The top reported proficiency rate is 68% in Science. The lowest is 30% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Pittsburgh Roosevelt K -5
Pittsburgh Roosevelt K–5 is a small public elementary school in Pittsburgh's South Side neighborhood, serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. Nearly all students—more than nine in ten—qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and the enrollment is drawn from a diverse mix of racial and ethnic backgrounds, with roughly equal shares of Black and white students and meaningful populations identifying as two or more races and Hispanic. The school's student body reflects Pittsburgh itself: a community with substantial economic stress but real diversity.
On state testing in math and English language arts, Roosevelt's proficiency rates sit noticeably below the midpoint among Allegheny County district schools. About three in ten students scored at proficient or above on the 2024–25 state math and reading assessments. This is a material gap: the county's schools cluster much higher. Science testing, administered last in the 2022–23 school year, showed a markedly different picture—roughly two-thirds of tested students reached proficiency—though science is not tested every year at the elementary level, so that figure is now a couple of years old. State testing data for earlier grades below third were not available.
The disparity between Roosevelt's reading and math results and its science outcome invites a parent to ask the school directly what instructional moves or supports might explain the difference and whether strengths in science suggest untapped capacity in literacy and numeracy. The district as a whole is undertaking a major shift in how K–3 reading is taught, moving to a phonics-based science-of-reading curriculum starting in 2023–24. Roosevelt's third and fourth graders are working within that framework, but gains take time. A parent considering Roosevelt might ask what literacy support is in place for younger readers and how the school is measuring progress toward the broader district literacy goals.
The broader Pittsburgh Public Schools landscape is in flux. In May 2026, the school board approved a Future-Ready Facilities Plan closing nine buildings over the next several years, restructuring many others, and phasing out nearly all elementary magnet programs. Roosevelt is not listed among the closures. The plan reshapes feeder patterns and neighborhood school assignments citywide, meaning families should expect ongoing transitions in which buildings serve which grades and neighborhoods. Additionally, the Pittsburgh Promise scholarship program—which had historically provided college-tuition support to PPS graduates—will end after the Class of 2028, removing a significant incentive that had drawn some families to the district.
The neighborhood around Roosevelt sits in a zip code where median home values and monthly rents reflect modest affordability relative to Pennsylvania and national benchmarks. The housing market shows moderate activity, with supply and demand both settling around the midpoint. Property taxes rose in December 2025, adding a cost-of-living factor for homeowners.
Roosevelt's enrollment is small but stable across its grade bands, suggesting it is not immediately threatened by the district's broader shrinkage. The school operates as a regular public elementary, with no special magnet or alternative designation. For a family seeking a neighborhood school with diverse peers, strong community needs, and a willingness to engage directly with the school about literacy instruction and school-level response to district curriculum shifts, Roosevelt offers authentic community schooling. For a family prioritizing highest test-score outcomes or seeking a specialized program, a parent may want to look into other options within Pittsburgh or the county.
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