Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship earns accreditation, grant money

Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship was awarded accreditation from the Commission on Elementary Schools of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools in April.

The accreditation will be effective until July 2029. An accredited school is an “educational organization that meets all MSA Standards for Accreditation, adheres to applicable MSA policies, and meets the requirements of the self-study protocol used,” according to a press release.

Terri Williams, PHCSE’s director of operations and innovation, said this is the school’s first time earning the achievement. Williams led the team that put together the application for the accreditation.

“It is a good feeling,” she said. “It is a strong accomplishment for all academic facilities.”

Standards evaluated included informational resources, the standard of life and activities for students and staff, health and safety, facilities and finances, and the governance for leadership, she said.

Williams said as part of the accreditation, the charter school has to submit an improvement plan. MSA will make a visit to ensure the school is meeting its standards.

PHCSE CEO Wayne Jones said the school will look into how to extend its learning and build diversity on its staff.

“Diversity is high on our expectation list,” Jones said. “We want to better align the racial makeup. We are going to educate them to better serve our children.”

The school was also granted $1.5 million from the Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools in early May. The grant was a part of Pennsylvania’s Charter School Program Grant. Jones said the grant will be received over the course of three years.

“It will help us expand our program and offer the latest and most important resources to ensure our students will be able to take on and lead in the 21st century,” Jones said.

He said the school plans to use the funds to help with the construction of a second floor that is beginning this summer.

“We will be able to enroll more than 200 students in school,” Jones said. “With this grant, we will be able to add more staff to help with the increase in students.”

Jones said the funds will also be used for a media room on the second floor to give students the opportunity to learn how to conduct professional interviews, and for the marketing budget to be able to reach parents and students beyond the PH community.

“We are tired of being this hidden secret in Penn Hills. More families need to be aware and know about us,” he said.