Kindergarten Registration is OPEN!

Welcome McCaskey Class of 2038! All children who will be 5 years of age on or before September 1, 2025 and reside in Lancaster City or Lancaster Township are eligible to apply for kindergarten for the 2025-2026 school year. APPLY NOW!

Who We Are

The School District of Lancaster is a recognized leader in urban education in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

SDoL has 12 elementary schools serving students in grades K-5 and one school serving students K-8. In general, these are neighborhood schools with enrollments around 400 to give students an opportunity to build community and positive culture. SDoL has four middle schools serving students in grades 6-8 and one school serving students in K-8. The schools' curricula are based on the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme.

The McCaskey High School Campus comprises two buildings, more than 2,700 students and one of the broadest academic programs in the Commonwealth. Offering the world-renowned International Baccalaureate Diploma, award-winning arts programs, extensive career training and more, McCaskey's vision is to set the standard for excellence in urban education.

Our Students

Our 10,000 students are diverse and global. Six out of seven are students of color. Our students speak more than 50 different native languages, and hundreds are immigrants and refugees from around the world.

We are proud to offer the IB Diploma Programme and Career-related Programme, as well as the Middle Years Programme in grades 6-10. We offer numerous AP classes, dual enrollment in college courses, as well as flourishing career and technology programs. In elementary and middle school, we have innovative curricular and instructional models, award-winning arts programs, and the most comprehensive student support system in the region.

10,075

Student Population

2,159

English Learners

51

Languages Spoken

79

Countries Represented

88.4%

Economically Disadvantaged

18.6 : 1

Average Class Size (K-5)

84.7%

McCaskey Graduation Rate

32

International Baccalaureate/AP Courses Offered

 

Our Demographics

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

61%

Hispanic

16%

Black/African-American

12%

Caucasian

11%

Asian/Other

 

Our Community

We are located in a city filled with American history that celebrates its ethnic, cultural and religious diversity. Our schools benefit immensely from the wide variety of perspectives, backgrounds and cultures represented by our students.

13.5

Square Miles

74,565

Population

24.0186

Millage Rate

 

Our Staff

Our employees enjoy a close-knit community of educators committed to excellence in urban education, a vibrant workplace that celebrates the arts and embraces culturally and academically enriching programs, a school district commitment to professional learning and career development for all employees, a comprehensive benefits package, including healthcare and retirement, and an inclusive community where all members are treated with dignity and respect.

Together, we are on a mission to create a more equitable school system that ensures every child in our community has the opportunity to succeed. Join us!

Job Openings

769

Classroom-based teachers

305

Specialized teachers

467

Support Staff

143

Administrators

8.9

Average Active Tenure

41%

Teachers with 10+ years of experience

 

Our Finances

The school board approved a $279.1 million budget in June of 2023 for the 2023-2024 school year. The vast majority of the district’s expenses support instructional programs and other student services, such as nursing, counseling, and social work.

SDoL has long relied on disproportionately high local property taxes to provide necessary services. That’s historically due to a combination of low state funding and a large number of nontaxable properties.

$279.1m

Expenses

$27,704

Per Pupil Expenditure

59%

Share of Budget Spent on Instruction

$278.7m

Revenues