While some records readily exist online about the university’s old preschool program, the same is not true for its elementary school which served first through sixth grade. This article from Jan. 28, 1993, details the school’s closure and why it happened. Point Park still offers a degree in Elementary Education, though.

The Point Park College Children’s School will eliminate its elementary program, effective June 3. The program includes first through sixth graders. The summer elementary program will continue as will the infant through kindergarten program.
According to President J. Matthew Simon, the decision was made jointly between the college board of trustees, the department of education, the children’s school and the administration.

The closing of the school is a cost-cutting move that will help the budget. According to Lasowski, it should also improve the infant through kindergarten program.

“This particular program was certainly not cost-effective,” said Dr. Lloyd Welling, head of the education department. He explained that the revenue of the 40 students enrolled in the program did not meet the cost of staff and other support services.

According to Betty Lasowski, director of the children’s school, it has been known for quite some time that the elementary school has not been self-supporting. Although it was considered valuable, there was no way to keep the school in operation.
Raising tuition would not solve the problem. Tuition pays only the teacher’s salaries. It does not cover materials, administration or office help.

“To get enough money to pay for the true cost of the program we would have to double the tuition,” said Lasowski.
Expanding was another possibility, but the space is not available at this time.

“We do not have the space to enlarge the elementary school and, as a result, we’re kind of in a Catch-22,” said Welling.
Welling expressed his hopes that the college will try to revive the program in the future.

“Even if the Bank Center were open, I don’t know whether that would provide enough space, said Welling. “They will have to assess the space they have and then work with their budget.”

Both Welling and Lasowski expressed their satisfaction with the program and their regret in losing it. Both understand that there were no other alternatives.

“Our staff and administration have done a tremendous job of providing a very rich elementary experience, so it’s not that the college didn’t want an elementary school here,” said Lasowski.

The closing should have a positive effect on the budget and the infant through kindergarten program. Space gained by the department will be used for a learning laboratory.

Lasowski explained that the laboratory is a model classroom that allows education majors to experience the classroom environment. It is also a multi-media lab which enables them to make slides and transparencies and take them out to use in the classroom.

“I see that as a tremendous benefit to the children’s school,” said Lasowski.