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Rooted in Pittsburgh · Growing Since 2008
We Grow
Citizens.
A tuition-free, public K-12 school district where children learn with, from, and for the living world around them.
1,000+students growing here
Our mission
Knowledge, love, and respect for the environment.
The mission of the Environmental Charter School 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.
Our vision: ECS envisions every one of its graduates being an actively engaged citizen driving thoughtful change in the world around them.
Learning that grows roots
Three Worlds, One System
At ECS, we understand the environment as three intersecting worlds. Students learn to see the connections between them, the foundation of systems thinking and ecoliteracy.
The wild & growing
The Natural World
Forests, rivers, soil, and living things. Students study the ecosystems that sustain us and learn to protect and preserve them.
What we make
The Built World
Cities, buildings, energy, and design. Students explore how human systems are shaped, and how they can be built more sustainably.
How we live together
The Social World
Community, justice, and citizenship. Students learn how people connect, care for one another, and drive thoughtful change together.
ECS by the numbers
1,000+Students growing
250Staff & educators
4Schools, one district
K-12Every grade, every year
Tuition-free · Public · K-12
Grow with us.
Enrollment at ECS is open to families across the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. Come see how your child can learn in and from the world around them.
Environmental Charter School News
![ECS and ECS Federation of Teachers Sign 5-year Collective Bargaining Agreement]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1787835971/ecspghorg/fxafuhnqiyyh3taljoft/Screenshot2026-08-27at90548AM.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1787835971/ecspghorg/fxafuhnqiyyh3taljoft/Screenshot2026-08-27at90548AM.png","width":404}])
Last week, ECS and the ECS Federation of Teachers signed a new collective bargaining agreement that is in effect August 1, 2026 to July 31, 2031. We'd like to thank everyone who was part of the negotiations to get this agreement finalized.
The Environmental Charter School works collaboratively with two unions, both of which are part of the Alliance of Charter School Employees: ECS Federation of Teachers Local 6056, AFT, AFL-CIO, and ECS Federation of Paraeducators Local 6056, AFT, AFL-CIO.
ECS and the ECS Federation of Paraeducators are currently negotiating their first collective bargaining agreement.
![ECS Middle and High School to Relocate to 743 Technology Drive]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1787835230/ecspghorg/lhcfaowgecrstz4ln1jp/Screenshot2026-08-27at85205AM.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1787835230/ecspghorg/lhcfaowgecrstz4ln1jp/Screenshot2026-08-27at85205AM.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1787835230/ecspghorg/lhcfaowgecrstz4ln1jp/Screenshot2026-08-27at85205AM.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1787835230/ecspghorg/lhcfaowgecrstz4ln1jp/Screenshot2026-08-27at85205AM.png","width":805}])
On Thursday, July 16, the ECS administration officially recommended the relocation of its Middle and High School programs to a new facility located at 743 Technology Drive (currently the Elmhurst Innovation Center) along the Monongahela River to the Board of Trustees. Transition to the new campus is anticipated to occur in advance of the 2027-2028 School Year.
Please visit our ECS Along the River web page for more information.
![The Class of 2026: Celebrating ECS High School’s Newest Graduates and Future Leaders]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1781276612/ecspghorg/wvjgv6o7ioce7wksoest/ECHSClassof2026-SneakPeek-TheCircuitCenter-6-11-26-CoreyLankford-82.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1781276612/ecspghorg/wvjgv6o7ioce7wksoest/ECHSClassof2026-SneakPeek-TheCircuitCenter-6-11-26-CoreyLankford-82.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1781276612/ecspghorg/wvjgv6o7ioce7wksoest/ECHSClassof2026-SneakPeek-TheCircuitCenter-6-11-26-CoreyLankford-82.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1781276612/ecspghorg/wvjgv6o7ioce7wksoest/ECHSClassof2026-SneakPeek-TheCircuitCenter-6-11-26-CoreyLankford-82.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1781276612/ecspghorg/wvjgv6o7ioce7wksoest/ECHSClassof2026-SneakPeek-TheCircuitCenter-6-11-26-CoreyLankford-82.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1781276612/ecspghorg/wvjgv6o7ioce7wksoest/ECHSClassof2026-SneakPeek-TheCircuitCenter-6-11-26-CoreyLankford-82.jpg","width":2048}])
![AIU Science Leadership Visits ECS]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1774457061/ecspghorg/ixcjhy9n3px8ub4doghg/IMG_8227.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1774457061/ecspghorg/ixcjhy9n3px8ub4doghg/IMG_8227.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1774457061/ecspghorg/ixcjhy9n3px8ub4doghg/IMG_8227.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1774457061/ecspghorg/ixcjhy9n3px8ub4doghg/IMG_8227.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1774457061/ecspghorg/ixcjhy9n3px8ub4doghg/IMG_8227.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1774457061/ecspghorg/ixcjhy9n3px8ub4doghg/IMG_8227.jpg","width":2200}])
On March 12, nearly 30 science educators from around the region visited ECS to learn more about our School's science curriculum and to see first hand how our environmental mission is threaded throughout our programming. The first 'field trip' of its kind for this AIU Coalition, educators observed ECS' science classes across the district - at the Primary, Intermediate and Middle Schools - visiting our Thinking Labs, Discovery, and Environmental Literacy. The group observed, reflected and shared their observations and ideas with our administration and staff.
![ECS Awarded Park Tool Community Grant]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1773855497/ecspghorg/xlx2f5prpxu10iphk9fj/Screenshot2026-03-18at13615PM.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1773855497/ecspghorg/xlx2f5prpxu10iphk9fj/Screenshot2026-03-18at13615PM.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1773855497/ecspghorg/xlx2f5prpxu10iphk9fj/Screenshot2026-03-18at13615PM.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1773855497/ecspghorg/xlx2f5prpxu10iphk9fj/Screenshot2026-03-18at13615PM.png","width":1054}])
We’re excited to share that ECS is one of 10 recipients of the Park Tool Community Grant! Out of more than 450 programs around the world that applied, ECS was selected to receive repair stands, professional tools, and education materials to expand our bike maintenance education.
![A smiling young woman with long brown hair and glasses stands in front of a brick wall.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1770840710/ecspghorg/kengf2ojvtnvijiqpdjx/km21.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1770840710/ecspghorg/kengf2ojvtnvijiqpdjx/km21.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1770840710/ecspghorg/kengf2ojvtnvijiqpdjx/km21.jpg","width":705}])
The Environmental Charter School (ECS) announced that Kristen Maser has been appointed director of communications for the organization. She will formally assume the role on February 11 and will be working with the interim director of communications to ensure a seamless transition.
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