Together we can
Window to the world

Our richly diverse community

The School District of Lancaster is located in a city steeped in American history and flourishing as a kaleidoscope of ethnic, cultural and religious diversity. Our schools benefit immensely from the wide variety of perspectives, backgrounds and cultures represented by our students. 

We embrace equity, inclusion and global mindedness in our mission to prepare students for life in an interconnected world.

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.