Career Connections Charter School, which is in its eighth year of operating a high school in Lawrenceville, plans to open a new middle school Thursday, even as the city school district fights its plans.

Under state law, a charter school requires a charter from the local school district. Pittsburgh has not signed a charter for this school, even though Career Connections won its case before the state Charter School Appeal Board on Aug. 16.

As of Thursday, a total of 52 pupils had signed up for grades 6 and 7. School officials hope to attract more by the opening. The charter application called for up to 100 at each grade. Grade 8 will be added in another year.

"On the first day of sign-ups, they were lined up outside the steps onto Butler Street," said Terri Henderson, CEO of Career Connections.

City school Solicitor Ira Weiss said the district has asked the Charter School Appeal Board to stay its decision and reconsider the case. Mr. Weiss believes the district did not get a fair hearing before the board in June. No decision has been made.

Career Connections is operated by the Boys & Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania.

The city school board initially denied its application for a middle school. The school then submitted a revision, which the board did not vote on. That led to the appeal to the state.

The school plans to offer a career-oriented program combined with a middle level academic program developed at The Johns Hopkins University.

The planned location for the school is 141 41st St., Lawrenceville, known as the Catalyst Building. While it was a school before it became offices, it is zoned as an office building.

Career Connections has a zoning hearing on Sept. 21 on its request for an occupancy permit for a school.

Meanwhile, the middle school program will be in a separate area of the same Lawrenceville building as the high school but with different start and dismissal times.

The school has been in the planning for more than a year, and officials did job interviews months before the charter was granted. Some of the staff are moving from the high school.

In addition to the Johns Hopkins curriculum, Dr. Henderson said the Boys & Girls Club curriculum -- which includes healthy living, goals setting and other social development topics -- will be included.

An entrepreneurial program will be offered, pupils will be able to explore a wide variety of careers, and mentoring and service will be part of the program. Desktop computers will be available for all.

She said the high school, which has more than 300 students, has more than 80 business partnerships. The high school is located on Butler Street, about three blocks from the planned middle school location.

Tim McElhone, vice president of the Boys & Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania, said the program will offer students a chance to develop and learn what their interest.

He said any delay could "end up hurting kids."