103 Catalpa Ridge Rd
Pittsburgh, PA 15238

I love my school it's a great learning environment With a strong bit not harsh rules. Very good Teachers I love mine and I would never go anywhere else

The main problem I have is the people that attend the school are very, very cliquey. It’s so bad to the point where you are in a clique, or you’re not. They range from the 80-person boy clique spanning multiple grades to the small, intermediate 4–6-person girls’ clique. Most of the time, people do not even acknowledge other people outside of their clique. This makes making new friends INCREDIBLY difficult. This also leads to a lot of loneliness in the school because if you are in a small clique, you probably don’t have any friends in any classes. When teachers say to pair up, they almost always either have to assign groups or let students work alone.Another thing is the majority of students are coming from the district middle school, Dorseyville (DMS). DMS did not prepare students enough for the transition. The first week of FCAHS was incredibly stressful because of DMS. The literal first day, I had more homework assigned to me—which was due the next day—than my entire 8th grade at DMS. I am not kidding. This caused an unbelievable amount of stress and anxiety. This work could not be done at school or in class; it had to be done at home. Going from DMS, where I had a friend in every class, to not a single one in any of them was a major transition. The lunch periods, where the majority of your grade is split into different lunches, were way too sudden and severe. I went from being a straight-A student, never studying before in my life, to now, on the first day, being told to study nightly!?! A straight-A student had never been required, or even really recommended, to take any notes at DMS, and now I had to in order to just pass. The course difficulty almost quadruples, and it is just too severe.This right here is most likely the most important part of the review: course options available. The number of electives they have is absolutely insane and incredible. Ranging from dedicated business classes to dedicated video production classes, every interest is met. There are over 70 electives to choose from, offering the perfect opportunities for students.Final thoughts: Fox Chapel is an award-winning, nationally recognized high school that is considered one of the top in the state. However, it is deceiving and is very stressful with the academic pressure and the lack of preparation. If you only care about providing your child with the best education, I would strongly consider Fox Chapel.

O’Hara Elementary has been an incredible place for our kindergartener and second grader, and we’re thrilled with everything the school offers. From the very first day, we felt the strong sense of community and the warmth from both the staff and families. The teachers are not only dedicated to their students but also incredibly approachable and communicative, always making time to ensure parents feel informed and involved.One thing that stands out is how much the school values each child’s individual needs. Our kids come home excited and eager to share their day, which speaks volumes about the positive atmosphere inside the classrooms. There’s a genuine focus on fostering a love for learning while also creating a nurturing environment where every student feels supported.Another aspect we’ve loved is the variety of opportunities for family involvement. Whether it’s volunteering for events, participating in school activities, or simply having open communication with teachers, it feels like we’re a part of something bigger. We know from the best schools that family engagement is a key factor in student success, and O’Hara really excels in this area.For anyone considering a move to the area, O’Hara Elementary is a school that truly prioritizes the well-being and growth of its students. The combination of a supportive community, engaged families, and a warm, welcoming environment makes it a fantastic place for children to thrive. We couldn’t be happier with our experience here and would highly recommend it to any family looking for a great school in the area.