The Teach from DeHart Academy

Arnold, Pennsylvania. Fall 2025.

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Revitalization through Education

The Teach from DeHart Academy will be a non-profit middle school, located in the heart of Arnold, PA. The school itself is set to host 5th-8th grade students, teaching values and skills that will transition them into a lifestyle of success.
When students attend TFDA, they will have had a chance to gain a world class education, as well as see the world they are learning through hands-on travel or through visits with adults who are leaders in their field within the community. Our "whole child" education will involve a strong curriculum, travel opportunities, and engagement in the community. We want students to experience their learning at The Teach from DeHart Academy.
The Teach from DeHart Academy is more than just a school. TFDA’s key components will be developing a community mindset in students by helping them learn to recognize and use their own personal skills and abilities to invest in their community. Our school will help to bring the city up, through the students and parents.
Parents of students who attend the academy, as well as local adults, will have the chance to join our adult education program and get their GED and job training. We hope to partner with businesses not only financially, but also by having them bring jobs to the area.

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Foundational Partners

Creating Opportunities

The students at the Teach from DeHart Academy are going to be learning at higher levels than expected. They will be challenged academically, socially, and mentally through opportunities of travel the school will provide. When students graduate from TFDA, they will have had a chance to gain a world class education, as well as see the world they are learning about first hand. Our curriculum will involve trips around the world, the United States, and the Pittsburgh area. We want students to experience their learning at The Teach from DeHart Academy. Students will also compete in competitions both academically and athletically. Such competitions could include boys and girls basketball, the Amazing Shake in Atlanta, GA, regional academic and model UN competitions, and many more.

Developing Goals

We want students to not only develop goals but practice strategies to execute those goals. Academic success is a key component of the Teach from DeHart Academy. Our students will see rigor in every classroom, from general education classes, to specials. Although they will see high academics, they will also be taught ways to develop self-motivation. Teaching students content is only part of the battle. At TFDA, our students will learn content and how to apply the things they learn. Manners and excellence as a person are the most important developing points of the Teach from DeHart Academy.

Changing Lives

The Teach from DeHart Academy is more than just a school. TFDA is a key piece to a revitalization project that has already begun in the New Kensington/Arnold area. Our school will help to bring the city up, through the students and parents. While students at the academy are gaining a world class education and developing skills that will take them to college and beyond, their parents are simultaneously changing their lives through our adult learning program. This academy will be used to break generational poverty.

Our Story

July 2021

In July 2021, Mr. DeHart was approached by parents of students during their Teach From DeHart Foundation summer trip about starting a school of his own. This created the thought bubble of what a possible “TFDA” could look like in the future.
October 2021

When visiting his wife’s family and attending a church service Mr. DeHart was made aware of the over 40% poverty index in New Ken/Arnold. This sparked his curiosity to walk through the area and see it for himself.
After walking down the road, Mr. DeHart turned the corner on to 4th Avenue and saw the abandoned school building (above) for sale. This set off a whirlwind of emotions and ideas.
November 2021

After almost 2 weeks of consideration, Mr. DeHart inquired about the building. During the call he learned the building had been under contract to be sold until the day he decided to inquire about it. He took that as a sign to pursue the school.
Once the vision of the school had been explained, Mr. DeHart and the TFDA Core team visited the building for initial inspections.
All while still teaching, coaching, and taking students on trips in SC at his public elementary school.
January 2022

Once the 2 months of inspections on the building were completed, Mr. DeHart was given the go ahead to purchase the building and publicly announce the creation of The Teach from DeHart Academy, in Arnold, PA.
With the initial social media release over 23,000 people were reached and the buzz about the new school began to spread in the New Ken/Arnold area.
March 2022

Phase I fundraising was completed and the team had raised enough money to purchase the building debt free. This gave the foundation the momentum to move into Phase II and begin a capital campaign to move forward.
July 2022

Phase II begins with design work from local architect, Canzian & Johnson. Building renderings are created and the Teach from DeHart team partners with Beck & Stone, a national branding agency out of New York City to begin their Capital Campaign.
July 2023

After a year of back-and-forth between Arnold and South Carolina, Mr. DeHart and his wife moved to the Pittsburgh area to pursue the Teach from DeHart Academy full-time.

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January 2024

Construction officially begins by removing asbestos by Moret Construction & Pittsburgh Demo & Cleanouts in the 4th Ave location. With the asbestos removal, the DeHart Academy team could move forward with the final design and project renovations.

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