The Propel Difference

Propel Schools offers small class sizes that focus on providing each student with support and individualized attention. We also provide more time for instruction with a longer school day and longer school year, resulting in 25% more instructional time than required by the state. We use flexible grouping in literacy and math to ensure that children are receiving instruction at the appropriate level. Our team approach allows administrators, academic coaches, teachers and parents to work together to make these important decisions.
Below, you may view a sample schedule of a day at Propel.

 

A typical school day at Propel includes:

Propel High Schools offer students the same relevance and rigor found in our K – 8 schools. Our students in grades 9 – 12 are challenged with coursework that will lead them to college, career and beyond! Opportunities to earn college credits, take on real-world internships and be involved in community projects are an integral part of each student’s experience.

To best serve our high school students:

• Classes are 48 minutes in length
• Students take ownership of their education via elective courses
• Student leadership opportunities are encouraged
• We offer an Afterschool Program that stresses academics as well as social and enrichment activities.

Creating a Culture of Wellness for Propel Schools

Propel Partners in Wellness (PPIW) is Propel School’s support program to help students and families have a healthy and productive school year. PPIW provides enhanced school-based opportunities for students and families, creating avenues for continued growth and success.

Nationally, 20% of children have mental wellness issues that, if not addressed at an early age, can impact every part of their life—academic success, socialization skills and the ability to meet both current and future challenges.

Considering that children spend much of their time in school, this creates and opportunity for more school-based mental wellness services to support the child. Through a partnership with Mon Yough Community Services of UPMC, Propel Schools provides a comprehensive wellness support system. The goal of this partnership is to increase positive interactions and experiences that lead to the overall health and wellness of students, families and staff by providing direct services, strategies and tools to help reduce barriers to learning.

PPIW Key Components

Propel Partners in Wellness is committed to supporting and evolving Propel’s mission by providing our scholars with dedicated mental wellness support at school. We develop routines and practices through three collaborative efforts:

1. Direct Services for Scholars and Families
2. Family Engagement for Healthy and Successful Futures
3. Professional Development to Support Propel Staff

Community Wellness Centers

Propel Commmunity Wellness Centers provide needed outreach and programming to Propel staff and scholars, their families and the community at large. serving as “the hub” of it neighborhood, uniting families, educators and community partners; providing all scholars with top-quality academics, enrichment, health, and social services and opportunities to succeed in school and in life.

Programming Features

HEALTH & WELLNESS: physical, mental, emotional and social activities, events and support designed to keep families healthy inside and out.

PARENT EDUCATION: employment and professional growth opportunities to provide access and resources in support of college and career growth, support services and training to provide families the tools for building and maintaining healthy and functioning families.

EXTENDED LEARNING OPPORTUNITY/YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: mentoring and engaging instruction for youth seeking expanded learning opportunities.

FAMILY & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: social and service opportunities to support the community and its families.

There are a lot of fantastic events at the Propel Northside Community Wellness Center. Click here for details.

There are a lot of awesome events at the Propel Hazelwood Community Wellness Center. Click here for details.

Creative Arts

The CreativeArts program brings the importance of arts education to the forefront of curricular offerings. By making the arts a core part of learning, our students will actively engage with local professional artists, allowing them to be expressive and active members of a classroom. This vital program gives students the opportunity to express themselves, their experiences and their hopes for the future.
Vision
The CreativeArts Program provides students with a wide array of fine arts classes as an essential, required part of the core curriculum. In accordance with Propel standards, this program adheres to the standards of the Fully Valued Arts Program principle: Artistic expression and creativity are essential components of a complete education.
Goal
All students will receive instruction from the best professional artists in the Pittsburgh area. Teaching artists are in residency at Propel for twelve-week trimesters. CreativeArts classes are taught by professionals in the fields of musical theater, dance, martial arts, media and physical education. As a culmination to the trimester, students will showcase their accomplishments in a “Celebration of Learning.” These assemblies are ways for students to show engagement with and mastery of the arts, as well as gain valuable experience and confidence by performing in front of an audience.
Rationale
The CreativeArts Program provides students with access to practicing, professional resident artists, working throughout the entire school year, as part of the standard, core curriculum. The culture of the school building is reflected in these arts classes and every student receives in excess of 50 minutes of arts education per day, giving them the opportunity to learn the value of the arts, express their emotions and experiences via the arts and create their own path toward excellence. CreativeArts allows Propel students to use the arts as a way to align with the entire educational experience, both during the school day and as a part of the Afterschool Program.

Science

Propel’s Science programming allows students to work within the sciences in a real and relevant way, bringing science to life. STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) science will bring a holistic viewpoint to students, preparing them for college and career. Propel’s Science programming also partners with local, regional and national experts and corporations, allowing our students access to cutting-edge technologies and real-world scenarios.

Technology

Technology integration has always been a foundational element at Propel Schools. Our teachers use technology best practices to enhance and expand instruction. We assure that every child is fluent in the use of both current and emerging technologies. Preparing students for 21st century living includes using technology as a tool for living, learning and working.

Our multi-tiered approach to technology begins at the Administrative level. Propel is supported by a full-time Director of Technology Integration as well as two K – 12 Technology Integration Specialists. They guide all of Propel’s schools through the principles and best practices of technology, aligning them with our curriculum and infusing them with real-life relevance. At the school tier, teachers in every building are supported by a Technology Liaison, assuring instant assistance with issues and ongoing professional development. At the third tier, students receive robust and relevant exposure to technology beginning in Kindergarten. Finally, the family tier sees technologies that assist with home/school communication, allowing families to be partners in the education of their students.

Afterschool

Propel’s Afterschool Programs serve students in all 13 Propel schools. From Kindergarten to 12th grade, we bring quality programming to students during out-of-school time. Partnering with 21st Century Community Learning Centers, APOST and others, we are proud to fill this need for our students and families.

Discovery Aces

Discovery Aces is the Propel-wide enrichment program for students who demonstrate higher-level skills. Discovery Aces students participate in a number of community projects as well as national competitions in science, mathematics, technology, writing and the arts.

Fund My Future

Fund My Future is a program administered by the Propel Schools Foundation to help families in Pennsylvania save for their children’s college and other post-secondary goals. Fund My Future provides a prize pool that makes the saving experience fun. Community events with partners make it easy to save in a variety of ways and places. A full description of the Fund My Future program is available here.

Propel Fund My Future Account Rules

In order to make it easy for families of Propel students to participate, the Propel Schools Foundation offers to open and maintain bank accounts at Dollar Bank for any student currently enrolled at a Propel school. Non-Propel families may participate in Fund My Future, but they must set up their own bank accounts.

School Bank Days:
THURSDAYS: Homestead, East, Montour Elem, BHES, BHMS, McKeesport, Montour Middle, Montour High School, ASHS, and BHHS
FRIDAYS: Hazelwood, Northside and Pitcairn

When a first deposit is received from a Propel student (usually during the weekly bank-at-school session held at each Propel school), a bank account will be opened automatically for that student. Only current Propel students are eligible for these special Propel Fund My Future accounts. The student and the student’s parent/guardian may make or authorize deposits to the student’s Propel Fund My Future account. Withdrawals are discussed below.

Propel Fund My Future Account Information

The Propel Fund My Future account will be opened at Dollar Bank after the first deposit is made. The noninterest-bearing account will grow through deposits made or authorized by the student and/or the parent/guardian. All Propel Fund My Future account assets will be held by the Propel Schools Foundation for the student in accordance with program rules. At the time the account is opened, we will identify the parent(s)/guardian(s) with whom the Propel student resides (according to information in Propel’s Skyward student information system). We consider these individuals to be the Primary Depositor(s). We will only share information about the Fund My Future Account’s existence, balance or transactions with: 1) the Primary Depositor(s) or 2) the student/graduate once she or he reaches the age of 18.

You are under no obligation to participate in this program. You will be assessed no penalties, monetary or otherwise, for choosing not to participate.

When you make a deposit to a Propel Fund My Future account, the Propel Fund My Future account will automatically be linked to the Fund My Future portal, and you will receive raffle tickets in accordance with the Fund My Future program rules. Making or authorizing a deposit to the Fund My Future account indicates your acceptance both of the Fund My Future program rules (located here) and these Propel Fund My Future account rules.

Dormancy

You may use the account as frequently or infrequently as you would like, or as you are able. However, should the account remain dormant (no deposit activity) for six consecutive months, Propel Schools Foundation reserves the right to close the account. In that event, any money deposited would be returned to you, the Primary Depositor(s).

Withdrawals

This account is intended to help fund your child’s future education, and qualified withdrawals may be made for higher education expenses such as tuition, fees, books, or supplies. However, we understand that emergencies may arise and the immediate need for money may conflict with the need to save for the future. In these instances, you will need to complete a Withdrawal Form and obtain the signatures of each of the Primary Depositor(s). All withdrawals are done through the Fund My Future program office. Processing of all withdrawals will take a minimum of seven business days.

This account is not intended to take the place of a transactional checking or savings account. In the event that you have made more than one non-qualified withdrawal in a year, Propel Schools Foundation reserves the right to close the account. In that event, any money deposited would be returned to you, the Primary Depositor(s).

When a student graduates from Propel or leaves Propel before graduating, efforts will be made to disburse funds in the Fund My Future Account. The process used will depend on the balance in the account.

If the balance is less than $25, we will mail a check payable to the student/graduate (if 18 or over) or the Primary Depositor(s) otherwise.

If the balance is $25 or more, we require a signed Withdrawal Form. The Withdrawal Form must be signed by each of the Primary Depositor(s) and the student/graduate (if 18 or over). We will reach out by phone, email and regular mail to the Primary Depositor(s) and the student/graduate (if 18 or over) in order to secure a signed Withdrawal Form. Funds will be disbursed by check in accordance with instructions provided on the fully signed Withdrawal Form. Generally, checks can be made to payable to the student/graduate (if 18 or over), to the Primary Depositor(s) (if student is not yet 18), to a college or school that the student/graduate is attending or to both the student/graduate and the Primary Depositor(s).

In the event that all required signatures (each Primary Depositor and the student/graduate if 18 or over) cannot be obtained on a Withdrawal Form, Propel Schools will use its discretion to appropriately hold or disburse funds.

Opting Out of Participation

You are under no obligation to use the account. You will be assessed no penalties, monetary or otherwise, for choosing not to participate. You do not need to notify us if you do not wish to participate. However, you may notify us that you prefer not to participate in which case we will not accept deposits from your child and will not open an account for your child. In that case, please inform us in writing.

Additional Notes

Propel Schools Foundation reserves the right to make updates or changes to the program at any time. Should changes be made, you will receive timely notice of the changes.

For more information, view our FAQ

Please email the Fund My Future Team at info@fundmyfuturepa.org.