Schenley High School

Schenley High School is an International Baccalaureate program in Pittsburgh. In addition to a top rate faculty which excels in teaching academics, it also has an amazing school spirit which has survived changing locations, and combining the middle school program with the high school program in an existing middle school which has been adapted to try and accommodate both middle and high. The gym space is limited and the physical building itself is not equipped for its present use. Yet in spite of these drawbacks, the students are succeeding and the faculty retains its spirit. It truly deserves recognition and some help.

I have had kids at Schenley from 1998 -2007, in the IB program, the PSP and the Spartan Classics. My family finally moved away from the district, because Schenley increasingly failed to meet the needs of our children, especially since the moves by the shool board to close the school (which became public about three years ago). The IB program that used to be a challenging program for self motivated academically inclined kids, offering smaller class size and enthusiastic faculty, has also declined significantly, as the exceptional teachers and students have by and large gone elsewhere. 'A mind is a terrible thing to waste' -- I'm afraid my 17 year old son falls into that category due to his years at Schenley.
--Submitted by a parent

The higher level programs are great, the IB, I wish they offered more AP classes without the IB tag, however, if you are an honor student, this school is great. If your child is mainstream though, I think that the classes are very below standard, partly due to students, and partly due to underqualified teachers
--Submitted by a student

It truly an amazing place. The perfect mix of social, academics and extracurriculars. As an IB student I played soccer and also participated as a stage manager for the annual musical. I felt prepared for college academically, with a strong support staff of CAS and IB teachers and counselors. The college application process could have been more effective and helpful. The faculty and students are truly diverse. Though social segregation does occur the appreciation of each other is truly something you dont find anywhere else in the city. You learn such valuable lessons at this school even if some of the IB curriculum is busy work. I would highly recommend Schenley to any student in the Pittsburgh area. Also I learned at Schenley your education is what YOU will make of it, such an important lesson while at college.
--Submitted by Kim Steimer, a former student

We had a child in the IB program at Schenley, taking the full IB load. He had a fine experience there, and the IB teachers are second to none. The school is a mixed environment, to be sure, but there was a coterie of a dozen or two dozen high-end kids who stayed friends, received a great education, and saw an honest part of the way the world works. Our son was in the band, which experience was good but perhaps not great. Alternatively, the school musical reached for and achieved real and substantial excellence. It's a source of pride and camaraderie throughout the whole school, and lucky (and skilled) is the student chosen to perform. Discipline is excellent, in an environment that can be tough at times.
--Submitted by a parent

Schenley is a really good school! Send your child there today!
--Submitted by JerViana Philliks, a parent

I am a current student who enjoys Schenley a lot. We are only one of 2 schools in the region to have the International Baccalaureate program (like AP classes). We are one of the biggest winners in the Gene Kelly Awards for our musicals. We also have great sports teams and music groups, along with many other extracurricular activities. Schenley has an international studies magnet with advanced language instruction and also a technological studies magnet. I am in the honors program (CAS/IB) which is I feel is providing me with a quality education, with a great atmosphere. However, I think the learning environment is pretty bad in some of the lower classes (like Spartan Classics). Schenley seems rather segregated in terms of which classes you take (advanced or not), however, I've noticed this among all schools I've gone to. Overall, Schenley's a great school!
--Submitted by a student