Nestled in the corner of Pittsburgh’s ever-evolving East End, Winchester Thurston—as it has for 125 years—strives to serve as a platform that catapults its students to their individual goals.

The institution, holistically, is comprised of three levels: the lower school (grades Pre-K which also has a second facility in the North Hills), the middle school (6 to 8), and high school (9-12).

LENDING SUPPORT —Winchester sophomore DeVaughn Robinson at a luncheon where donors gathered to support the institution.

Over the past 23 years, the Crossroads Foundation has successfully cycled 395 students through its program. Of these students 98 percent graduated, 97 percent have gone on to post-secondary education, 92 percent have gone to a four year college, 88 percent have graduated from a four year college, and 15 percent have advanced degrees.

“After 23 years doing this, we know the pieces to help students coming from challenging environments, but we keep getting better and better,” said Crossroads Executive Director Florence Rouzier. “We don’t know a better way to get these children out of poverty than education.”

CLASS OF 2011—Each and every student at the 2011 Crossroads Foundation Graduation Dinner has gone on to college.

The Crossroads Foundation provides “holistic scholarships” that consist of tuition assistance and intensive academic and psychosocial support services, to students wishing to attend Catholic high schools. Students admitted to the program have previously attended feeder Catholic elementary schools in urban areas.

“All of the students are at home working on their computers, which we provide,” said Lynn Rodden, senior director of communications at the school’s Pittsburgh-area center. “We are a public school that is open to all students in Pennsylvania and it is tuition free. Most of the kids are on-line and that removes barriers and helps them to become friends. They get to know each other for real and are not afraid.”

by Laurence Glasco

Doris Brevard, as principal of Vann Elementary School in the Hill District from 1969 to 1995, eliminated the racial achievement gap, winning statewide and even national recognition.

Some of those who still recall her success might be interested to know of schools today which are succeeding in doing the same.

STUDENT AT WORK IN PROPEL

One of these is Propel Charter Schools, which soon will open in the city of Pittsburgh. Last spring, Propel Director of Marketing Derric Heck invited me to visit the Propel Charter School in McKeesport which, he said, was matching Brevard’s achievements of years ago, and with similar kinds of students.