Inside The House
Then & Now: The Enduring Legacy of Westinghouse High School
By Pittsburgh Urban Media · July 2026
For generations of Pittsburghers, you didn’t have to say the full name.
Just say “The House.”
Immediately, people know exactly what you mean.
Westinghouse High School has never been just another school. It is a place where history was made, barriers were broken, and dreams took flight. For more than a century, the school has stood as a pillar of education and pride in Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood, producing some of the nation’s most influential musicians, athletes, artists, and community leaders.
As hundreds of alumni gather this summer for reunions, memories are flowing just as freely as the stories. People remember walking the halls, Friday night football under the lights, spirited pep rallies, dedicated teachers, and lifelong friendships. They remember a neighborhood that rallied around its school because Westinghouse represented far more than academics—it represented community.
Today, while the school has evolved into Pittsburgh Westinghouse Academy 6–12, one thing has remained constant.
The pride of being a Bulldog.
A School Built for a Growing City
Westinghouse High School opened its doors in 1924, named in honor of inventor and industrialist George Westinghouse, whose innovations transformed transportation and electrical power around the world. His Homewood estate, known as Solitude, once stood not far from where the school was built.
During the early decades, the school served a changing Pittsburgh. As the city’s demographics shifted during the mid-20th century, Westinghouse became the neighborhood high school for many African American families living in Homewood, East Liberty, Larimer, Lincoln-Lemington, East Hills, Highland Park, and nearby communities.
By the 1950s, “The House” had become one of the city’s premier African American educational institutions—a place where talent was nurtured, expectations were high, and excellence became part of the culture. Its impact would eventually extend far beyond Pittsburgh.
Where Legends Began
Few schools can point to an alumni roster as remarkable as Westinghouse’s. Within its classrooms sat young people who would go on to reshape American music, professional sports, fashion, and culture.
Long before he became one of America’s greatest composers, Billy Strayhorn walked the halls of Westinghouse. His groundbreaking partnership with Duke Ellington produced timeless classics including “Take the A Train,” “Lush Life,” and “Satin Doll.” A Pennsylvania historical marker outside the school honors the Homewood native.
A pioneering pianist, composer, and arranger, Mary Lou Williams helped shape the evolution of jazz while mentoring some of the greatest musicians in history. Her influence stretched from swing to bebop, making her one of the most important women in American music.
Elegant. Innovative. Influential. Ahmad Jamal’s distinctive style inspired countless jazz artists, including Miles Davis. His recordings remain essential listening for musicians around the world.
The self-taught piano genius composed one of the most beloved jazz standards ever written—“Misty.” His unmistakable style made him an international star and one of Pittsburgh’s greatest musical ambassadors.
Blessed with a rich, powerful voice, Dakota Staton became one of America’s most celebrated jazz vocalists, performing alongside many of the era’s biggest names.
Breaking Barriers in Sports
The House didn’t just produce musical greatness. It also changed professional sports.
In 1950, Chuck Cooper became the first African American player drafted into the NBA, forever changing the landscape of professional basketball. His courage and talent opened doors for generations of Black athletes who followed. Cooper’s legacy is inseparable from the story of Westinghouse and Black Pittsburgh.
One of basketball’s brightest young stars, Maurice Stokes earned NBA Rookie of the Year honors and became a three-time All-Star before a tragic injury cut short his remarkable career. His friendship with teammate Jack Twyman became one of the most inspiring stories in sports history.
Known for his scoring ability and longevity in the NBA, Eddie Johnson later became a respected national basketball analyst, continuing to educate fans long after his playing days ended.
1981 City Champions
The Westinghouse Bulldogs have long been synonymous with championship football in Pittsburgh. The 1981 City Champions represent one chapter in a tradition of athletic excellence that continues today under head coach Donta Green, whose teams have earned City League titles and deep PIAA state playoff runs.
Friday nights still bring families together. The stands still fill. The Bulldog spirit still lives.
Pioneers in Business & Community
Westinghouse produced a notable group of pioneering African American business leaders, executives, and entrepreneurs who left a significant mark on both the local Pittsburgh economy and national corporate landscapes. Many have been formally recognized on the school’s prestigious Wall of Fame.
Served as president and CEO of Alliant Energy, then transitioned to education management as chancellor of the University System of Georgia.
Broke barriers in the banking industry, rising to Senior Vice President of Mellon Bank, one of Pittsburgh’s historic financial institutions.
Became a high-ranking corporate executive with the world-famous, Pittsburgh-headquartered H.J. Heinz Company.
Operated Dwelling House Savings and Loan, a financial institution focused on providing home mortgages to African Americans who faced discrimination from mainstream banks.
Founded Dorsey’s Records in Homewood, which became one of the most culturally significant and longest-running Black-owned music stores in Pittsburgh.
Launched Edmonds Travel Consultants, navigating the corporate travel industry as a Black female business owner.
The House Today: A New Era of Opportunity
For generations, Westinghouse High School was known for producing scholars, artists, athletes, and leaders who made their mark around the world. Today, the mission of “The House” has expanded. While honoring its historic legacy, Pittsburgh Westinghouse Academy 6–12 is preparing students for a changing economy by combining traditional academics with hands-on career pathways.
Sports marketing, event management, business operations, finance, and entrepreneurship. A natural connection between the school’s rich sports tradition and the business world.
Blueprint reading, construction techniques, safety practices, and hands-on projects. A pathway toward skilled trades careers offering strong wages and advancement.
Hair care, skin care, nail technology, salon operations, and professional licensing preparation. Creating possibilities for entrepreneurship in an industry with deep community roots.
Food preparation, kitchen operations, hospitality, and food safety. Preparing students for Pittsburgh’s growing food scene, catering, and entrepreneurship.
Emergency response, public safety, fire services, and emergency medical careers. Creating the next generation of first responders for a city that depends on them every day.
The school continues to offer Advanced Placement courses and college readiness programs, including the Justice Scholars Institute—a partnership with the University of Pittsburgh School of Education that provides students with college-level experiences and academic support. Success does not come in only one form.
Leading the school is Principal Dr. Virginia Hill, herself a Westinghouse alumna. Her leadership represents a full-circle moment—an alumna returning to guide the next generation of Bulldogs. The school also works with more than 45 community organizations to connect students with mentoring, workforce development, tutoring, internships, and college preparation.
Rooted in Homewood
Westinghouse High School’s story cannot be separated from the history of Homewood. Located in one of Pittsburgh’s most historically significant African American neighborhoods, “The House” has served as more than an educational institution—it has been a cultural anchor for generations of families throughout the East End.
The school’s influence extends beyond its walls, connecting generations of students from Homewood, East Liberty, East Hills, Larimer, Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar, Highland Park, Point Breeze North, and surrounding communities.
As Pittsburgh has changed over the decades, so has the neighborhood surrounding the school. Yet Westinghouse remains a symbol of resilience: a historic institution continuing to adapt while preserving the traditions and achievements that made “The House” legendary.
“For many residents, Westinghouse represents a shared experience—a place where friendships were formed, talents were discovered, and community pride was built.”
Pittsburgh Urban Media
The House Still Calls
For many schools, graduation marks the end of a chapter. For Westinghouse alumni, it is the beginning of a lifelong connection. Year after year, former Bulldogs continue to return to celebrate the friendships, memories, and traditions that began inside “The House.”
The reunions are more than social gatherings. They are living history. Former students return to reconnect with classmates, share stories, honor teachers, revisit memories, and celebrate the generations of Bulldogs who came before and after them.
“Remember when...”
Many graduates have watched their children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews walk the same halls. They continue to support school activities, celebrate athletic achievements, and share stories that connect today’s students with those who came before them.
The reunions serve as a reminder that Westinghouse is not only an institution of learning. It is a family.
The Friday night football games
The teachers who pushed students to succeed
The sounds of the marching band
The friendships that lasted a lifetime
The neighborhood pride that never faded
Every class has its own chapter
A Legacy That Lives On
Schools are often measured by test scores, graduation rates, or championship banners. Westinghouse’s story is measured differently.
It is measured by the lives it has changed. It is measured by the music that still fills concert halls, the athletes who broke barriers, the educators who inspired generations, and the community leaders who never forgot where they came from.
More than 100 years after opening its doors, Westinghouse continues to stand as one of Pittsburgh’s most important educational and cultural institutions.
The same school that once produced jazz legends and sports pioneers is now preparing a new generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, technicians, artists, and leaders. The names of tomorrow’s Westinghouse legends may already be walking those halls.
Its greatest legacy isn’t found in the past. It’s found in every student who walks through its doors believing that greatness is possible.
Because that’s what generations have learned inside The House.
This feature is the first in a new “Pittsburgh School Legacy Series,” exploring the schools that helped shape Black history in Western Pennsylvania. Future installments will examine Schenley, Fifth Avenue, Peabody, Langley, and other schools whose graduates left lasting marks on their communities and the nation.
Were You a Bulldog? We Want to Hear From You.
Share your Westinghouse memories with Pittsburgh Urban Media. Selected alumni memories may be featured in an upcoming community spotlight celebrating the enduring legacy of “The House.”
What year did you graduate from Westinghouse?
Who was the teacher who changed your life?
What is your favorite football or basketball memory?
Did you play in the band, perform in the arts, or join a club?
What does “The House” mean to you?