Students Run School: Inside Clairton's 'Beartopia'

Clairton Elementary School has launched 'Beartopia,' a novel micro-society initiative where students actively manage the school's operations. This program, adopted from nonprofit MicroSociety Inc., designates classrooms as student-run businesses, fostering leadership and practical skills. Fifth graders, for instance, take on roles as managers and bookkeepers, overseeing younger students in ventures like 'Paws and Pages' or 'Paper Purveyors.'

This innovative model is being implemented in a district historically known for its powerhouse football program, but which also faces academic challenges. Beartopia introduces a student-elected government, a judicial system, and a security force, with each grade level functioning as a state and homerooms as cities. This structured environment aims to make learning more relevant and engaging for the 793 students.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance educational offerings, including STEM and arts courses, in a district with below-median per-pupil funding. Partnerships with community organizations supplement programs like coding and robotics. Market days are planned where students can purchase goods made by their peers using a debit card and salaries earned throughout the school year.

Beartopia also seeks to address chronic absenteeism by giving students compelling reasons to attend school. Alongside this, the district is expanding extracurriculars like a musical production and a theater program, funded in part by grants and student fundraising. These programs aim to showcase that Clairton offers more than just athletics, emphasizing resilience and high expectations.