A historic city school building will once again be home to teaching.

But instead of mathematics and grammar, Specialty Outreach Services aims to teach both children and parents lessons to improve their lives at the former Institute Hill School on First Street.

The organization, best known for its partnership with the Cub’s Hall Boxing program, bought the 114-year-old building on Thursday.

“We finally have a building,” said Brenda Alter, executive director of the organization. “I’m too excited.”

Butler Physical Therapy previously occupied the building until the company was purchased by UPMC earlier this summer. The rehab center moved to a new site in Pullman Square earlier this month.

The move opened the door for Specialty Outreach Services, which was already looking for a larger space than it had at Cub’s Hall on South McKean Street.

The organization started out in 1985 as the Boxing Outreach Program, but later changed its name to Specialty Outreach Services to encompass the variety of services offered by the organization.

Those services range from assisting students who have gotten in trouble at school or with law enforcement, to counseling parents going through difficult divorces.

“We serve a wide range of clients from different backgrounds,” Alter said.

The organization has operated out of the second floor of Cub’s Hall, but Alter said it outgrew the space as it has continued to grow.

“It’s bitter-sweet to move, but we needed the space,” she said.

While the group is now physically separated from the boxing program, Alter said its partnership has not weakened.

“We’re still very much involved with the boxing program,” she said.

Don Spinetti, director of the boxing program, said the move was needed.

“I think it’s great,” he said. “It’s going to serve their purpose a whole lot better. I hate to see them go, but it was necessary.”

Alter said she has multiple plans for the three-story building.

“There are so many things I want to do,” she said, calling the structure perfect for the organization.

UPMC donated gym equipment to the organization that will allow children and teens an after school workout.

The group also received a new television that will help students stay up to date on current events.

“Every day we want them to watch the news and write a short article about what they saw, good or bad,” Alter said.

She expects to have cooking lessons in a kitchen in the building, as well as a variety of other life skills.

Alter said the program offers homework assistance.

“We’ve seen a huge increase in grades for the kids who come here,” she said.

Alter said she someday hopes to have a living program with rooms available for children in need to stay if needed.

She said she would like for each room to be decorated with themes from different countries.

“I want to show them that there’s a whole world out there,” she said.

The organization targets those ages 10 to 21, but also assists new parents.

“We help parents find apartments, manage bills and feed their children,” she said. “We teach them how to be parents.”

It also offers support services for families going through difficult divorces.

“We want to make sure the children are safe,” she said, adding they work closely with Butler County Children and Youth Services.

The program serves more than 50 clients and has 15 employees.

Alter said they will open at the new site on Monday.