At the December 16 School District of Lancaster Board of Directors meeting, we paused to recognize something worth celebrating. Across our district, students are not only meeting expectations, they are exceeding them.
Superintendent Dr. Keith Miles shared that six student groups across four SDoL campuses performed in the top 20% of Pennsylvania test takers, based on the Pennsylvania Value-Added Assessment System. These rankings reflect how student performance compared to what the state predicted they would achieve, making this recognition about growth.
At J. P. McCaskey High School, students earned a top 10 percent ranking on the Keystone Literature exam, placing 50 out of 680 schools statewide. McCaskey students also ranked in the top 20 percent on the Keystone Biology exam, placing 111 out of 689 high schools. These results speak to consistent progress across subject areas and grade levels.
At the elementary level, Wickersham Elementary School students demonstrated similar growth. Fourth graders ranked in the top 20 percent statewide on the PSSA English Language Arts assessment, placing 186 out of 1,502 schools. Fifth graders also earned a top 20 percent finish in mathematics, ranking 197 out of 1,384 schools.
Middle school students showed strong results as well. Eighth graders at Jackson Middle School placed 128 out of 882 schools on the PSSA English Language Arts exam. Wheatland Middle School eighth graders earned a top 20 percent ranking in PSSA math, placing 142 out of 882 schools.
As Dr. Miles shared during the meeting, “We’re proud of our schools, our educators and our students for their growth in these assessments.” District spokesperson Adam Aurand echoed that sentiment, noting that these results show large groups of students performing better than predicted based on prior performance. That kind of data helps the district reflect on curriculum and instructional practices so we can continue improving how we support students.
That same meeting also highlighted another essential part of who we are as a district: care for our community.
Students and staff at Lincoln Middle School, Wickersham Elementary School, and Smith-Wade-El Elementary School were recognized for stepping up to meet real needs beyond the classroom. Wickersham second graders led a schoolwide campaign that filled an entire pickup truck with food and household items for Church World Service Lancaster’s immigration and refugee program. What began as a social studies unit on community needs became a powerful lesson in empathy and action. As second-grade teacher Audra Byerly shared, “The kids were excited and engaged.”
At Lincoln Middle School, students and staff organized a food pantry for members of their school community in just two weeks. At Smith-Wade-El, the opening of the Bear Necessities Closet created a welcoming space where families can access food, clothing, and household items with dignity. As student representative Isak Puljek-Shank explained, families can simply show up and take what they need, no questions asked.
Together, these moments reflect the heart of the School District of Lancaster. Academic growth matters. So does compassion. When students are supported in both their learning and their humanity, they rise, often beyond what anyone predicted.
We are proud of our students, grateful for our educators, and inspired by the ways our schools continue to show what growth truly looks like.