Our mission at City Charter High School is very simple.
To graduate students who can find successful, fulfilling careers and who are actively engaged in making the world a better place.
Who Can Apply
City Charter High School is a tuition-free public school and is therefore open to all students regardless of race, ethnic background, gender, religion, and/or ability. As a school of choice, families have an opportunity to make an informed decision regarding the appropriateness of this and other high schools for a particular student.
Only 180 seats are available for each incoming class. Remember, seats are on a first-come, first-served basis and ONLY completed applications can be processed to hold your place in line.
Take a Tour
Upcoming Open House
How to Apply
There are 3 ways to apply to City Charter High School:
- Use our online application
- Download and email a completed application and required documents to Admissions@CityHigh.org
- Print and mail a completed application and required documents to:
To have your child’s application processed AND to receive an application number, you will need the following documents:
- BIRTH CERTIFICATE: If your child’s Birth Certificate is misplaced or lost, you may visit vital records HERE to order a replacement from the STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA. Please CLICK HERE for all other birth states.
- IMMUNIZATION RECORD
- GUARDIANSHIP/CUSTODY DOCUMENTS (If applicable)
Complete applications are processed in the order in which they are received by the Admissions Department.
- SIBLING PREFERENCE: October 1-31
- PITTSBURGH PUBLIC PREFERENCE: November 1-30
- OPEN ADMISSIONS: December 1
Admissions Deadlines
Incoming 9th Grade Admissions begins October 1 of the previous year.
October 1 – All applications for the next year's 9th grade class will be accepted with preference for siblings occurring through October 31st.
November 1 – Preference for City of Pittsburgh residents November 1st through the 30th. All applications will be numbered in the order they are received. A maximum of 180 freshmen will be admitted.
December 1 – If by December 1st, there are more than 180 applications in total, including applications of siblings, then a lottery will occur at 10:00 AM. The number of seats available in the lottery is 180 minus the number of sibling applications. If by December 1 we have received fewer than 180 applications, then no lottery will occur and those students who have applied by this date will be accepted, pending the completion of required documentation and the Orientation for final enrollment.
December 2 – The open application period continues for all students, including siblings, PPS students, and students from other districts. Once 180 students have applied, new applications will be placed on a waiting list in the order in which they are received with Siblings and City of Pittsburgh residents receiving priority.
April – Accepted applicants will receive notification of Orientation dates.
June – Mandatory Orientation for incoming 9th grade students
August – Transfer Orientation for incoming 10th grade students
IF SEATS ARE AVAILABLE, students currently in grade 9 can transfer to City High through the first third of Trimester 1 (September 24, 2022) and during the first third of Trimester 2 (January 3rd-January 27th).
Grade 10 Transfer Applications
Transferring 10th graders must show that they have earned at least 5 credits of a C (70%) or better on their final 9th grade report card to be eligible as a transfer student.
IF SEATS ARE AVAILABLE, new students are admitted into the 10th grade at the beginning of the school year and at the beginning of second trimester.
If after February 1 a student is still on the ninth-grade waiting list, then they will be given the opportunity to move to the 10th grade waiting list for the following school year. New 10th grade applications will be added to the end of this list.
Transfer Requirements
In addition to the application and required documentation, transferring students should also provide a final 9th grade report and any current grades/progress reports. All transferring 10th grade students must meet eligibility guidelines and are reviewed for documentation of a minimum five (5) credits/units with course grades of C or higher.
IF SEATS ARE AVAILABLE, students currently in grade 10 can transfer to City High through the first third of Trimester 1 (end of September) and through the first third of Trimester 2 (end of January).
WE DO NOT ACCEPT STUDENTS INTO CITY HIGH AFTER JANUARY OF THE 10th GRADE YEAR.