Gateway Senior High School
Monroeville, Pennsylvania was founded in 1815 on lands ceded by local Native American tribes. It was named for James Monroe and incorporated in 1891. The community was incorporated as Patton Township in 1849 and then became the Borough of Monroeville in 1951 (reference Monroeville Historical Society).
Pitcairn Borough built its first school house in 1896. In 1916, Pitcairn erected Pitcairn High School. Elementary students attended Pitcairn 1, 2, or 3, Elementary Schools. In 1955, the schools in Monroeville and Pitcairn merged to form the Monroeville-Pitcairn Joint School District. At that time, officials began making plans for a new senior high school. Official action was voted in February 1956, then ground breaking in January 1957. Gateway High School cost approximately $5 million dollars to build.
The Joint School Board selected the name for the high school as Gateway Senior High School and the school was dedicated on November 15, 1959. By September 1958, 900 students from Monroeville and Pitcairn occupied the new high school. The first graduating class of 196 students received their diplomas in June 1959.
In 1960, the Joint community venture was renamed the Gateway Union School District, and in 1965 the name was changed to - Gateway School District.
Students in the District may attend Gateway High School for Grades 9-12 and Gateway Middle School for Grades 5-8. Depending on the location of a resident’s home and class size, students in K-4 attend one of four elementary schools. Other options include the Gateway Cyber Academy, approved private schools for some students with special needs, a public charter or Cyber School, or any of the non-public schools located within 10 miles of the District’s borders.
In the 2004-2005 school year, the school constructed a 1,000-seat auditorium, library, music and art suites, and additional classrooms.
Today Monroeville is a Municipality of over 30,000 residents. Roads, travel, transportation, and commerce remain the lifeblood of the community.