PITTSBURGH – May 30, 2023 – Provident Charter School today announces it has been chosen as a recipient of a $1.5 million Pennsylvania Charter Schools Program Grant (PACSP), the first of its kind in the state.

This grant was awarded by the Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools (PCPCS) during National Charter Schools Week in recognition of Provident’s commitment to educational excellence and innovative practices for children living with dyslexia and other reading-based learning challenges. The grant will play a pivotal role in facilitating the launch of Provident Charter School West, set to open its doors in Baden, PA, in the fall of 2023.

According to Maria Paluselli, CEO, Provident Charter School, the PACSP Grant is a highly competitive grant program designed to foster the development and expansion of high-quality charter schools throughout the state. A PACSP Peer Review Team reviewed grant applications and identified Provident Charter School as one of the outstanding institutions deserving of this substantial funding.

“We are honored to be the recipients of the Pennsylvania Charter Schools Program Grant,” said Paluselli. “It will provide invaluable support in our efforts to establish Provident Charter School West and ensure students across the Beaver County area have access to an exceptional educational experience.”

The $1.5 million grant will be instrumental in bolstering the successful launch of Provident Charter School West. The funds will be allocated towards hiring specially trained educators, procuring state-of-the-art educational resources and technology, and establishing comprehensive student support services.

“We extend our deepest thanks to PCPCS for recognizing our vision and commitment to education,” added Paluselli. “With the support of this grant, we can create an innovative and transformative learning environment, which nurtures each student’s academic, social, and emotional growth and prepares students for success.”

The purpose of the PACSP is to enable eligible applicants to open and prepare for the operation of new charter schools and to replicate existing high-quality charter schools. Since 2016, Provident Charter School has operated its flagship location in Pittsburgh’s Troy Hill neighborhood – serving more than 300 students in grades 2^nd through 8^th. Provident Charter School West is the school’s second location.

Provident Charter School has gained widespread recognition for its dedication to academic excellence, personalized instruction, and fostering a strong sense of community. Provident Charter School West will build upon this foundation, offering students in the Beaver County region, among other area communities the same exceptional educational opportunities and the chance to thrive in a supportive and engaging setting.

According to Paluselli, the new location is the second for Provident. Its first location in the Troy Hill section of Pittsburgh, which opened in 2016, serves approximately 330 students grades 2^nd through 8^th every year and was the Commonwealth’s only public school designed for students living with dyslexia or other language-based learning differences until Provident West was approved by the Ambridge Area School District.

Dyslexia is a neurodevelopmental disorder impacting word decoding, spelling tasks and reading fluency. Individuals with dyslexia may also present problems with processing and manipulating sounds, expressing themselves clearly or have difficulties understanding others when they speak.

The school is publicly funded and provided free of charge to families and features small group instruction with specialized lessons provided by educators who are specially trained in multi-sensory teaching. Provident School educators utilize the Wilson Reading System® (WRS), which is based on Orton-Gillingham principles of instruction and accredited by the International Dyslexia Association (IDA).

Provident West will be located at the former home of Quigley High School, 200 Quigley Drive, Baden, PA, and will begin enrolling students in grades 1-4 for the 2023-2024 school year immediately. Students and families interested in applying should contact Julie Ewing: jewing@providentcharterschool.org.