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MSI MEDIA CONTACT: Riva Richmond
Director of Content and Development
rrichmond@microsociety.org
(917) 670-4299
PHCSE MEDIA CONTACT: Kenneth A. Kilpatrick
Sylvia Marketing & Public Relations
ken@sylviamarketing.com
(215) 817-3095
Philadelphia, PA – MicroSociety Inc. (MSI) is excited to announce that it has been awarded a generous grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation to expand its innovative educational model to two new schools in the Pittsburgh area. This grant will support the implementation of the MicroSociety model, including its new digital platform, at Founders’ Hall Middle School in McKeesport and Urban Pathways K-5 College Charter School in downtown Pittsburgh.
The Richard King Mellon Foundation’s $377,000 grant will fund an 18-month project to bring the dynamic MicroSociety educational experience to the two schools serving predominantly low-income, minority student populations. The project will build on MSI’s proven track record of using student-run societies to boost academic achievement, social-emotional learning, critical and creative thinking, and career and citizenship readiness. The grant is the third made by the Foundation to MSI to enhance and now expand MicroSociety’s impact in Pittsburgh.
MSI creates real-world environments within schools across the U.S. and internationally, allowing students to run their own businesses, governments, and community organizations, both in-person and online. This hands-on approach makes learning relevant and engaging, equipping students with the skills they need for future success. MicroSociety has been particularly impactful in economically disadvantaged communities, where it helps bridge the achievement gap and open new pathways to economic mobility.
“MicroSociety empowers students by giving them real-world responsibilities and opportunities to succeed,” said Carolynn King Richmond, President and CEO of MSI. “This expansion will bring our high-impact model to more students in Pittsburgh, helping them develop the technology, academic, social-emotional, and career-readiness skills they need to thrive in the 21st-century workplace.”
The grant will facilitate professional development for teachers and administrators at Founders’ Hall and Urban Pathways K-5, including on-site and virtual training sessions. Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship (PHCSE), which has implemented MicroSociety since its founding in 2011, will serve as a demonstration and training hub for the new schools, sharing best practices and supporting the implementation of MicroSociety‘s innovative model. This collaborative approach ensures that the expansion is sustainable and impactful, creating a network of MicroSociety schools dedicated to improving student outcomes.
All three schools will benefit from partnerships with local universities including Carnegie Mellon University, West Liberty University, and the University of Pittsburgh, which will provide students with unique learning opportunities in data visualization, entrepreneurship, career readiness, and more.
“Having benefited immensely from the MicroSociety program ourselves, we are thrilled to collaborate with MicroSociety Inc. on this transformative project,” said Dr. Wayne Jones, CEO of PHCSE. “Together, we will create vibrant, engaging learning environments that benefit and lift up thousands of youth in the Pittsburgh area.”
The project aims to enhance student engagement, improve academic performance, and foster a sense of belonging and community. By the end of the 18-month period, MSI expects to see significant improvements in student attendance, academic achievement, and overall school success at Founders’ Hall and Urban Pathways K-5.
“I’m excited to announce the implementation of MicroSociety for Urban Pathways K-5 College Charter School next year,” said Brandon D. Coney, CEO of Urban Pathways K-5. “This dynamic model will help transform our students into critical thinkers, foster creativity, teach them financial literacy, and enhance their ability to communicate and collaborate. I can’t wait to see the results amongst our students, staff, and school.”
“We are grateful for this opportunity and generous gift,” said Dale McCall, Principal of Founders’ Hall. “We look forward to working with MicroSociety Inc. throughout this process.”
For more information about the MicroSociety model and the upcoming expansion, please visit www.microsociety.org or contact Riva Richmond at rrichmond@microsociety.org.
About MicroSociety Inc.
MicroSociety Inc. (MSI), a nonprofit founded in Philadelphia in 1991, supports schools in launching and implementing the MicroSociety model with professional services and curriculum. Our staff and consultants help roughly 100 partner schools in the U.S. and internationally enhance academic lessons, motivate students to learn, and instill valuable career, leadership, entrepreneurship, and citizenship skills by standing up student-run miniature societies. Together, we expand horizons, unlock potential, and ensure every child finds their place in the world and shines. Learn more at www.microsociety.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About the Richard King Mellon Foundation
Founded in 1947, the Richard King Mellon Foundation is the largest foundation in Southwestern Pennsylvania, and one of the 50 largest in the world. The Foundation’s 2023 year-end net assets were $2.9 billion, and its Trustees in 2023 disbursed more than $176 million in grants and program-related investments. The Foundation focuses its funding on six primary program areas, delineated in its 2021-2030 Strategic Plan.
About Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship
The Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship (PHCSE) is the only K-8 public school in Pennsylvania with a core focus in entrepreneurship education. PHCSE provides a hands-on, engaging program designed to bring entrepreneurial and economic concepts alive for students. Entrepreneurship concepts are integrated into core lessons related to English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. Visit: www.phcharter.org.