History of FCAAE

Fox Chapel Area Adult Education (FCAAE) was created in 1962 as a collaborative effort between volunteers in the Fox Chapel Area community and administrators of the Fox Chapel Area School District (FCASD).

Shortly after the completion of Fox Chapel Area High School in 1961, district leaders and engaged community members asked a simple but powerful question: could the new school facilities also serve district taxpayers by offering evening classes for adults? Together, they agreed the answer was yes.

That shared vision led to the formation of the Fox Chapel Area Adult Education Committee and the launch of its first semester in Fall 1962. Before long, the familiar red-print flyers began arriving in local mailboxes — inviting adults across the community to learn, create, and connect.

More than six decades later, FCAAE remains true to its original mission as an outreach program of FCASD: providing accessible, high-quality, varied enrichment classes for adults from all communities. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by a volunteer board and led by an Executive Director, FCAAE continues to offer opportunities for adults to use the district’s resources for personal growth while creating a forum for individuals to share their passions and expertise.

As a nonprofit outreach program, FCAAE is self-funded through class tuition and receives no tax dollars or school district operating funds. Since our founding in 1962, our varied, high-quality programs have existed because of you and for you. Each time you enroll in a class, you support lifelong learning and help sustain opportunities for adults to learn, create, and connect close to home.

While we stopped mailing our traditional red-print flyers in 2020, we have never stopped serving our community of adult learners. FCAAE continues to adapt with the times — both in how we reach learners and in the classes we offer. Today, semester information, registration, and payment are available through a user-friendly website designed with our students in mind. At the same time, we remain committed to ensuring that technology is never a barrier. We are always happy to assist by phone or help adults who are less familiar with online systems so that everyone feels welcome and supported.

We offer three semesters of diverse programming from September through May and welcome adults from all neighborhoods and communities to join our vibrant network of lifelong learners and doers. Each classroom becomes its own mini-community — a microcosm of connection and shared experience.

We don’t just provide classes. We provide connection.