Who we are
Our student population is diverse and global. Some 60 percent of our students are Hispanic, 17 percent are African-American, 13 percent are Caucasian and nearly 10 percent are Asian or other ethnicities.
More than 1,800 students are English Language Learners who speak 38 different native languages. Hundreds of our students are refugees from countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Syria, Poland, Ukraine, Burma, Cuba, India, Kenya, Iran and Iraq.
Our past and our present
The City of Lancaster is one of the oldest inland cities in the United States, first settled in 1709 and chartered as a city in 1818. Today, the city and neighboring Lancaster Township, where our students live, have a combined population of more than 60,000 and are known as a welcoming home for immigrants and refugees from around the world.
Tucked amongst the beautiful, iconic Amish farmland, Lancaster City has become known as a premier destination for its cultural, historical and entertainment attractions and is regularly ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of America’s “Best Places to Live.”
SDoL’s curriculum benefits immensely from the city’s cultural assets. Our teachers draw on the resources, experiences, expertise and assets in the community to enhance their lessons and make learning relevant and exciting.
