Education

Washington County’s education landscape is more than the 14 public K-12 school districts that call it home, comprising a robust network of public libraries, higher education, trade schools, and a myriad of other organizations providing educational content or services.

Impact

• The Literacy Council of SWPA serves over 800 students from over 70 countries through their adult tutoring programs, which include English as a Second Language, US citizenship preparation, and GED test preparation.
• Through their Learning Neighborhood program aimed at supporting children’s educational growth at home, WQED has served 800 families, 3,000 children, and 200 educators in Washington County.
• Located in the heart of Washington, LeMoyne Community Center engages over 800 disadvantaged, at-risk youth in its free after-school, summer camp, and Pre-K programs.

Challenges

Given Washington County’s many rural areas and population concentration around Washington, Canonsburg, and Peters Township, the disparity between districts is a chief concern, with the smaller rural districts often forced to limit their offerings due to finances, staffing, and low enrollment. When certain districts require more specialized programming such as English as a Second Language courses due to their population, this can be especially challenging and detrimental to students’ learning experience.

Student mental health and support for neurodivergent students are concerns for all districts, however, with some taking steps towards greater wellness and inclusivity. Trinity Area School District is seeking funding to introduce a UPMC program aimed at promoting health and wellness for girls of all ages, and recently began holding Silent Disco Parties for students with sensory sensitivities to enjoy music and engage with their classmates as well as students from neighboring schools.