1997:

• ■ Co-founders began the Charter School planning discussions.
• ■ Awarded PA Department of Education charter school planning Grant.

1999:

• ■ Charter Application presented to Gateway School District.
• ■ Year Founded. Gateway School Board approved charter for 5 years.
• ■ The 1st charter school of its kind in the nation.
• ■ Co-founders awarded grants from Edith L. Trees & Pittsburgh Foundation.

2000:

• ■ Rented and moved into a small building on Old Wm. Penn Hwy, Monroeville
• ■ 1st day of school, max. enrollment of 24 students, ages 14 to 21.

2002:

• ■ Leased & moved into a larger building on Northern Pike, Monroeville.

2003:

• ■ Received approval from the Gateway School Board to lower eligibility entrance age from 14 to 13 years old.

2004:

• ■ Gateway School Board grants request to increase student enrollment to 32 and the charter is renewed for 5 more years.

2005:

• ■ Received a 2-Year PA Dept. of Education Special Education Performance Grant; "Transition to Community-based Employment"
• ■ Featured on NBC's Today Show as part of their autism 10 part series.

2008:

• ■ PA Dept. of Public Welfare Bureau of Autism awards Spectrum a 2-year Grant;"Transition to Community-based Employment.

2009:

• ■ WTAE news crew videotape Spectrum students working with the Keepon Robot.
• ■ Purchased 3.9 acres, including the school building & The Autism Society of Pittsburgh Office Building.

2011:

• ■ Board of Trustees approved the motion to move forward with the renovation & expansion project.

2012:

• ■ Chosen to participate in the Green Building Alliance of Pittsburgh's Green Schools Academy's Sustainability Culture Program.
• ■ Students have volunteered an estimated 12,000 hours in the community since 2000.
• ■ Full enrollment and a waiting list.