Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Mark Roosevelt last night proposed putting his new science and technology school -- billed as a place to "Dream. Discover. Design." -- at the Frick building in Oakland.

He told the school board Education Committee that it would cost about $14 million to convert the building into a sci-tech school for 550 students in grades six through 12.

The building now is home to Pittsburgh Frick 6-8, an international studies school that Mr. Roosevelt has proposed merging into a new International Baccalaureate school elsewhere in the city.

He said converting the Frick building is more affordable than other options for the sci-tech school, which he wants to open in fall 2009. For example, he said it would cost as much as $45 million to build a sci-tech school at the Carnegie Science Center on the North Shore.

"It was more than attractive, and it would be, perhaps, a spectacular way to go," Mr. Roosevelt said of sharing a site with the science center. But, he said, "we cannot afford to do this."

Mr. Roosevelt said the district also considered spending about $10 million to convert the Pittsburgh Westinghouse High School building in Homewood into the sci-tech school, but discounted the idea for various reasons, including an overabundance of space there.

He asked that the board this month authorize the opening of the sci-tech school at the Frick building.

District officials said they're on a tight timetable to finish design plans, market the school, enroll students and assemble a faculty by the scheduled opening. Some teachers likely would have to be recruited from outside the district.

Mr. Roosevelt played down the importance of the school's location and called attention to the three-year planning process and proposed course of study.

The school would be a citywide magnet, with students selected by weighted lottery. While all students could apply, those meeting certain criteria -- high standardized test scores or low socioeconomic status, for example -- would have a better shot at admission.

Project manager Sam Franklin said the school's innovations would include a curriculum called "Dream. Discover. Design." Emphasis would be placed on setting goals, carrying out research and applying knowledge, an approach to keep students interested and prepare them for the workplace.

An "honors diploma" would be awarded to students who take selected courses, like "advanced research methods" and "advanced postsecondary preparation," and complete an "executive experience" in collaboration with a university or community group.

Students would work at their pace, with the possibility of graduating a year earlier than usual. After ninth grade, students would concentrate in the life, computer, environmental or engineering sciences.

"These are challenging disciplines, and they will be challenging in this school," Mr. Franklin said.

The school would open in fall 2009 with 250 students in grades six through nine, and additional grades would be added in later years.

Board members lauded the design team's vision but raised various concerns, including whether the school would drain the district's best students and teachers from other buildings.