Special education, Gifted education
and English Language Learners

Special education

The Pittsburgh district serves students with special needs through supports and services within schools and at special education centers. To see which services are provided in schools in the 2021-22 school year, see the school pages in the 2021 Report to the Community. For a list of special education centers with contact information, click here. For more information, visit pghschools.org/domain/1307.

The Pittsburgh Local Task Force on the Right to Education is a support and advocacy group for families. Visit pghschools.org/Page/1130 to learn more.

The district also provides early intervention evaluation and services for children under 5. Visit pghschools.org/domain/1333 or call the PPS Early Intervention office at 412-529-4000.

“Gifted” education

Services for students who are identified as gifted fall within special education. The district’s Gifted and Talented program aims to provide opportunities and experiences to help students extend their learning, develop individual potential, and become life-long, independent learners.

Students can be gifted in many ways, not just by being high achievers on tests. As a parent/guardian, you can request that your child be evaluated for the gifted program as early as kindergarten. The evaluation may include a collection of your child’s work (school work and/or creative work), a teacher’s recommendation, one-on-one testing, grades and scores from other tests your child has taken, and information from you. You will be asked to sign a form giving permission for your child to be evaluated. The district is required to keep you involved and informed throughout the process.

Gifted programming

Most kindergarten through 8th graders who are identified as gifted are bussed from their home schools to the Pittsburgh Gifted Center in Crafton Heights one day a week for classes. Students at Dilworth, Grandview, and Sci-Tech receive gifted education at their schools.

In grades 9-12, students can take two types of advanced classes: Centers for Advanced Study (CAS), and Advanced Placement (AP). Students who haven’t been identified as gifted can also apply to take CAS and AP classes. For CAS students who are black, the African American Centers for Advanced Studies Council provides advocacy and support.

For more information, go to pghschools.org/domain/1306, or call the district’s Gifted and Talented Office at 412-529-3021.

English Language Learners

For students who speak a first language other than English, the district offers intensive instruction in the English language at regional centers in four elementary, two K-8, two 6-8, and two high schools. For help enrolling your child, visit pghschools.org/Page/645 or call the PPS ESL office at 412-529-3516 or 412-529-3620.