Propel is a not-for-profit school organization whose mission is to catalyze the transformation of public education in Southwestern Pennsylvania so that all children have access to high performing public schools.

Propel has become the largest, fastest-expanding set of charter schools in Pennsylvania. The first school opened in 2003 with 180 children; the school occupied a basement at the former Homestead Hospital. In 2009, 1,500 K-12 students now attend five newly renovated facilities in Homestead, Munhall, Turtle Creek, McKeesport, and Kennedy. Propel schools generally serve children from high-poverty, resource poor communities.

Across all its schools, 75% of students qualify for the federal free/reduced cost lunch program, 65% are a minority and 17% have special needs. By 2010-2011, Propel’s vision is to open three new schools and double the number of children served, becoming comparable in size to typical Southwestern Pennsylvania school districts.

Propel delivers three fundamental values to our community: Propel provides a choice for parents seeking a better education for their child. This is an especially important choice for high-poverty, resource poor families. Propel delivers results in student achievement, continually improving student performance and receiving high parent satisfaction ratings. Propel offers a replicable model for public schools to run effectively and efficiently.