Penn Hills, PA, September 5, 2025
News Summary
Dominus High School in Penn Hills will not open as planned due to financing and approval delays. Just days before the academic year was to begin, the Woodland Hills school board rejected a request for virtual learning, leaving families scrambling to register at new schools. The Penn Hills School District held an open house to assist the affected students. Initially, 60 students were set to enroll at Dominus, but now over 40 have joined the Penn Hills District as the charter school aims to open in the 2026-27 school year.
Penn Hills, PA – Dominus High School will not open as scheduled for the upcoming academic year due to financing and approval delays. Just days before the school year was set to begin, the Woodland Hills school board rejected Dominus’s request to allow students to start with virtual learning before transitioning to in-person classes. This decision has led to confusion and frustration among parents and students alike.
Parents were informed of the situation through an email, which caused considerable anxiety given the short notice. Students were left in limbo, with many unsure of where they would attend school just three days before classes were supposed to commence. For instance, student Kamryn Ivy expressed her surprise and confusion when she learned that Dominus would not be opening after having prepared for the school year. Similarly, parents like Kristina Wall voiced their concerns about the stress of having to re-register for a different school, highlighting the potential impact this would have on their children’s high school experience.
Other parents, including Jae Love, expressed their frustration after investing time and resources in preparing their children for the school, including purchasing uniforms. Approximately 60 students were initially set to attend Dominus, but as of now, over 40 have enrolled in the Penn Hills School District, which has stepped in to support those affected.
The open house organized by Penn Hills was held to help families transition smoothly. Superintendent John Mozzocio stated that the purpose of the open house was to provide transparency and welcome new students into the district. Registrars were on hand at the event to assist families with the enrollment process. This event took place on a Thursday night and included student-led tours and dinner for attendees, with plans confirmed to start on September 4 at 6:30 p.m.
Although some parents expressed hesitance about enrolling their children in Penn Hills, initial impressions appeared positive during the open house. However, the sudden changes have resulted in students missing valuable school time and potentially impacting their engagement in extracurricular activities like cheerleading.
As of August 27, it was confirmed that Dominus High School could not offer classes for the academic year of 2023-24. Originally designed to be a charter school focused on entrepreneurial education with a target enrollment of 250 students, Dominus now aims to open for the 2026-27 school year. The leadership of Dominus has asserted their commitment to work on effective communication and transitions for affected students.
The Woodland Hills School District remains dedicated to assisting families during this period of uncertainty, ensuring that educational opportunities are preserved despite the disruptions caused by Dominus’s delay. A special meeting convened by the Woodland Hills School Board on August 26 ended in a tied vote (4-4) denying the request for virtual instruction, contributing to the current educational plight faced by these families.
Open House Highlights
- Date: September 4
- Time: 6:30 p.m.
- Features: Student-led tours and dinner
- Enrollment assistance available
Key Facts Summary
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Initial Students for Dominus | 60 students |
| Current Enrollment at Penn Hills | 40+ students |
| Confirmed Opening for Dominus | 2026-27 school year |
| Woodland Hills Board Vote | 4-4, denied virtual instruction |
FAQs
Why is Dominus High School not opening this year?
Financing and approval delays led to the Woodland Hills school board denying the school’s request for virtual learning.
What impact does this have on affected families?
Families experienced confusion and were forced to re-register their children for a different school just days before the start of the school year.
What support is available for students affected by this decision?
The Penn Hills School District organized an open house where registrars assisted with enrollment, and provided tours and meals to families.
When is the open house for Penn Hills School District?
The open house is set for September 4, starting at 6:30 p.m.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- WTAE: Penn Hills Dominus School
- Wikipedia: Charter School
- CBS News: Penn Hills Accepting Dominus Charter School Students
- Google Search: Dominus High School Penn Hills
- TribLive: Penn Hills High School Opens Doors to Charter School Enrollees
- Google Scholar: Dominus High School Delays
- WTAE: Dominus High School Postpones Opening
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Penn Hills
- WPXI: Local School District Opening Doors for Displaced Dominus High School Students
Author: STAFF HERE PHILADELPHIA WRITER
PHILADELPHIA STAFF WRITER The PHILADELPHIA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhiladelphia.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mummers Parade, Philadelphia Flower Show, and Thanksgiving Day Parade. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Philadelphia, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, food services, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Comcast, Aramark, and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Pennsylvania's dynamic landscape.
