Pace School

Pace School is a private, nonprofit day school headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that transforms the lives of children with severe emotional disorders and autism spectrum disorder. Founded in 1967, the school partners with families, school districts, and behavioral health providers to develop individualized education programs tailored to each student's needs.

The school serves students in grades 1-12 and currently enrolls approximately 115 students. Pace School specializes in working with struggling learners, children with autism, and students with emotional and behavioral disorders. The organization integrates applied behavior analysis and verbal behavior strategies into classroom instruction, alongside a licensed Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) that provides intensive mental health and psychiatric support for students who require it.

Pace School holds significant credentials in Pennsylvania's special education landscape. It is one of only 33 Approved Private Schools (APS) licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and approved by the Secretary of Education to provide free appropriate special education programs for students with severe disabilities. This status reflects the school's commitment to evidence-based practices and regulatory compliance.

The organization employs 51-200 staff members and operates under the leadership of CEO Dr. Amira McLemore Wolfson. Pace School's mission is to provide educational and therapeutic services that enable any child to thrive, addressing the complex needs of the region's most challenged students.