PHASE 4 Learning Center’s mission is to provide an exceptional education for at-risk youth that focuses on their academic, social, behavioral and future needs, enabling them to stay in school and graduate from high school prepared to become caring and contributing members of the community. PHASE 4 Learning Center, Inc., was recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education as one of the ten models for “Best Practices” in alternative education in the state, and in 2006 received full accreditation by the Middle States Association. Ranked as 4th largest private school in the region by Pittsburgh Business Times, PHASE 4 is proud to be part of the Simon Youth Foundation's mall school programs - honored by the National Dropout Prevention Centers Network in 2009 as one of 12 exemplary programs nationwide.

Programs:                                                                                                                                        Download Flyer

• Alternative Education Program - Serves at-risk students from grades 7-12
• Diploma Retrieval Program - Targets those students who have withdrawn from school and choose to return in order to earn their high school diplomas
• 3 Rivers Computer Clubhouse (licensed by the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network)
• March2Success standardized test taking and ASVAB training
• Summer School - Serving students from local school districts in need of summer school make-up courses

Basic Components of the Programs:

• One-on-one instructional support, mentoring, and counseling for students
  Ten-to-one student to teacher ratio
• Computer-assisted, Pennsylvania Department of Education-aligned curriculum
• Strong community partnerships and stakeholder relationships
• Outreach services for students and their families
• Employment training, internships, and higher education preparation

Achievements:

• Opened in September, 2003 at Century III Mall, West Mifflin, PA with one school district and six students
• In SY '07-'08 thirty-nine districts approved more than 500 students to attend one of three Phase 4 schools
• 143 students graduated in 2007
• Awarded full Middle States Accreditation in November, 2006 – acknowledged as “changing the regional landscape in education”
• Is an approved recipient of the Education Investment Tax Credit Program (EITC) and the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP).
• Recognized by Governor Rendell for offering an outstanding alternative education program to students – commended by First Lady and Judge Margorie Rendell for civics/citizenship program in 2005
• At the request of the Governor’s Action Team, designed and opened a campus model alternative education programs in Monessen and Washington
• With funding from the Heinz Foundation opened a school in East Liberty to serve students from the city of Pittsburgh and the eastern suburbs
• Internet based curriculum is aligned with the PA state standards. Expanding technology-delivered curriculum includes assessment, PSSA tutoring and higher level coursework
• Partnerships include: Foundation Community (Grable, Heinz, Pittsburgh, R.K. Mellon, Simon Youth Foundation), Allegheny County and City of Pittsburgh Workforce Investment Board, Pittsburgh Social Venture Partners and sending school districts, post-secondary schools, community agencies and corporate sponsors