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District Proposes Reconfiguration of Pittsburgh Milliones 6-12
Recommends Relocation of Milliones 6-8 students to Pittsburgh Arsenal 6-8
On May 14, 2019, the District recommended the reconfiguration of University Preparatory School at Margaret Milliones 6-12 to a high school and the relocation of the school’s sixth-eighth graders to Pittsburgh Arsenal at the Board's Education Committee Meeting. The move will narrow the focus of the university preparatory school to serving students in grades 9-12 and provide an enhanced learning opportunity for students in grades 6-8 at Pittsburgh Arsenal (currently a Milliones 9th grade feeder school) for the start of the 2019-2020 school year. The Board is anticipated to vote on the recommendation at its June 19th Board Legislative Meeting.
“The students and families of Pittsburgh Milliones have long deserved the university preparatory school promised to them many years ago,” said Superintendent Anthony Hamlet. “Relocating grades sixth through eighth will provide students access to a strong middle school program while supporting the growth of a college-going culture at U-Prep.”
Relocation of Milliones Middle Grades
Pittsburgh Milliones 6-12, commonly known as U-Prep, opened as the District’s College Preparatory School in 2008. Academic progress has remained persistently stubborn at the school, particularly in the middle grades where in 2018 only 16.7 percent of students in grades 6-8 performed Proficient or Advanced on the Reading PSSA, and no students achieved proficient on the Mathematics exam. In comparison, Pittsburgh Arsenal 6-8, a five-year STAR school based on student academic growth, outpaces results for middle-grade students district-wide in Mathematics and closely mirrors district-wide results in English Language Arts. For African American students at Arsenal proficiency rates in Mathematics at 30.3 percent compared to 10.3 percent and ELA at 42.3 percent compared to 31.4 percent far exceeds their peers district-wide.
Currently, with a projected enrollment of 161 students for the 2019-2020 school year, Pittsburgh Arsenal can easily support the 99 students anticipated in grades 6-8 from Pittsburgh Milliones.
University Preparatory at Margaret Milliones
With the exception of our Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs, the Early College High School at U-Prep is the only PPS program that provides high school students the opportunity to both earn their high school diploma and college credit towards an Associate of Arts Degree, through a partnership with CCAC, at absolutely no cost to students or their family. Since the appointment of new leadership at the start of the school year, District staff have been meeting with school staff to reimagine the school’s university preparatory theme. A plan for high school is under development and will be shared with the Board and public at a later date.
News and Information
May 14, 2019 - Presentation: Pittsburgh Milliones Update
May 14, 2019 -News Release: District Proposes Reconfiguration of Pittsburgh Milliones 6-12 to Pittsburgh Milliones High School
Opportunities for Public Input
May 20, 2019 Board Public Hearing
May 28, 2019 Parent Meeting – Pittsburgh Milliones
June 4, 2019 Parent Meeting – Pittsburgh Arsenal (220 40th Street, Pittsburgh PA 15201) 5:00 PM _ Tour the facility and meet Principal Camper
June 5, 2019 Parent Meeting - Jeron X Grayson Center (1852 Enoch Street, Pittsburgh PA 15219) - 6:00 PM
June 17, 2019 Board Public Hearing