About our School
Great News!
On Earth Day, Spectrum Charter School was awarded a PA Department of Environmental Protection Education Grant by Governor Corbett. These funds will be used to teach students about watersheds and related fields in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. We will be purchasing rain barrels, seeds, gardening tools, mini greenhouses, and water conservation books.
Also in relationship to this grant, Spectrum will be partnering with the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority (ALCOSAN) Scholastic Outreach Program who will provide presentations and hands on watershed activities.
Click here to see the Governor's Press Release.
Students Attending Spectrum Charter School
Students who attend Spectrum Charter School are very diverse and multi-cultured; pre-kindergarten academics through 12th grade precollege academic courses are taught.
The Curriculum
The curriculum is research-based and is compiled of traditional (i.e. science, history, math), functional(independent living skills) and transitional (school-to-work) academics. The curriculum includes on-line general and college prep courses, meets the students strengths, interests, and needs, and is aligned with the Pennsylvania Academic and the Common Core State Standards. Working, volunteering, and learning in the community are an integral part of our curriculum and our mission.
Yoga, social therapy, sex education and recycling is also a part of our program.
Teacher to Student Ratio
1 Certified Special Education Teacher & 1 Para-educator per 8 students
Our School Day Hours
8:30 am - 3:00 pm.
Each Student Brings a Bag Lunch
Spectrum Charter School has full kitchen facilities for lunch preparation, refrigerator, microwaves, plates and utensils.
Tuition & Transportation
Tuition: The student’s home school district (district of residence) pays the tuition. Transportation: students living within a 10 mile radius of Spectrum Charter School are provided transportation by the student’s home school district (district of residence) at no cost to the parent/guardian. There have been exceptions with some school districts providing transportation outside of the 10-mile radius at no cost to the parent.
Reduce-Reuse-Recycle Program
Spectrum Charter School is working hard at becoming more environmentally friendly. Our program includes reducing our consumption of resources, reusing materials, furniture, etc. as much as possible. When we no longer have any use of the item, it is donated to a person or organization that can use it. Recycling items like paper, plastic bottles and bags, aerosol cans, cardboard, and hard to recycle items.
Renovation and Expansion
We are currently in the preliminary stages of developing a building renovation and expansion plan. The preliminary plan includes energy efficient, healthy and high performance strategies.
Green Schools Academy
The Green Building Alliance (GBA) has gone back to school, and Spectrum Charter School is going with them. GBA has created a Green Schools Academy to promote healthy and high-performing schools for all the students, staff and communities of Western Pennsylvania. The first program of the Academy, the School Sustainability Culture Program, will assist the Spectrum Charter School and other schools with intergrating sustainability into the buildings, curriculum and culture by providing inspirational, comprehensive and developmental education.
Along with 7 other schools in the region, Spectrum Charter School has begun a ten-month journey as a member of the Founding Class of the Green Schools Academy by participating in the School Sustainability Culture Program.
Look for updates about the Spectrum Charter School's progress for intergrating sustainability into our school building, curriculum and culture.
Affiliations
The PA Coalition of Charter School's
Greater Pittsburgh Non-Profit Organizations
PA Association of Nonprofit Organizations
Green Building Alliance of Pittsburgh
Kidsburgh.org
Monroeville Chamber
Sustainable Monroeville
Monroeville Business Recycling Committee
Great Non-Profits.org
Mentoring Leadership & Resource Network
(FERPA)Family Educational Rights & privacy
What They Say About Us
"Spectrum Charter School is a one-of-a-kind school. My son is 19 and is in his 5th year there. He will be there until he is 21. He has always loved school, has always done well in school, and has had great teachers throughout his schooling years. When he started at Spectrum Charter School, he entered a new world of learning and growing.
-Parent
"I have seen the teachers communicate well with him, teaching him the finer points of life. Spectrum Charter School gives the extra help to students who need it AND enhances the skills of students when they are ready to move beyond what they have learned.
-Parent
"The staff truly cares about the students learning and growing AT THEIR PACE, and they introduce new things to students when they are ready. Given the choice of Spectrum Charter School and other schools, Spectrum Charter School would definitely be my choice. They are preparing him for life after graduation."
-Parent
"We have been absolutely thrilled with our son's education and community integration through Spectrum Charter School. After a couple of not so successful school years at various educations placements, it was such a relief to finally find the place that not only cares about his well-being but also realized that he is capable of learning despite having a diagnosis of autism. The teachers and faculty at this school are AMAZING!
-Parent
"Through the dedication of his teachers and sound networking in resources, the school has helped my son grow into a confident and happy young man. He will be graduating this year, which will be another major transition for him. However, his teachers and staff have worked hard with us to make sure that he will be prepared for the appropriate after-school vocation. Spectrum will surely be missed"
-Parent
"Spectrum has been a very wonderful and rewarding experience for my son. He has matured into a healthy, young man with new skills and enhancing the old skills. I would highly recommend anyone with a disability to check out Spectrum"
-Parent
"Spectrum is a very special place for very special kids. The staff work hard to meet each child's needs. I am grateful there is a place called Spectrum Charter School."
-Parent
"We moved from Florida to Pittsburgh about five and a half years ago, and didn't know where to place our then 16-year-old son. He ended up in public school and was traumatized by the environment. We found out about Spectrum Charter School, where he was enrolled after a short waiting period. Since,then he has never been in a more conducive, caring and healthy surrounding for learning and socializing. Spectrum has practically been my son's second family. Through the dedication of his teachers and sound networking in resources, the school has helped my son grow into a confident and happy young man. He will be graduating this year, which will be another major transition for him. However, his teachers and staff have worked hard with us to make sure he will be prepared for the appropriate after-school vocation."
-Parent
