About Us

The Environmental Charter School District (ECS) is nestled in Pittsburgh’s east end community and is a tuition-free, public K–12 charter school. ECS combines academic rigor with an innovative multi-disciplinary, “out-the-door” learning approach based on eco-literacy and rooted in real-world problems that build active, engaged, and empathetic citizens. Naturally, ECS has a strong connection to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and is committed to being a responsible, sustainable, and anti-racist organization.

Black and White Photo of a School with a black text box with white text that says "4 campuses"

4 Campuses

Photo of students in a field gardening with text that says "students from 42 zip codes"

Students from 42 Zip Codes

Photo of a teacher smiling and talking to a student with text that says "230 Extraordinary and dedicated staff"

230 Extraordinary & Dedicated Staff

Photo of kids on bikes in a park with text that reads "150 minutes of recess a week"

150 Minutes of Recess a Week

Photo of a teacher and several kids on a park path with text saying "2100 outdoor experiences"

2100 Outdoor Experiences

Two students and a teacher at a desk with text that says "43 partner organizations"

43 Partner Organizations

“As the world changes and becomes increasingly more complex, global citizens will need to be equipped with skills that allow them to be flexible thinkers, creative problem solvers, and effective leaders.”

-ECS Founding Principal, Jon McCann

Smiling headshot of founding principal Jon McCann

Our Mission

The mission of ECS is to educate each student to high academic standards using innovative curricula that will foster knowledge, love of, and respect for the environment and preserve it for future generations. We grow citizens.

Our Vision

Every ECS graduate will be an actively engaged citizen driving thoughtful change in the world around them.

Our Story

The Environmental Charter School (ECS) began as a group of inspired parents and community leaders and bloomed into its current state. Today, ECS has more than 1000 students, employs 200 staff members across four buildings, and functions as a K–12 school district.

ECS History Gallery
Environmental Charter School Pittsburg

A small group of inspired parents & community leaders planted the seeds of the Environmental Charter School in 2007 in Pitsburgh, Pa.

Charter application was approved. 

Charter application was approved. 

In Fall 2008, ECS doors opened to the first cohort of students in grades K-3, at the former Milton School in Regent Square.

In Fall 2008, ECS doors opened to the first cohort of students in grades K-3, at the former Milton School in Regent Square.

ECS expanded its campus to former Park Place School & transitioned students in K-3 to this location in 2012. ECS continued to "grow" each year. ECS achieved full enrollment of K-8, serving 640 students annually in 2013.

ECS expanded its campus to former Park Place School & transitioned students in K-3 to this location in 2012. ECS continued to "grow" each year. ECS achieved full enrollment of K-8, serving 640 students annually in 2013.

ECS achieved full enrollment of K-8, serving 640 students annually in 2013.

ECS achieved full enrollment of K-8, serving 640 students annually in 2013.

ECS received approval from the  Pennsylvania Department of Education Charter Appeals Board to add a high school. 

ECS received approval from the  Pennsylvania Department of Education Charter Appeals Board to add a high school. 

In Fall 2019, ECS expanded to its third location, the former Rogers school, located in the neighborhood of Garfield. 

In Fall 2019, ECS expanded to its third location, the former Rogers school, located in the neighborhood of Garfield. 

The 9th-grade Academy opened in the Rogers middle school. ECS will ultimately serve students from kindergarten through graduation, K-12 by growing a grade a year.

The 9th-grade Academy opened in the Rogers middle school. ECS will ultimately serve students from kindergarten through graduation, K-12 by growing a grade a year.

ECS expanded to a fourth campus and opened its 10th grade in Fall 2021 at a temporary location while its permanent high school building is developed.

ECS expanded to a fourth campus and opened its 10th grade in Fall 2021 at a temporary location while its permanent high school building is developed.

ECS proudly graduated its first class of citizens on June 7, 2024.

ECS proudly graduated its first class of citizens on June 7, 2024.


Our Commitments

ECS faculty and staff are committed to growing an active, engaged, and thoughtful citizenry by providing multi-disciplinary content that supports social growth, critical thinking, and analysis that cross-cuts subjects and focuses on real-world problems through:

  • ECS combines academic rigor with a multi-disciplinary, “out-the-door” learning approach rooted in real world problems. Students get outside, study places and spaces in the City of Pittsburgh, and connect content to the community.

  • ECS supports an inclusion model, in a way that promotes equity for all. ECS welcomes and accommodates students who need special education or gifted services, and tailors instruction to meet individual needs. There are two teachers in most classrooms (averaging 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio), allowing students to get targeted support and enrichment.

  • ECS serves the whole child -- keeping them healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. ECS teachers and staff are caring, engaged, and innovative, and they model the behavior we expect from our students. They are activists, leaders, and compassionate members of our community. Students “loop” with our teachers to build connection and consistency.

ECS Values Partnerships

ECS builds partnerships to grow our education impact internally, while also supporting the diverse fabric of organizations available in the city. Community connections and regional networks extend our educational opportunities for students and encourage our student body to recognize the vibrancy of our city. A list of many of our partners is below.