Nestled in Pittsburgh’s East End, the Environmental Charter School (ECS) is redefining education by blending academic excellence with a deep commitment to sustainability. ECS’s mission is clear: to educate students to high academic standards while fostering a love and respect for the environment, empowering them to preserve it for future generations.
“At ECS, we’re not just teaching students—we’re growing citizens,” says Dr. Amanda Cribbs, Superintendent. “Through innovative curricula and hands-on learning experiences, we prepare our students to be thoughtful, collaborative, and engaged global citizens who can tackle the challenges of a rapidly changing world.”
Empowering Learning Through EdTech
ECS integrates educational technology to support its mission of sustainability and project-based learning. The tools are carefully selected to enhance curricula, extend learning beyond the classroom, and engage students with the world around them.
“Our EdTech choices focus on helping students explore real-world problems,” Cribbs explains. “For instance, students use technology to model future sustainable cities, follow creative interests in writing and design, and advocate for causes they care about.”
By combining academic rigor with hands-on, experiential learning, ECS ensures that technology is not just an add-on but a central component of fostering environmental literacy and personalized learning.
What Sets ECS Apart
ECS takes a unique approach to education by treating the classroom as one of many learning environments. Students participate in out the door learning like filed trips, nature studies, and college and career programs to extend their understanding of their built, nature, and social environments.
Some standout programs include:
- Edible School Yard: Students grow, harvest, and cook food while practicing sustainable gardening techniques.
- Thinking Lab: A multidisciplinary class combining art, science, and design to foster creative problem-solving.
- BikeECS: Students learn bike maintenance, urban biking, and contribute to Pittsburgh’s cycling culture.
- Frick Park Field Studies: Leveraging the school’s proximity to Frick Park, students conduct fieldwork to study local ecosystems and explore sustainability solutions.
“ECS students learn how their choices ripple through the world around them,” Cribbs shares. “We empower them to be collaborative and empathetic global citizens who can make meaningful change in their communities.”
By weaving environmental literacy, innovative programs, and experiential learning into every aspect of its curriculum, ECS is preparing students to be leaders in sustainability and advocates for a brighter, more resilient future, creating an engaging and customized educational experience for every student.
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