The 2025-26 LOTTERY was held on February 12, 2025, however, we are still accepting applications to fill spots in certain grade levels. If a spot is not currently open, your student will be added to the wait list in their designated grade level.

If there are more applications received by the lottery date than there is space at any given level, students will be selected in the following preference category order:

• Siblings of enrolled students at the school who live in the Pittsburgh Public School District;
• Students who live in the Pittsburgh Public School District;
• Students who live elsewhere in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
• If there are more students in a given preference category than there are slots remaining, a random drawing will be held. Students not selected in the lottery will be randomly placed on a numbered waiting list separated by preference category. Other students may be added to the end of the waiting list (in the appropriate preference category) at any time.

A completed Urban Pathways application, submitted on time to Urban Pathways, is required to participate in the lottery. Each application received will be assigned a designated card with the student’s name on it. Beginning with sixth and proceeding to 11th grade, the cards will be placed in a container/bag and shaken. Each card will be individually drawn by a Board Trustee or a Board Designee. Each name will be read out loud and entered on a written list, kept by a second Board Trustee or Designee, who will record the student’s name and “seat number.” Each name drawn will be assigned a sequential number from one until all of the cards have been drawn for that grade.

In accordance with the Charter School’s Charter, as granted by the Pittsburgh Public School District, and pursuant to PA Charter School Law, preferences will be given as follows:

• All students currently enrolled in the Charter School from the prior school year are exempted from the lottery process.
• Siblings (defined as children having one common parent) of students enrolled at the Charter School from the prior school year are exempted from the lottery provided there is space available for the grade sought. Siblings must be Pittsburgh School District residents to be eligible for this preference. A sibling lottery will be held if there are more siblings than seats available in any grade.
• Students who live in the Pittsburgh Public School District.
• Students who live elsewhere in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Non-resident students’ per-pupil allotment must be paid by the district in which the non-resident student lives.

Our current dress code can be found on the dress code page.

Because of our location in downtown Pittsburgh, Urban Pathways students have access to public transportation and are provided with a free Port Authority bus pass if they live in the Pittsburgh Public School District. Students are responsible for adhering to bus schedules to make sure that they arrive at school on time. Safety groups are available to make sure that our students safely arrive to and leave from school.

Yes, we offer the following advanced placement classes:

• English: Literature & Composition
• English: Language & Composition
• Human Geography
• United States History

Yes, Urban Pathways students can participate in the following sports: cheerleading, MS Girls basketball, MS boys basketball, and Varsity /JV basketball.