ANNUALREPORT2024-2025
The MISSION of Pace School is to provideindividualized education with mental health,behavioral, and autistic support servicesthat empower students fromK through age 21 to thrive.Our VISION is that Pace students will lead safe,productive, and healthy lives to reach their fullpotential and continue to grow so that theymay become integrated and positive membersof their communities.At Pace School...we believekids can.
Dear Friends,At Pace School, we work collaboratively to support each student to learn, grow andthrive.This past year, we saw incredible resilience from our students, families and staff.We navigated an unexpected building closure due to intense storms and an ongoingpower outage. As our student body grew, so too, did our staff. Reconnecting withour students, families and community was a highlight of our year.Guided by The PACE Way—Program Quality, Adaptability, Commitment, and Equity—we continued to provide specialized education and therapeutic supports for morethan 38 school districts across three counties.Together, we expanded our LEAF (Life Education for Adult Futures) transitionprogram, strengthened trauma-informed practices, and celebrated countlessstudent milestones. These successes are only possible because of our community—district partners, families, staff, and generous donors who believe in our mission.Our Board of Directors stood alongside Pace School and its mission to transformlives through our therapeutic and partial hospitalization services. Our governancethis year focused on advancing program quality, securing financial stability, andbuilding governance that will sustain Pace School for decades to come.We remain deeply committed to ensuring that every decision reflects our values ofequity and inclusion. We extend a heartfelt gratitude to our staff, families andsupporters who bring Pace School’s mission to life every day.Thank you for walking this journey with us. With your partnership, we will continuebuilding a future where every student has the tools to succeed.Yours in Education,A MESSAGE OF GRATITUDEDr. Amira McLemore WolfsonChief Executive OfficerMichael NicolellaBoard Presidentfrom the CEO and Board President
CHARLES At his preschool graduatio boy named Charles smiled Diagnosed with autism at kindergarten in his home Bright and eager, he faced from the classroom—that His parents realized their LEARNINGGROWINGTHRIVINGCharles in 2010-- the year he began at Pace!
And indeed, he has. In 2025, Charles becamethe first student to deliver a graduation speech atPace—a remarkable moment of confidence andcomposure that reflected how far he had come. Aftergraduation, he put his learned skills into action duringan interview with Goodwill, drawing on what he gainedthrough Pace’s LEAF (Life Education for Adult Futures)Program and a job readiness program, DelicateMotives. Charles arrived prepared, waited patiently,greeted the interviewers respectfully, and advocatedfor himself—demonstrating independence, maturity,and professionalism.Today, Charles continues to give back to his community through Meals on Wheels, greetingrecipients with kindness and taking pride in his responsibilities. Through the LEAF programand Pace’s job training partnership with Three Birch Trees and Spectrum Fudge, Charlesgained hands-on experience with teamwork, preparation, and following directions. Theseopportunities taught him the value of responsibility and self-sufficiency, helping him buildthe foundation for an independent and fulfilling adult life.As his teacher, Mr. DeFilippo, shared during graduation,“Charles has so much to offer as an adult. His work ethic,punctuality, compassion, and care for others will take him far”.Charles’s mother often says it “took a village” of Pace staff,family, friends, and neighbors to help him reach this point.Today, that little boy’s dream has come true.Charles is that good—and independent—young man.“I want to thank my family and school staff that have helped me getto this point. Good luck to all my friends on their new journey.”- Charles, 2025 Graduation SpeechGraduation Speech - May 2025Spectrum Fudge - Spring 2025
We use the PACE Way to achieveour mission and values...PACEPROGRAM QUALITYAll students deserve high-quality, safe,trauma-informed, and strengths-basedprograms and services.ADAPTABILITYStudents flourish with individualized andevidence-based programs that are responsiveto their unique needs.COMMITMENTLong-term impact requires sustainedeffort and adequate resources.EQUITYTeaching and learning thrive in anenvironment where each student, family,staff, and board member has access toopportunities, resources, and support.
Allegheny Valley McKeesport Area Propel HomesteadAvonworth Montour Propel McKeesportClairton City New Kensington-Arnold Propel MontourDuquesne City North Allegheny Propel PitcairnEast Allegheny Norwin Provident CharterElizabeth Forward Pace School RinggoldEnvironmentalCharter SchoolPenn Hills Shaler AreaFranklin Regional Penn Hills Charter South AlleghenyGateway Penn-Trafford SouthmorelandHighlandsPittsburgh PublicSchoolsSto-RoxJeannette City Plum Borough Urban Pathways K-5Kiski Area Propel Braddock Hills West Mifflin AreaManchesterAcademic CharterPropel Hazelwood Woodland HillsSERVING STUDENTSACROSS OUR REGION
Student & Family ImpactStaff SuccessSchool District & Community EngagementFinancial & Organizational HealthSTRATEGIC PLAN:Pace School’s five-year Strategic Plan, launched in 2023, isour blueprint for growth, innovation, and continuedexcellence. Developed collaboratively by the Board ofDirectors, school leadership, staff, and communitypartners, the plan reflects our shared vision for meeting theevolving needs of students and families. It emphasizesaccountability, creativity, and a steadfast commitment tothe mission that defines Pace—ensuring every student hasthe opportunity to thrive both in school and beyond.PROGRESS AND IMPACT
Student & Family ImpactSchool District & Community EngagementStaff SuccessFinancial & Organizational HealthOur student-centered, school-based programmingwill continually develop to address the needs ofstudents and families.Pace School will collaborate with districts andcommunity organizations to best servestudents and families.Pace School will be considered a“great place to work” for staff who prioritizeservice to students, families, and partners.Our high-performing organization and long-termfocus will support our programs and services.
Commonw Other Tuition & Fees Contributio REVENUESSalaries Benefits & Purchased Service Materials & Supplies EXPENSESFISCALYEAR 24-2585%11%3%57%19%11%6%4%3%OUR RESOURCES AT WORK
FoundationsBurke Foundations PartnershipClark Hunter FoundationThe Leigh Tison Charitable TrustThe Margaret Hotchkiss HamptonCharitable TrustBusinesses and OrganizationsBNY Wealth ManagementBox Tops for EducationCentral Maintenance & Service Co.Churchill Wilkins Rotary ClubIndividuals $1000+AnonymousChip Burke and Carole KingTheodore DwyerRalph and Janet FioreMatthew HelfrichNicolas LeoneThomas and Dona HotoppIndividuals $500-999Judith BellinNancy BrownellBrett FulesdayFrederick HenningerJames and Erin IslerKen and Linda KrynskiLynda PetrichevichJennifer SengIndividuals $250-499Jeanne BairdDr. Ira Bergman and Dalia BelinkoffRhonda FischJoseph JunkerMelissa SutcliffeDaniel and Carla HaserCheryl LevinThomas and Kelly NealNicholas WilsonIndividuals $100-249Laurann BleilMarilan CaitoDeb Casini KleinDr. Margaretha L CasselbrantJames EarleRobert GoldIrving J HalpernRonald and Meg HannanKarl HummelDavid and Barb KallaShannon and JD KochRubin and Marie MackClaire McWilliamsMichael NicolellaRobert and Rita ParrySidney RosenJeff SistekMatthew and Susan StewartDONOR HONOR ROLLThanks to Our 2024-25 Donors
Individuals $50-99Diane BradleyJonathan and Lisa BuddRenee CortazzoEdith J. EngelLou and Judy EpsteinMarcia HaleyDaniel and Ruth HurleyJanice KerriganFran KrausBonnie MillerCheryl PopatakValerie SimmonsIndividuals up to $50Lester BerkowitzNancy CarpenterKai HokeBrad LathomSarah LaughlinNicholas HoffmanAlexis Malter Leah MontgomeryDONOR HONOR ROLLThanks to Our 2024-25 DonorsCommemorat In memory of Berna ~Walter ReinIn memory of J ~Fran KraIn memory of Wi ~Sidney Ro Pace School will participate in theHighmark Walk for a Healthy Community Event 2026!STAY TUNED FOR MORE DETAILS!Pace is deeply grateful to all of the donors and in-kind contributors who helped transform the lives of our studentsand families through their annual giving and in-kind gifts in the 2024-25 fiscal year. Every effort has been made toaccurately reflect gifts and services received between 7/1/24 to 6/30/25. Please give Pace the opportunity toaddress inadvertent omissions or errors by contacting Janice Kerrigan, Development Coordinator, at 412-342-4304or [email protected]
HIGHMARK’SWALK FOR A HEALTHYCOMMUNITY EVENT 2025SponsorsAnonymousB3 Marketing SolutionsCentral Maintenance & Service Co.Coaching by the BookD.H. Bertenthal & Sons, Inc..Divine Delectables Unlimited, Inc.Indovina & AssociatesKay-TwelveMaher DuesselSimpson & McCrady, LLCSpectrum FudgeUnity Printing Co., Inc.412 Ice CreamXycom Technology GroupDonorsStella AlcantaraGloria ArhinDana BaranowskiMark BargaCarol BurdaMarilan CaitoKelsey CameronDeborah CaterinoJade CrisantiMelissa DirlingTerry DuffyJoan FisetSamantha HainesDonors (continued)Dakota HainesErin HaneyMatt HelfrichSara HummelKarl HummelBrinley HummelJanice KerriganLinda KrynskiBarbara LeglerNick LeoneLaura LevinSarah LevinCheryl LevinMary MaustMaryann McGowanMarcia OsborneCheryl PopatakWalter ReinemanSteven ReubiBecky ReyoldsJohn RogersSidney RosenDeb RoweChris SaitzKellan ThompsonKathleen VerbanetsAmira McLemore WolfsonBonnie Zurzolo
Michael Nicolella, PresidentCheryl Levin, Vice PresidentSara Stefanik, SecretaryLynda Petrichevich, TreasurerSamantha BeattyKezia BradyChandra Donnell CaryTheodore DwyerBrett FulesdayMatthew HelfrichKarl HummelSarah LaughlinNicolas G. LeoneMary Ruhl (parent representative)Jennifer SengMelissa SutcliffeDirectors EmeritusJoel R. BernardCharles R. Burke Jr.Marcia B. HaleyMaureen Mahoney HillPatricia A. JunkerGregory A. Morris, Ph.D.BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dr. Amira McLemore WolfsonChief Executive OfficerSteve ReubiChief Financial OfficerKellan ThompsonEducation DirectorRandi WojtaszekClinical DirectorPACE LEADERSHIPPICTURECornelious Nesbitt, Training and Development CoordinatorKristen McDowell, Program SupervisorKami Ritter, Program Supervisor
Pace Schoolredefines the learning experience forstudents with special needs.WAYSTOGIVEScan the QR code and learn how you can support andempower children to thrive!2432 Greensburg PikePittsburgh, PA 15221412-244-1900 Fax: [email protected]