Pressley Ridge Day School Johnstown held a ribbon cutting ceremony on April 24th to celebrate the opening of their new playground. Thank you to Dave Donate from The Orchard for being a champion in making this playground a reality by sponsoring and hosting fundraising events at his business for over a decade! Thank you to John George from George’s Landscaping and Design LLC, who lent their time and services to excavate the playground site!
The 8th annual Pressley Ridge Sporting Clays Shoot was held on Monday, October 20th at Highlands Sporting Clays. The event raised more than $55,000 for our kids and families thanks to our sponsors and supporters, including JP Morgan Private Bank, Saul Ewing LLP, Lamar Advertising of Pittsburgh, MassMutual Pittsburgh, Troutman Pepper, Partlow Insurance Agency, RedHelm, Fisher Phillips and UPMC Health Plan.
The winning team was Mike Foster, Bill Hunter, Dave Hunter and Tyler Hunter representing JP Morgan Private Bank. In 2nd place was the Saul Ewing team of Gary Cline, Jeff Bender, Wes Brown and Gary Nixon. High Gun went to Brad Byers. Gaylin Frosini was the Top Female Shooter. Thanks to all who joined us!
View Event Photos Here
Pressley Ridge recently celebrated donors at the annual Circle of Hope and Support Donor Appreciation Dinner at Alla Famiglia. Corporate, foundation and individual donors, including employees and board members, were in attendance as we presented the annual Hope Award to Sherin Knowles, who has served on the board of directors for 60 years.
View Photos from the Donor Appreciation Dinner
The Hope Award honors donors whose exceptional support and dedication allows Pressley Ridge to continue our mission of doing whatever it takes to create success for children and families.
Sherin Knowles began her journey with Pressley Ridge in 1965, when she joined the board of directors for the Protestant Home for Children. Since then, she has cultivated a deep and enduring connection to the organization’s mission of serving children and families with care and innovation.
Over the past six decades, Sherin has played a vital role across multiple Pressley Ridge boards—including the governing board, foundation board, and advisory board—bringing wisdom, dedication, and heart to every endeavor. Her visionary leadership helped shape some of Pressley Ridge’s most transformative milestones, including the founding of the Ohiopyle Wilderness School in 1974 and the launch of the nation’s first therapeutic foster care program in 1981.
Sherin’s unwavering compassion and commitment have left an indelible mark on generations of children, and her legacy continues to inspire all who share in Pressley Ridge’s mission.
Learn more about Sherin and her contributions in the video below.
On August 19, Pressley Ridge kicked off the 2025–2026 school year with a special presentation by “America’s Educator” Ron Clark at the Greater Pittsburgh Masonic Center. Over 300 staff from Pressley Ridge’s five schools, along with local educators, attended the event.
Clark, founder of the nationally acclaimed Ron Clark Academy (RCA) in Atlanta, enthusiastically shared inspiring stories from his 30-year teaching career—many of which were featured in the Disney film The Ron Clark Story. He emphasized the power of the educators to impact not just students, but everyone those students encounter.
Clark also introduced the RCA House System, which Pressley Ridge will implement this year. Designed to build community and encourage student ownership, the system sorts students into four houses, each representing a core value:
Students earn points for character and achievement, with one house crowned champion annually. Leadership roles and house events foster engagement and unity.
“I am excited to create a space and culture of belonging within our schools. We’re confident that the RCA House System will be a valuable addition to our school community, and we look forward to seeing its positive impact on our students,” said Andrea Roberts, Senior Director of Education for Pressley Ridge.
Used worldwide, the RCA House System has led to fewer discipline issues, stronger relationships, better attendance, and improved academics.
Pressley Ridge currently serves nearly 250 students at its five specialized schools in Western Pennsylvania, including day schools for students with emotional and behavioral challenges located in Pittsburgh, Greensburg and Johnstown, as well as Pressley Ridge School for Autism and Pressley Ridge School for the Deaf in Pittsburgh.
Thanks to everyone who joined us for the 31st Annual Pressley Ridge Ice Cream Fundae presented by Huntington National Bank! Through sponsorship support and record-breaking ticket sales, we raised over $115,000 to help provide hope and support to the youth and families we serve through mental health, foster care and specialized education and other supportive services.
More than 3,000 attendees beat the heat with 13 flavors of Graeter’s Ice Cream while enjoying live music from Ambridge Steel Drum Band, magic, face painting, princesses, super heroes and much more! View photos and more videos from Ice Cream Fundae here.
Before the main event, our sponsors, donors and other supporters were treated to food, drinks, live music and exclusive flavors of Graeter’s Ice Cream at the VIP Party in the Garden Tent, which was presented by Henderson Brothers. Check out VIP photos here.
Congratulations to Lamar Advertising of Pittsburgh, People’s Choice Award Winner for “The Great Billboard Bakeoff” Cookie Dough Chip!
Save the date for next year: Sunday, July 26, 2026!
On Thursday, April 24, 25 Circle of Hope & Support donors joined Pressley Ridge at the Clemente Museum and Engine House 25 Wines for a wine tasting and tour.
Our guests mixed and mingled while sampling a variety of wines during the tasting led by Duane Reider, Head Vintner of Engine House 25 Wines and Executive Director of the Clemente Museum. Afterwards, they enjoyed a tour of the Clemente Museum, which included stories and a behind-the-scenes look at Roberto Clemente and his impact on baseball and Pittsburgh.
Thank you to everyone who joined us, as well as Duane and his team and our photographer, Joe Appel.