About
Rooted In Tradition. Focused On Students. Connected To Community.
Foster Elementary has proudly served Mt. Lebanon students since 1941, growing alongside the community while staying grounded in a simple motto: We are kind, courteous, and respectful.
Foster At A Glance
- Opened in 1941 as Mt. Lebanon’s fifth elementary school.
- Originally served fewer than 100 students; today serves about 275 students in grades K–5.
- Expanded in 1954 (gymnasium addition) and 1966 (classrooms, office space, parking).
- Fully renovated in 2003 to support modern teaching and learning.
A School Built with Community Spirit
- The school sits on land that was once rolling farmland and orchards.
- Former Hoodridge Drive residents recall riding horses through the fields, with farmers transporting their vegetables and produce to Castle Shannon in horse-drawn carts.
- The original faculty included just three teachers, each teaching multiple grades
- Foster’s welcoming, neighborhood feel once earned it the nickname “Country Day School.”
Named for a Musical Legacy
- Foster Elementary honors Stephen Collins Foster, the Pittsburgh-born composer often called the father of American music. His legacy reflects creativity, cultural connection, and the power of shared experiences.
Continuing the Story
- For more than eight decades, Foster Elementary has helped generations of students learn, grow, and thrive. That tradition continues each day through caring relationships, strong academics, and a community committed to supporting every learner.