Why choose the Charter School of Excellence?
The CSE is committed to a positive school experience. The Charter School of Excellence (CSE) is a free non-profit public school that opened in 2003. The CSE has grown since inception and the mission remains the same which is to provide a variety of educational opportunities to foster academic excellence through partnerships with families, community, and school. We provide programs and services to facilitate intellectual growth and enable students to become independent, responsible, and employable citizens.
The CSE currently enrolls approximately 575 students in grades 6-12. The Charter School of Excellence is committed to a small and safe learning environment with a focus on core academics, high interest electives, and social-emotional learning and workforce development skills that are transferable to any after high school plans. We are proud of the 1,100 CSE graduates to date and the parent and graduate feedback continues to be that CSE was the right fit in providing a quality education.
The Charter School of Excellence would not exist without the partnership of Perseus House, Inc. CSE and Perseus House, Inc. are two separate non-profit organizations that serve at-risk youth. The Charter School of Excellence is a public school of choice and Perseus House Inc. is an organization with residential and delinquency intervention programing. For this reason, we are often misunderstood, and we encourage anyone to learn more by taking a tour of the Charter School of Excellence by calling 814-651-9082.
What should I do if my address has changed?
If your address has changed, one form of residency documentation is required. Acceptable documentation includes: a dated deed, a lease, property tax bill, recent utility bill, credit card bill, recently dated vehicle insurance card, driver's license or vehicle registration card.
Find the change of address form linked below.
Change Your Address
I've heard that there are schools located at Lovell Place, which schools are there?
The Discovery Center middle school (grades 6-8) and the Skills Center high school (grades 9-12) are located at Lovell Place in between 13th and 14th and French Streets. The Leadership Center high school (grades 9-12) is located at 1511 Peach Street. All three locations are conveniently located within a few city blocks.
What is the difference between the high schools?
The Skills Center is intended to look like a college campus and workplace environment. In addition to the core academic classes, the Skills Center offers a variety of high interest electives such as Culinary Arts, Media Arts, Digital Music Production, Fine Arts, Animation, Graphic Design, and an English Language Development Program. The Skills Center offers a workforce development program and a variety of extracurriculars, clubs, and other opportunities in this building for motivated high school students.
The Leadership Center has a blended-model curriculum for students in grades 9-12. The Leadership Center offers small, safe classrooms with a typical class-size of about 15 students. The Leadership Center offers a curriculum that allows students to work at their own pace. The small class size provides an opportunity for students to receive an abundance of individual help from certified teachers. Students with barriers to their education receive additional supports by the non-instructional staff through partnerships with families and community agencies, as needed.
Students follow a dress code as there is no uniform requirement. For more information on the student dress code, please see the attached discipline policy linked below.
View the Policy
Can my student play PIAA sports?
Yes! While CSE does not have PIAA sports, all CSE students are eligible to play PIAA sports through their home school district. If you are interested in athletics or for NCAA Clearinghouse information, please contact Mr. Morris at 480-5914.
Can I get my student's working papers from CSE?
CSE students should contact their home school district for working papers.
Does my student qualify for a free or reduced lunch?
Yes, all CSE students qualify for free breakfast and lunch daily in all buildings.
Can I go to college after graduation?
Yes! There are more than 1,100 CSE graduates to date and many have attended college after graduation. Please see the Graduate Spotlight page here to view the accomplishments of some CSE graduates.
How does the school prepare students for the workforce and college?
The Charter School of Excellence has a one-of-a-kind program focused on a Workforce Development curriculum with skills that are transferable to any after high school plan. The CSE has a premier program that is unique to the school that is focused on the soft skills needed for any job. The skill development is varied and much of the focus is an extension of the Workforce Development and Culinary Arts programs. Students get the opportunity to gain soft skills in a real-world environment in customer service, hospitality, culinary arts, and event management in the building, the programs, and through the food truck. The CSE has partnered with many local organizations to connect students to opportunities. Additionally, the CSE has the opportunity for Honor's courses at the Skills Center and other post-secondary opportunities. The Guidance Office has many offerings throughout the school year focused on meeting the needs of all students after graduation.
Is there an ESL program at CSE?
Yes, all three locations of the Charter School of Excellence offer English Language Development programming. This program allows students to be in small class sizes based on the level of language proficiency. There is a focus on reading comprehension and vocabulary as well as cultural orientation in the local community. The goal is to provide a small learning environment and welcoming climate for students to succeed.
Learn More About ELD
I am interested in learning more about CSE, can my son or daughter shadow a student for a day?
Yes, the Charter School of Excellence is enrolling now! We welcome you to tour the Charter School of Excellence and we are interested in showcasing the culture, environment, and accomplishments of the CSE students and staff! Please contact Mrs. Dildine at 814-651-9082 for more information.
Learn More About Student Shadowing
Can students drive and where would they park?
Being center-city results in little to no parking. Unfortunately, there is no student parking available.
How do I check my grades?
We encourage all parents to sign up for the PowerSchool Parent Portal to access student grades 24/7. For more information, please contact Mr. Timmers at 814-651-9066.
Where do I go if I need Special Education services?
Feel free to contact Mr. Fortin, Director of Pupil Services, at 814-480-5954.
What time can students enter the building?
The buildings open at 8am for free breakfast in the cafeteria with academic tutorial starting at 8:15am.
What do I need to do if we are going on a family vacation during the school year?
CSE believes that every school day is important and that all students should strive for at least 95% attendance. The CSE encourages families to schedule trips during the summer or school days that are not in session. There is a vacation request that goes to the building principal at least two weeks prior.
It's easy! We encourage students to be active in clubs, after-school activities, and intramurals. Interested students should seek out Student Government representatives or peer mentors or inquire with the Guidance Office or Program Facilitator or Principal's Office. The CSE Student News also highlights upcoming opportunities throughout the school year.
What is the bell schedule and what are the hours of the school day?
School starts at 8:40 AM and dismissal is at 2:55 PM in all three buildings.
Discovery Center & Skills Center Bell Schedule
8:40 AM-9:40 AM
9:43 AM-11:15 AM
11:48 AM-1:20 PM
1:23 PM-2:55 PM
The Leadership Center Bell Schedule
8:40 AM-10:03 AM
10:06 AM-11:29 AM
11:32 AM-1:29 PM
1:32 PM-2:55 PM
When are Early Dismissal days?
Academic tutorial is available to all students free of charge. All CSE teachers are available as part of their schedule from 8:15am-8:40am every day except Tuesday. Students are encouraged to seek out tutorial to meet with their teacher's, catch up on work, and get extra help. Appointments can be arranged with teachers after school as well.
Cool Beans is a student-led coffee shop at the Charter School of Excellence Skills Center. It is an extension of the Culinary Arts and Workforce Development Programs and employs students. Cool Beans opens daily at 8am and offers a variety of reasonably priced items such as assorted coffees, flavored iced-coffees, biscotti, pastries, snacks, and other items.
How do I get onto Workforce?
The Workforce Development Program is available to high school students as part of the CSE curriculum. Students can take courses in this program which leads to internal and external placements for real-world job opportunities. Students start the process by being scheduling a workforce course followed by applying for a job with the CSE employment application.
Learn More About Workforce Development
Do I qualify for a bus pass?
Middle School: All qualifying CSE middle school students will be transported to and from school via EMTA buses. To qualify for a district bus pass, middle school pupils must reside in the City of Erie and live one and a half (1.5) miles or more from the Discovery Center. CSE will utilize Google Maps, using the walking distance from home to school, to determine mileage eligibility. All middle school students must have a district-issued bus pass to ride an EMTA bus to and from school.
High School: All qualifying CSE high school students will be transported to and from school via EMTA buses. To qualify for a district bus pass, high school pupils must reside in the City of Erie and live two miles (2.0) or more from the school in which the pupils are enrolled. The district will utilize Google Maps, using the walking distance from home to school, to determine mileage eligibility. All high school students must have a district-issued bus pass to ride an EMTA bus to and from school.
In order to determine if a family qualifies for a bus pass, please contact Mr. Fortin at 480-5954.
How do I reach the nurse's office?
There is a Nurse's Office in each CSE school building and are available daily. If you have questions on incoming students and their medical needs, please contact the Lead School Nurse at 814-651-9054.
Visit the Nurse
How many credits do I need to graduate?
The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires 22 credits for high school graduation. Many CSE students graduate with more than the required 22 credits. The CSE diploma is equivalent to any other diploma issued in a Pennsylvania Public School.
View Graduation Requirements
When do I take the PSSAs and Keystone Exams?
Middle School students take the PSSAs every spring and generally in April. High School students are required to take the Keystone Exams in Algebra, Biology and Literature by their 11th grade year and testing is generally in May.
How do I access Safe2Say?
Safe2Say teaches students how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others via the anonymous reporting system. The Safe2Say system is available on the CSE homepage and available 24/7.
