What is Pace School?
Pace School is a placement option for school districts in Allegheny and surrounding counties that serves kids, K-9, with emotional challenges or Autism.
Licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the State Board of Private Academic Schools, Pace School is one of 34 Approved Private Schools (APS) in Pennsylvania. APS special education programs were established by statute in 1961 to serve children with the most severe disabilities.
When did Pace School begin services?
Pace School opened its doors in 1967. The school is located on six acres in the Churchill Borough at 2432 Greensburg Pike.
Who attends the School?
Students at Pace School are educationally diagnosed with one of the following: autism, emotional disturbance, or pervasive developmental delay. Additionally, each student at Pace School also has one to four mental health diagnoses. Pace School has the capacity for 200 children. Four classrooms-primary, intermediate and middle school-are dedicated to students with the autism spectrum disorder.
What distinguishes the students at Pace School?
- 100% qualify in a category of special education (see "Who attends the school?")
- 100% have maximized the support services available in their school districts
- 100% have at least one mental health diagnosis
- On average, students entering Pacde School are two to three years below grade level in reading and math
How do students enroll at Pace School?
A referral must come through the child or youth's home school district, department of special education.
How is Pace School the same as a public school; how is it different?
Pace School provides the typical range of academic subjects: reading, math, social studies, science, health/physical education, art, music and computers. Services include speech and language, reading specialist and psychological services. The School is different because mental health services are blended across all parts of the school day. Mental health therapists, "milieu therapists," psychiatric nurses and psychiatrists work alongside special education teachers to deliver a community-based, integrated special education and "school-based partial hospitalization program."
How do kids and families benefit?
- Diversion from psychiatric hospitalizations
- Identification and coordination of other resources and services needed by the family
- Life-changing improvements in academic, school survival and life-management skills
- Children may return to public school, ready to learn!