access to high-quality education for all students.
2. Transitioning to a streamlined structure of foundational K-5 schools and developmentally responsive 6-8 middle schools to provide scalable pathways leading to high schools where students can make informed choices.
3. Transforming schools into vibrant community hubs to accommodate a broad range of activities and services beyond the traditional school day.
4. Conducting a comprehensive review of existing feeder patterns to enhance equity and resource efficiency.
5. Implementing a facilities utilization protocol to strategically evaluate school spaces for modern learning and working environments.
6. Introducing a comprehensive educational enhancement plan tailored to address the diverse needs of educators and students.
7. Incorporating Gholdy Muhammad's five pursuits into the facilities utilization plan with a focus on cultivating joy.
8. Developing scheduling and time allocation models prioritizing literacy, math, STEM, art, music, world language, physical education, and career exploration opportunities.
9. Implementing a unified safety plan covering both physical and academic aspects.
10. Developing a holistic strategy to eliminate racial and disability disparities in education.
11. Revitalizing and updating all magnet programs to ensure equitable access and standardized admissions.
12. Establishing a financial management protocol to identify areas for cost reduction without compromising educational quality.

How are we preparing for the future?

After reviewing the comprehensive report from the consulting firm of Education Resource Strategies (ERS), Pittsburgh Public Schools completed a two-part feasibility report and presented a new set of final

recommendations, resulting in the Future-Ready Facilities Plan. It will create scalable pathways to student success while reducing the recommended number of school closures from 14 to 12 and building closures from 10 to 9.

We examined many important factors, including:

• Enrollment trends
• Capacity, age, condition and quality of existing school buildings
• Location of schools relative to where students live
• Student experiences and school community dynamics
• Needs of special populations

 How are we preparing for the future?

Changes to our District will improve access, excellence and efficiency. Here’s how:

• More programs across the board in elementary will allow students to explore their passions.
• Developmentally responsive middle schools will prepare every student academically, creatively and socially for what comes next.
• PreK programs will remain accessible throughout the District.
• Secondary-level magnet programming will be preserved to help foster interests in various careers.
• Services provided by the Program for Students with Exceptionalities will be situated to reduce transitions and improve accessibility.
• Gifted and Talented programs will be integrated into local schools.
• English Language Development (ELD) sites will expand from 11 to 17 to better serve multilingual learners.
• Grade reconfigurations will improve student transitions, supports, opportunities and experiences.
• Credit recovery programs will remain in high schools, allowing students to stay engaged and supported in their home schools.
• Renovations and upgrades will modernize facilities in many buildings.

As we consider the best use of our buildings and other resources, we remain focused on these priority outcomes for all students, as outlined in our five-year strategic plan: Students First. Always, in all ways.

• Students are prepared for success in life.
• Students experience accessible, high-quality learning environments.
• Students benefit from community resources.
• Disparities in student outcomes are eliminated.
• Students are safe and socially, emotionally and physically healthy.
• Students are engaged in their learning and school community.