ABOUT US (Printable Information Packet)
The school district provides complete educational services to over 6,300 students in preschool through 12th grade. While the district’s high school is nationally recognized, schools at all levels in the district have been recognized by state agencies. Students are educated in a technology-rich environment at all grades, with all students in grades 3 – 12 issued a Chromebook, supporting 21st century learning skills. The financial health of the district is strong, having received numerous state awards for school finance and leading the county in percentage of funds spent toward classroom instruction. Community support for the district is strong, with no less than 35 community partners providing enrichment to our students within the schools.
The preschool serves both disabled and non-disabled students in an inclusive classroom setting. The district has been awarded multiple state enrollment expansion grants to increase preschool services to additional children. The district partners with Fairfield County Head Start to provide quality preschool education to more children in the district. Two of our former elementary school buildings, Sanderson and Tarhe, have been repurposed to house our preschool partnership.
In January 2017, the district’s elementary construction project was completed, and all kindergarten through 5th grade students are now educated in five state-of-the-art elementary buildings. Our elementary programs include all-day, every day kindergarten; music; visual arts; computer literacy; and physical education. Gifted students are served in separate classes all day, every day in grades three through five. Individual attention for students is augmented through the use of trained educational assistants working with classroom teachers. The district employs a social worker for each school to meet the needs of students and their families. A full spectrum of special education services is provided, with students being served in regular classrooms or specialized rooms, based on students’ needs. All schools offer extended-day programs through the school in conjunction with the After School Programs of Lancaster. The district provides a unique summer school program for students, in which parents are required to attend sessions with teachers and a professor from Ohio University.
Grades six through eight are educated in the district’s two Junior High schools. Both schools offer honors-level classes for gifted and advanced students as well as academic support classes and tutoring for students in need of intervention. The schools provide education in computer literacy, robotics, vocal music, instrumental music, art, world languages, Spanish, and physical education along with a full range of athletic programs. Special education students are served in regular classrooms that are co-taught by a regular education teacher and a special education teacher, or in specialized rooms based on students’ needs. Construction will begin this school year on two new junior high schools being built to replace our current schools. The Junior High construction project is being financed out of general funds and are scheduled to open in August 2020.
All high school students are educated at the district’s comprehensive high school located on two campuses. Lancaster High School offers 13 Advanced Placement courses and honors-level courses for grades 9 and 10. LHS offers six college credit courses and numerous students take courses for college and high school credit at Ohio University-Lancaster, located adjacent to the high school. Academic support classes and tutoring programs are provided for students in need of additional support. A full spectrum of special education services is provided, with students being served in regular classrooms co-taught by a regular education teacher and special education teacher, or in specialized rooms based on students’ needs.
Lancaster High School provides a rich array of educational options for students. LHS offers two STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programs, 12 Career and Technical education programs, and elective courses in all academic subject areas. A full range of programs in vocal music, instrumental music, visual arts, performing arts, foreign language, and athletics is provided as classes and/or extra-curricular activities. Alternative educational options are provided for students through the school’s online academy or through the career-based intervention program.
The Lancaster City School district has had numerous schools recognized for excellence in education over the past 10 years. Our preschool is rated five stars, the highest possible rating by the Ohio Department of Education and Job and Family Services. The Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators has recognized three of our elementary schools as Hall of Fame Schools. Two elementary schools, one junior high school, and Lancaster High School have all been recognized as Schools of Promise by the Ohio Department of Education. In addition to being recognized by the state as an excellent school, Lancaster High School is a nationally recognized high school, having been awarded a Bronze Rating by the US News and World Report.