Our Communities

Western Pennsylvania bleeds black and gold. And in a region with such long revered traditions and deep community investment, it is no wonder why there is an enduring pride surrounding the West Jefferson Hills School District. The public school district eight miles south of Pittsburgh, PA with its treasured black-and-gold history, comprises three communities – West Elizabeth, Jefferson Hills, and Pleasant Hills. For decades, the district of approximately 20 square miles has been the foundation for the generations of families who have chosen to remain there and a destination for families moving to the area. With close-knit communities and family-friendly amenities, including athletic playing fields, biking trails, parks, and libraries, West Jefferson Hills has long been recognized as an outstanding community for raising a family.

It is that connection with the community that daily reinforces the West Jefferson Hills School District’s three personal core values – respect, integrity, and empathy. District officials have strong working relationships with representatives from each borough and have forged partnerships with community and civic organizations. Those partnerships with the local chamber of commerce, rotary clubs, Jefferson Hospital, Coffee Tree Roasters, West Elizabeth Borough/Council, Jefferson Borough/Council, and Pleasant Hills Borough/Council, strengthen school programming and advance the mission of fostering positive relationships.

Relationships with local emergency services, along with a staff of experienced police officers in every school building further the district’s prioritization of providing safe and secure learning environments for every Jaguar. Through collaboration with local police departments, the district’s safety plans are continually reviewed and updated. Additionally, the district’s comprehensive emergency operations plan is shared with appropriate agencies both within and outside the district. Partnering with Allegheny Health Network’s Chill Project, the district has placed professional counselors in the intermediate, middle, and high schools who stand ready to support students in grades 3-12 and staff with anxiety, stress, and mindful awareness. In 2022-2023, the district added a dedicated school counselor at each elementary school.

Safety and emergency services within are provided by a staff of dedicated police officers, volunteer firefighters, and emergency personnel, who visit with students at each school multiple times every year. Safety of its students is paramount to the district. Meetings are held yearly with the local police departments to continually review and update our school safety plans and work in collaboration. We maintain Emergency Operation Plans and share those with the appropriate agencies both within and outside of the district.
 
As of January 2025, the district’s total enrollment was 3,540 students which marks an increase of 41 students since August. That enrollment figure is expected to increase throughout the second semester as families continue to enroll students in the district. The current enrollment number is a 3.3% increase from last school year.

Enrollment has grown by 13.5% in the last five years and by nearly 24% from the 2016-2017 school year. Projections from the Pennsylvania Department of Education predict a more than 10% enrollment increase by 2028. West Jefferson Hills is the only school district in Allegheny County with a projected double-digit enrollment boost in that time period. However, the district is already outpacing the state’s projections released during the 2023-2024 school year. The district’s own demographic study completed in 2023 forecasted a nearly 8% increase in student enrollment from 2025 until 2032.