Dogwood Charter School plans to open to students for 2024-25 school year
A big step was taken in the development of Dogwood Charter School in Bethel Park School District.
The state Charter Appeal Board approved Dogwood’s charter on July 11, with the expectation that the school will open for the 2024-25 school year in the Bethel Park Industrial Park. The school will initially be open to students in grades K-8, but there are plans to expand through 12th grade.
Dogwood Charter School is based on the teaching philosophies of Charlotte Mason (1842-1923), an English educator, lecturer and author. Mason believed students thrive in a relational education – a philosophy of teaching that focuses on the relationships between the student and the ideas presented to them. Dogwood would be the second public school to implement Mason’s philosophy. Gillingham Charter School in Pottsville was the first.
“We recognize that not every child learns best in the traditional school setting,” said Beth Opat White, Dogwood’s founder. “We wanted to fill a gap that is missing in education, and make sure it was a public education so everyone could attend not just if you have the means to attend a private school. We understand that not every child fits into that mold of what traditional education is, so we created Dogwood to be that avenue.”
The Mason philosophy to be used at Dogwood is outdoor education, not just for science but for all subjects.
“In Spanish class, they can walk outside and be using Spanish words as they are walking around,” Opat White said. “It’s very intentional in using the outdoor space around us throughout the day.”
The inside of the building will be decorated like a home with paintings, lamps, pictures, and tables instead of desks.
“That’s another way to lower that intimidation level,” Opat White said. “It’s a different feel for children when they walk in because they’re comfortable with the home setting.”
Opat White is a Bethel Park native and graduate of Bethel Park High School. Currently, she is the preschool director of St. David’s Christian Early Learning Center in Venetia, and before that worked at City High Charter School in Pittsburgh.
“Seeing how that functioned, it was always an idea in the back of my head, but never in my wildest dreams did I think I would ever take those steps,” Opat White said. “I always felt that we were missing something in education.”
Opat White started the charter process about three years ago. She knew she wanted to have a school in Bethel Park because of her connections to the borough.
The Bethel Park School District will serve as the authorizer for Dogwood, meaning the district oversees the charter school.
“We are our own entity, but we’re in their district,” Opat White said.
She has received support from the community, which is integral in the application process. A survey taken when the process began received about 200 responses and 155 families expressing interest in enrolling a child once the school opens.
“We’ve had people reaching out from the moment we got approved,” Opat White said. “I think families are excited knowing it’s happening and maybe more engaged than they were at the beginning.
Opat White said while there is a stigma connected with charter schools, she hasn’t really received much negative feedback.
“People feel that we hurt schools in the financial sense, that we marginalize areas as a result of being in existence,” she said. “I know from other charters there is that perception with the general public. When I talk to people individually, I don’t really get that. We’re thankful the community has supported us. We’re really out here just to do good and not be in any way a hindrance, and to be an asset to the community.”
Opat White thinks Dogwood may be just the place for those students who are not comfortable in a traditional educational setting.
“It gives families another option for their children,” she said. “There are some things we do that other schools can’t. Little kids can take on big ideas. They’ll take on what they can out of it, and they’ll explore. We just want to keep that curiosity and love of learning continuing through their whole career of education.”