Inside the Propel McKeesport charter school on Monday, the 280 pupils in kindergarten through grade six were busy with class work. But if they peeked out the windows, they saw a group of dignitaries who gathered near the front steps to celebrate the $4.4 million renovation of the school.

A ceremonial ribbon-cutting was held at the school, which was transformed from a closed Catholic school, the former St. Mary Czestochowa, into a newly renovated and newly constructed building with laptops and Smartboards and Wi-Fi throughout the building.

Classes started at the school on Aug. 20, but the official celebration was held off until this week. At the event were school administrators, local political leaders, parents and people from St. Mary parish, including pastor the Rev. Edward S. Litavec.

McKeesport Mayor Jim Brewster welcomed the Propel school with open arms, though he acknowledged that controversy surrounded the school's initial request for a charter, when it was opposed by the McKeesport Area School District.

"You are now part of the city family and can call on us for services," Mr. Brewster said as he thanked Propel for choosing McKeesport as a site for a new school. He said he hoped the school would give direction to young people in the community.

The mayor said he also hoped the school would draw young families to move to the city.

Propel purchased the former St. Mary School, which later became McKeesport Central Catholic, and convent for $425,000. The convent was demolished to make way for a 14,500-square-foot addition to the 24,000-square-foot school; the existing school building was renovated.

The whole structure houses 20 classrooms. The school also has a multipurpose room in the basement that holds a kitchen area and small stage. It is also the church's social hall.

During the school day, it will serve as the cafeteria, gym and auditorium. But the church, located across the street, will still use it for functions at times when school is not in session, said Bob Crytzer, Propel's manager of external relations.

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony and speeches, guests were taken on tours of the new school by faculty members and pupils. They visited an art class where pupils were decorating ceramic tiles to represent the school community and a music class where pupils were listening to "Carnival of the Animals" by French composer Camille Saint-Saens as they drew pictures of the various animals featured in the music.

Propel McKeesport opened two years ago and operated in space it rented from St. Nicholas Byzantine Church. Last year, the school served pupils in kindergarten through grade four. This year, grades five and six were added; grades seven and eight will come later.

Carol Wooten, Propel' chief academic officer, said the curriculum at the school is "cutting-edge curriculum based on best practices." She said the school has "some of the highest test scores throughout the county" and that it plans to develop an after-school program.

Propel also operates elementary programs in Homestead, Turtle Creek and Kennedy and has a total of 1,250 elementary pupils.

In addition, Jeremy Resnick, Propel's founder and executive director, announced Monday that Propel plans to open its first high school in the fall at the site of the former St. Michael school in Munhall.

The school is expected to open with 100 students in grades nine and 10. The upper grades will be added in subsequent years.