When does school start in Beaver Valley? Here is the first day info for local schools

Garret Roberts, Beaver County Times
·7 min read

While the warm weather may inspire a last-minute beach trip, the final days of summer are beginning to tick away as students prepare to return to class in two weeks.

As schools get ready to open their doors, there are some new and exciting things happening in districts throughout the Beaver Valley. In this school start guide, families can find out when their school district will begin to welcome students and some of the notable changes occurring around the school grounds. From new leaders to changes in busing, several districts have seen some significant changes throughout the summer.

Parents should double-check start dates on this list, as some schools will wait until after Labor Day to begin classes and some schools have also modified their start dates for construction, with students in the Freedom Area School District recently receiving word that the first day of classes has been pushed into September. Some districts are also offering a later start for higher grade levels, which will occur in several of the area's high schools.

In addition to school-specific changes listed below, the recent passing of the Pennsylvania state budget has green-lit free school breakfasts for all public school students regardless of income. Shapiro previewed the $38.5 million meal program earlier this year, where he stressed the importance of providing these meals for children after the existing COVID-19 pandemic programs were halted.

The Aliquippa High School building at 100 Harding Avenue in Aliquippa.
The Aliquippa High School building at 100 Harding Avenue in Aliquippa.

Aliquippa School District

First Day of School: Thursday, Aug. 24

What's new in the district?

  • In June, Aliquippa worked with The Efficiency Network to complete several projects that helped create energy-efficient upgrades to buildings in the district. Changes include new LED-based lighting, energy-efficient windows, masonry repairs and refurbishment of the HVAC systems. Officials said these changes can save the district around $24,000 in energy costs annually and will reduce the district's carbon footprint by 116 metric tons.

  • On Aug. 8, The Kraft Heinz Co. made a $1.3 million donation to the district to bring new academic and athletic resources to the district. The company said it will bring the name of Heinz Field back to the Pittsburgh region at Aliquippa's football field, known locally as "The Pit."

Ambridge Area High School, located at 901 Duss Ave.
Ambridge Area High School, located at 901 Duss Ave.

Ambridge Area School District

First Day of School: Wednesday, Aug. 23

What's new in the district?

  • As students in Ambridge Area School District begin classes, the inaugural class of the Provident West Charter School will also fill the halls previously occupied by Quigley Catholic High School. The charter school will utilize an alternative teaching style that helps children with reading challenges learn at their own pace. In addition to the Baden location, the charter has a school in Pittsburgh's Troy Hill neighborhood.

  • Busing for Ambridge schools will now be managed by ABC Transit Inc., a locally owned business operating out of Allegheny and Butler counties. According to a press release on the change, this will be the first district in Beaver County to utilize ABC Transit's services.

  • Ambridge is in the process of transitioning to a new Student Information System known as Infinite Campus. Parents and students should receive details on the program in the near future.

The exterior of Beaver Middle School.
The exterior of Beaver Middle School.

Beaver Area School District

First Day of School: Thursday, Aug. 24

What's new in the district?

  • The district has welcomed Chris Ortmann as the principal of College Square Elementary.

The exterior of Beaver County Christian School, located in Beaver Falls.
The exterior of Beaver County Christian School, located in Beaver Falls.

Beaver County Christian School

First Day of School: Tuesday, Aug. 29

The front exterior of Beaver Falls Senior High School.
The front exterior of Beaver Falls Senior High School.

Big Beaver Falls Area School District

First Day of School: Wednesday, Aug. 30

The exterior of Blackhawk High School, which serves several Beaver County communities.
The exterior of Blackhawk High School, which serves several Beaver County communities.

Blackhawk School District

First Day of School: Thursday, Aug. 24

What's new in the district?

  • On July 20, members of the Blackhawk School Board voted to fire Robert Postupac, who previously served as the school's superintendent. The decision came after a state ethics board said they had investigated the administrator and found evidence that Postupac had worked with a member of the Moon Area School Board to exchange jobs in the district for their children. As the district searches for a new superintendent, the role will be held by long-time Pennsylvania school administrator William Pettigrew. Postupac told media last month that he plans to sue the district over the termination, saying that he is innocent and the investigation is being "manipulated" against him.

An exterior sign for Central Valley School District.
An exterior sign for Central Valley School District.

Center Valley School District

First Day of School: Monday, Aug. 28

What's new in the district?

  • According to Central Valley Superintendent Nicholas Perry, renovations at Center Grange Primary School were completed over the summer and the addition has been completed.

  • Kindergarten classes will shift from a half-day to a full-day class schedule this year.

  • Central Valley has decided to work with ABC Transit and Frye Transportation Group for busing.

A sign for Cornell School District in Coraopolis.
A sign for Cornell School District in Coraopolis.

Cornell School District

First Day of School: Tuesday, Aug. 29

Lincoln High School, located in the heart of Elwood City.
Lincoln High School, located in the heart of Elwood City.

Ellwood City Area School District

First Day of School: Tuesday, Sept. 5

An evening view of Freedom Area Senior High School, located at 1190 Bulldog Dr. in Freedom.
An evening view of Freedom Area Senior High School, located at 1190 Bulldog Dr. in Freedom.

Freedom Area School District

First Day of School: Tuesday, Sept. 5

What's new in the district?

  • Due to the modified start, caused by construction and transportation issues, the Freedom Area School District will follow a modified school schedule this year and the final day of classes has been moved to June 7, 2024. Under the new format, graduation will also take place on June 7.

The exterior of Hopewell Senior High School.
The exterior of Hopewell Senior High School.

Hopewell Area School District

First Day of School: Thursday, Aug. 24

What's new in the district?

  • After a long career at the head of Hopewell High School, principal Mike Allison announced via social media that he has retired from his role at the school on July 31. In a letter to the community, Allison thanked the community for their support throughout his career and mentioned "It is always is and always will be a good day to be a Viking." At this time, Hopewell Area School District officials have not commented on who will fill this role.

An aerial view of the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center, which is connected to the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School, in Midland.
An aerial view of the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center, which is connected to the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School, in Midland.

Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School

First Day of School: Wednesday, Aug. 23

The exterior of Midland Elementary School.
The exterior of Midland Elementary School.

Midland Borough School District

First Day of School: Wednesday, Aug. 30

This is the exterior of the new Midland Innovation and Technology Charter School, located on South 12th Street in Midland.
This is the exterior of the new Midland Innovation and Technology Charter School, located on South 12th Street in Midland.

Midland Innovation + Technology Charter School

First Day of School: Wednesday, Aug. 23

What's new at the school?

  • This year, the school will welcome Elyse Wolff as the charter's new Social Emotional Coach. In her role, Wolff will offer counseling and assist in constructing lessons that help students explore self-discipline, regulating emotions and consequences for behaviors.

The exterior of Moon Middle School.
The exterior of Moon Middle School.

Moon Area School District

First Day of School: Wednesday, Aug. 23

What's new in the district?

  • In June, the district welcomed Willian McGahee as the new principal at Brooks Elementary School. Before coming to Moon, McGahee had served a variety of roles in schools around the greater Pittsburgh area. In addition to a bachelor of arts from Mercyhurst College and a master's degree from Slippery Rock University, McGahee's experience includes a doctorate in leadership and administration from Point Park University.

A sign for the New Brighton School District.
A sign for the New Brighton School District.

New Brighton Area School District

First Day of School: Thursday, Aug. 24

The exterior of Our Lady of Sacred Heart High School.
The exterior of Our Lady of Sacred Heart High School.

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic High School

First Day of School: Monday, Aug. 21 for grades 10 to 12, Tuesday for ninth-graders and all students are to report on Wednesday, Aug. 23

What's new at the school?

  • During the summer, Our Lady of Sacred Heart obtained 480 new chairs and desks for students at the high school and created two new enclosed meeting spaces within the building. Additional security features were also added at the school's main entrance.

The exterior of Quaker Valley Senior High School, located in Leetsdale, PA.
The exterior of Quaker Valley Senior High School, located in Leetsdale, PA.

Quaker Valley School District

First Day of School: Students from kindergarten to grade 9 begin on Wednesday, Aug. 23, and students from grades 10 to 12 begin on Thursday, Aug. 24

A sign directing visitors around the Riverside School District campus.
A sign directing visitors around the Riverside School District campus.

Riverside Area School District

First Day of School: Tuesday, Aug. 29

The main entrance to the Rochester Area School District.
The main entrance to the Rochester Area School District.

Rochester Area School District

First Day of School: Wednesday, Aug. 30

The central building at Sewickley Academy, which is located just outside of Beaver County.
The central building at Sewickley Academy, which is located just outside of Beaver County.

Sewickley Academy

First Day of School: Thursday, Aug. 31

What's new at the school?

  • After joining the staff last spring, the head of middle school at Sewickley Academy was officially transferred to Mark Shelley in July. According to the academy, Shelley has a variety of experience in local education and will handle the day-to-day operations of the middle school starting this fall.

The exterior of Blackhawk Middle and High School.
The exterior of Blackhawk Middle and High School.

South Side Area School District

First Day of School: Tuesday, Aug. 29, Night Elementary School will begin on Thursday, Sept. 7 and Night Secondary will begin on Aug. 30

What's new in the district?

  • The new start time at the elementary school will be 8:50 a.m. and dismissal will occur at 3:05 p.m.

  • Several staffing changes have occurred at the district: the role of interim elementary school counselor will temporarily be filled by Alexandria Dovidio; the new high school principal will be Lora Batchelor; and the new campus dean of students will be Luke Travelpeace.

The Exterior of West Allegheny Highschool, located in Imperial, PA.
The Exterior of West Allegheny Highschool, located in Imperial, PA.

West Allegheny School District

First Day of School: Wednesday, Aug. 23

The exterior sign at Western Beaver Junior and Senior High School.
The exterior sign at Western Beaver Junior and Senior High School.

Western Beaver County School District

First Day of School: Wednesday, Aug. 30

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Beaver Valley school district start dates for 2023 school year