HOUSING

Housing for High  School Students – Byham House

Byham House offers a safe and nurturing “home away from home.”

“Living at Byham is like living with a giant family, all loving the same thing you do and with the same dreams.” – Lydia P., Pre-professional Student

PBT’s student residence offers supervised room and board accommodations for out-of-town high school students from ages 14-18 in Level 8.

Students will enjoy the camaraderie and built-in support system of this diverse, dedicated community environment—and parents enjoy knowing their child is safe and provided for under the watchful eye of our experienced housing staff. 

Byham House amenities and services include:

  • Live-in supervision (staff member available 24 hours a day)
  • Daily dinner prepared by house chef, with ingredients kept stocked for other meals
  • Bedroom with bed, dresser, nightstand, and closet/wardrobe
  • Wireless internet access
  • All utilities and laundry included
  • A full schedule of programs and activities (note: some trips may require additional cost
  • Assistance with medical appointments
  • Assistance with travel arrangements
  • Ongoing communication with parents, including monthly newsletters and a semester Wellness Report

Byham House occupies three floors in a historic, 7,000-square-foot property located in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville neighborhood, just six blocks from PBT studios. Byham House is a co-ed housing opportunity with accommodations for up to 21 students.

Rooms

Byham House offers single or shared room options, priced accordingly, with first choice of preference given to returning students. PBT provides bedroom essentials (bed, dresser, nightstand, and closet or wardrobe) for every student. Residents are encouraged to decorate their rooms to show off their personalities and help them feel at home!

The Lounge

The lounge serves as the social center of the house. Movie nights, painting nights, game nights, and more fill the space with laughter, creativity and friendly competition.

Study Lounge

Byham House offers a cozy, productive group space for studying, tutoring and more. Students have access to a black-and-white printer and basic office supplies, and staff is available to assist with time management and exam proctoring.

Dining

Byham House offers a communal dining experience each weekday evening to all residents. Our masterful personal chef crafts delicious, nutritious dinners prepared with a young athlete’s dietary needs in mind. Provisions are available for other meals, including a salad bar, fruit, sandwich supplies, cereals and more. Byham House features a fully equipped kitchen (including a stove, oven, microwave and blender) and a spacious dining room.

Programming

Whether it’s a trip to Ohiopyle State Park, trying a famous Primanti’s sandwich in the Strip District or attending an arts, cultural or sporting event, Byham House residents are sure to enjoy a variety of group excursions organized by house staff. Visit a pumpkin patch in the fall, go ice skating downtown and explore Pittsburgh classics like the zoo and Kennywood Park—there’s no end to the adventures our students have with their new housemates.

Residents are also expected to fulfill a Community Engagement requirement to help them take ownership of their positive impact in the community, and learn more about the organizations and social issues that exist in their new home. This is an excellent chance for students to give back to their community, cultivate independence and demonstrate responsibility and build up impressive experiences for resumes and college applications.

Transportation

While Byham residents walk to classes at PBT studios during the warmer months, bus passes for Pittsburgh’s public transportation are provided from November through March. During these months, the bus passes can also be used when signing out to explore the city! In addition, PBT has a 14-passenger van that is used for transportation to excursions and appointments. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the airport around breaks.

Policies and Procedures

Upon enrollment into our program, each Byham House resident (and their guardian) will receive a Resident Handbook with our policies and procedures aimed at creating a positive communal space focused on open communication and growth. This document clearly explains curfews, visitor policies, signing out and other aspects of living in Pittsburgh that help keep our residents safe and secure while far from home. Residents are expected to read carefully and abide by this important contract.

Pricing and Application

Pricing for Byham House is designed to be comparable to Pittsburgh’s typical cost of living, while also covering basic costs for 24-hour supervision, food and additional amenities. 

For the 2022-2023 School Year, the Byham House is $10,745.

After registering for Level 8, students will be able to complete a Byham House Application in their family portal. For questions regarding the application materials or process, please contact PBT School at 412-281-6727 or pbtschool@pittsburghballet.org.

Please Note: PBT School cannot guarantee housing availability. There are no housing refunds. In the event that a student withdraws, student/family is responsible for full payment.

Housing for Graduate Students

Graduate students are responsible for finding their own housing. We encourage students to consider convenient public transportation routes to PBT School as well as safety and security and cost when selecting accommodations. Recommended areas for your search include: Bloomfield, Friendship, Lawrenceville, Oakland, Shadyside and Squirrel Hill. However, we also recommend that students visit these and other areas of Pittsburgh prior to committing to any rental arrangement.