In McKeesport, Pennsylvania—a city once shaped by steel and now reshaped by resilience—there stands a school quietly redefining what learning can look like for a new generation. Tucked into this working-class community is Young Scholars of Greater Allegheny Charter School, or YSGA as the locals know it. It’s not the kind of place that chases headlines, but ask anyone nearby and they’ll tell you the same thing: something special is happening inside those walls.
Founded in 2015, YSGA didn’t arrive with grand fanfare. It opened its doors with a simple yet bold purpose—to serve students who often don’t see themselves reflected in traditional classrooms. The founders weren’t chasing trends. They were responding to something urgent: a need for education that recognized every child’s background as a strength, not a barrier.
YSGA’s mission lives in the day-to-day—a nurturing environment where academic excellence, cultural identity, and curiosity walk side by side. Its vision reaches even further: to prepare scholars not just to pass tests, but to thrive in a global society. That means more than textbooks. It means bilingual fluency, real-world STEAM skills, and a sense of self that’s deeply rooted.
Over the years, the school has grown steadily, both in numbers and in direction. From a small neighborhood charter to a forward-thinking academic hub, YSGA continues to evolve—always with students at the center. Its approach blends rigor with heart, and equity with action. In classrooms filled with possibility, a quiet revolution in education is unfolding—one scholar at a time.
Learning That Grows with the Child
Walk into any classroom at YSGA, and you’ll find something more than desks and whiteboards. There’s motion. There’s sound. There’s thinking that stretches beyond the four walls. From kindergarten through eighth grade, learning here is built to grow with the scholar—layer by layer, year by year.
In the earliest grades, the focus is clear: build strong roots. Literacy and numeracy come first, paired closely with social-emotional learning. Teachers guide their youngest scholars not only to read and count but to listen, express, and understand. It’s not just about what they’re learning—it’s how they’re learning to be in the world.
As scholars move into grades 3 through 5, the learning begins to open up. They dive into projects that ask them to think, question, and create. Arts instruction is not tucked away as an afterthought—it’s integrated right into the school day. Whether it’s a science experiment or a group presentation on local history, students are encouraged to make connections between subjects and the world around them.
By the time they reach middle school, students at YSGA are ready for more depth. Grades 6 through 8 bring a sharper academic edge. They engage in lab-based science, dive into novel studies, and begin to examine civic life in a hands-on way. Project-based learning remains a constant, but now it carries more weight—more room for independence, and more demand for critical thinking.
While the core subjects build the academic foundation, YSGA’s “specials” fill out the rest of the picture. Every scholar participates in music, art, STEAM lab, and physical education. These aren’t side activities. They’re essential threads in the fabric of the school’s approach. Together, they help shape young people who are not only ready for high school but equipped to keep growing wherever life takes them next.
A Message from the CEO
Leadership at YSGA isn’t just about policies and planning—it’s personal. CEO Mr. Cengiz leads with both vision and heart, grounded in the belief that every scholar deserves more than just an education. They deserve to be seen, heard, and challenged to grow.
“Our goal is to ensure every scholar at YSGA feels empowered, supported, and inspired to succeed—not just in school, but in life,” says Mr. Cengiz. “We believe in nurturing scholars who are confident in their identity, skilled in their thinking, and compassionate in their actions.”
This isn’t just talk. It’s felt in the hallways, classrooms, and family events that shape the school’s rhythm. With every new day, the message stays the same: here, every child matters—and every voice belongs.
Bilingual Roots, Global Reach
At YSGA, language is more than a subject—it’s a bridge. Starting in kindergarten, every scholar begins learning Spanish and Turkish, a choice that reflects both purpose and pride. Spanish opens doors across the country and the world, while Turkish honors a piece of the school community’s cultural identity.
This dual-language model isn’t just about speaking in another tongue. It sharpens thinking, deepens empathy, and strengthens communication. Whether a child is reciting vocabulary or exploring global traditions, they’re gaining tools that reach far beyond the classroom. In every grade, language becomes a way to connect—across cultures, across ideas, and eventually, across borders.
Where Curiosity Meets Creation
At YSGA, STEAM is a daily experience. Scholars don’t just read about science or technology; they build, test, and tinker their way through it. Whether they’re designing robotic arms, simulating ecosystems, or coding their own programs, the learning is hands-on and driven by curiosity.
Inside the school’s Innovation Lab, the tools match the ambition. 3D printers, robotics kits, and coding platforms are part of the regular routine. Guided by the 5E model—engage, explore, explain, elaborate, evaluate—students take on real-world challenges that stretch their thinking and deepen their skills.
The result? Scholars don’t just understand STEAM concepts—they own them. And with each project, they’re building the kind of confidence that carries far beyond the classroom.
Meeting Every Scholar Where They Are
YSGA is home to a vibrant mix of cultures, languages, and learning styles—and the school embraces that diversity as one of its greatest strengths. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, instruction here is built to fit the learner. Classrooms use flexible grouping, differentiated lessons, and culturally relevant materials that reflect the lived experiences of their scholars.
Teachers receive ongoing training in trauma-informed care and restorative practices, equipping them to support not just academic growth, but emotional well-being. Multilingual learners have access to strong English Language Development programs, while scholars with special needs are supported through IEPs and inclusive classrooms that value participation over separation.
And learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Regular family engagement events invite parents and caregivers into the fold, creating a shared sense of ownership. At YSGA, support is not just a service—it’s a relationship.
Learning Beyond the Bell
School at YSGA doesn’t end on Friday afternoon. With its Saturday Academy, the school opens its doors on weekends—not out of obligation, but opportunity. What began as a way to support scholars who needed a little extra academic help has grown into something much bigger.
Now, Saturday mornings are filled with reading interventions, math games, science experiments, and hands-on art workshops. It’s a blend of structure and creativity that keeps kids engaged while giving them room to explore. Participation is voluntary, but the numbers keep rising—a clear sign that scholars and families see the value.
More than just an extra class, Saturday Academy strengthens the bond between school, family, and community. It turns weekends into another chance to grow, connect, and belong.
After School, the Learning Continues
When the final bell rings at YSGA, the day is far from over. Through its extended day program, Foundations, the school keeps the doors open for discovery, creativity, and connection. Designed with intention, the program offers something for every kind of learner—whether they’re drawn to music, movement, food, or strategy.
Clubs like Culinary, Chess and Puzzles, and Gardening sit alongside the African Drumming Ensemble, Concert Band, and Sports Clinics. These aren’t just activities—they’re experiences that build skills, spark passions, and open new doors. Cultural celebrations and international festivals add to the mix, giving scholars a chance to see themselves—and each other—in new ways.
Foundation also plays a vital role for working families, offering a safe, engaging space after school hours. It’s a program rooted in enrichment, but just as much in care.
Leading with Purpose and Collaboration
Behind the scenes at YSGA is a leadership team that runs on both structure and shared vision. With roles that include a Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Lower School Principal, Assistant Principal of Academics, Special Education Coordinator, and Director of Student Services, each leader brings a clear focus—but no one works in isolation.
These departments operate as one, aligning classroom instruction with scholar support, and ensuring the school meets all state and federal expectations. Instructional coaches and data specialists round out the team, partnering directly with teachers to fine-tune lessons and tailor learning to individual needs.
It’s a model built on coordination, not hierarchy—where every role supports the same mission: helping every scholar thrive.
Rooted in Equity, Growing in Community
At YSGA, diversity, equity, and inclusion aren’t simply words on a mission statement—they’re the foundation of the school’s culture. From classrooms to policy meetings, the commitment to equity shapes daily decisions and long-term planning. It starts with the curriculum. Lessons are built to reflect the identities, histories, and voices of the scholars who fill each room. Whether through literature, social studies, or project-based learning, students see their cultures reflected and respected.
But YSGA’s approach goes well beyond academics. The school hosts multicultural celebrations that honor the many backgrounds represented in its community. These events aren’t just for show—they’re spaces where scholars and families connect, share, and build understanding. On the discipline side, restorative practices replace traditional punishments, and all policies are reviewed through an equity lens to prevent bias and promote fairness.
Staff undergo regular DEI training as part of their professional development, ensuring that the work of inclusion doesn’t sit still. YSGA also provides structures for open dialogue and accountability. A DEI advisory committee, made up of scholars, staff, and parents, meets regularly to guide school practices. Scholars have access to affinity groups and a clear bias incident reporting system—both designed to ensure that every voice can be heard.
At its core, YSGA believes that every child should walk into school knowing they belong. And they’ve built the systems—and community—to make that belief real.
Supporting the Whole Scholar
At YSGA, success isn’t measured by grades alone. The school takes a full-circle approach to support, recognizing that academic growth and personal development go hand in hand. Scholars have access to counseling services, social work support, and peer mentoring programs that help them navigate challenges both in and out of the classroom.
As scholars move into middle school, YSGA begins introducing career awareness in tangible ways. Students build personal portfolios, visit workplaces, and take part in a career fair that features professionals from a wide range of industries. These early experiences help scholars connect classroom learning with real-world possibilities.
Through partnerships with local organizations, the school also provides exposure to post-secondary and career pathways long before graduation. Whether it’s exploring college options or discovering a new trade, YSGA ensures scholars can see the road ahead—and believe they belong on it.
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“Our goal is to ensure every scholar at YSGA feels empowered, supported, and inspired to succeed—not just in school, but in life.”
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