Save the Friendship Montessori School

Earlier this year, Pittsburgh Public Schools engaged a consultant from Boston to create a consolidation plan which controversially proposes the closure of 14 schools, including the iconic Friendship School. This plan leaves the treasured school and community space permanently shuttered, displacing students and potentially leading to blight and decline in our neighborhood.

The Friendship School, which sits in the heart of the Friendship neighborhood, is currently home to the PPS Montessori PreK-5 program; a thriving, vibrant school community. Built in 1899, the school is an architectural gem and designated historic landmark. The building, designed for quality education, is filled with functional beauty and charm that makes it an ideal Montessori learning environment. Many of the students walk and bike to school, but families come from across the district to be a part of the highly sought-after Friendship Montessori school community.

Moreover, the school grounds are a vital gathering place, utilized by residents, sports teams, community groups, churches, and more. The beloved play park, built by Friendship Community Group, serves as a public amenity and a testament to the strong community involvement that surrounds the school.

While we acknowledge that maintaining a historic building poses challenges, we firmly believe that the Friendship School is worth the investment. Closing this school would not only displace a tight knit family of students but also deprive the community of a vital resource. Instead of viewing it as an expense to cut, let’s see it as an opportunity—an opportunity to maintain the vitality of our district and our community.

We urge Pittsburgh Public Schools to explore grant opportunities and engage with potential funders to secure the necessary resources for renovation and accessibility upgrades. The Friendship School can meet the standards for a healthy, equitable school environment while continuing to serve as a cherished community space. Through our network of architects, engineers, attorneys and grant writers, the Friendship Community Group is committed to assisting PPS in any way necessary to achieve this goal. 

The Friendship School is not just a school building; it is the beating heart of our neighborhood. Sign this petition to demand that the school board abandon the plan to close the Friendship School and commit to investing in its future!

Together, we can ensure that this iconic landmark continues to serve our community for generations to come.