Photo by Alyse Horn

In a hallway filled with faculty, students, parents and family members, Provident Charter School held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, August 3 to commemorate the beginning of the schools first year.

The charter school is the first school in the city “dedicated to serving the needs of students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences,” according to a previous press release.

Mayor Bill Peduto and Councilwoman Darlene Harris attended the event to show their support for the revitalization of the school. Provident was home to North Catholic High School from 1939-2014, until the school moved to a new location in Cranberry. Since it closed, the building had been empty.

“It could have easily been turned into condominiums or torn down and built into something else, but what a great testament that it will remain a place of education in this amazing neighborhood,” Mayor Peduto said.

Tony Benvin of Troy Hill Citizens, and a 1968 North Catholic alumnus, also spoke before the ribbon cutting and welcomed Provident to the neighborhood on behalf of the THC board of directors, members, and the entire community.

“Not only does this continue the purpose for what the building was built, but with its curriculum focused on dyslexic students, Provident Charter School addresses a long and underserved segment of students in our Pittsburgh communities,” Benvin said.

School Principal and CEO Brett T. Marcoux thanked many for their initiatives to get the school running, but drew attention toward School Board President Curtis Kossman saying he is the “one heart beat that keeps this moving.”

Kossman said it is his sincere hope that the faculty and staff are able to help the students “explore all that education can provide them” and guide them in discovering “their passions to become successful.”

“Our kids are our future of Pittsburgh,” Kossman said. “You know, I think that says it all.”

For more information of Provident Charter School, click here.