LCDS Stats

Who Attends LCDS?

20 percent of LCDS students reside in Berks County. A growing percentage reside in Dauphin County (especially the Hershey, Hummelstown, Middletown areas). Families come from eastern York County and Lebanon County. A majority of students reside in Lancaster County.

Transportation Options?

Buses run to/from Berks County and to/from the Hershey-Hummelstown-Middletown area. Buses are available to/from eastern York County, based on demand.

Transportation is provided by public school districts within a ten mile radius of LCDS. Carpooling is arranged from some areas.

More Fast Facts

  • Coed, college preparatory, non-sectarian
  • About 500 students under one roof
  • Preschool through 12th grade
  • Average class size: fifteen
  • 8:1 Student:Teacher ratio
  • 100 percent acceptance to four-year college or university
  • Full-day kindergarten
  • Inclusive, nurturing environment

Academics

  • 100 percent of LCDS students take the SAT; average score: 1200 (2004 scores).
  • High academic expectations in a supportive environment.
  • Individual attention to all students.
  • Emphasis on extensive reading and writing in a variety of styles.
  • Wide range of teaching methods to stimulate creative and critical thinking skills.

Lower School

  • Skill-based grouping in math and reading.
  • Education of the whole child: art, music and physical education are as important as academics.
  • Spanish begins in Kindergarten.
  • Focus on the social and emotional growth of all students.
  • Instruction is thematic and interdisciplinary.

Middle School

  • Literature-based English instruction and classroom discussion.
  • Integrated teaching of study skills throughout curriculum.
  • Foreign Languages: Spanish and French.
  • Exposure to and encouragement to participate in the fine and performing arts.
  • Strong advisory program which fosters close teacher-student relationships.

Upper School

  • Advanced placement courses in eleven subjects
  • Independent study and independent senior projects for advanced work beyond curriculum.
  • Foreign languages: Spanish, French and Latin.
  • Outstanding college preparation, particularly in reading, writing, testing and discussion skills.
  • International Model United Nations course for seniors. LCDS is one of six schools in the U.S. invited to participate in this program held yearly in The Hague.

Arts

LCDS has an extraordinary arts program with inspired, professional artists in theatre, ceramics, fine arts and music.

Athletics

K–3rd grades have physical education classes four days a week and other grades have three days per week. Interscholastic sports begin in grade 6. With our no-cut policy, all students wishing to play a sport will be included on the team. LCDS is a member of Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletics Association which allows us to compete in district playoff games for several sports. LCDS has a cooperative agreement with the School District of Lancaster in which students attending J.P. McCaskey can play varsity lacrosse for LCDS and LCDS students can try out for McCaskey’s Red Tornado football, swimming, cross country, wrestling and track & field varisty teams.

College Guidance

Comprehensive college guidance program during grades 9 through 12. Designed to find the appropriate college match for each student. Our graduates report that they are exceptionally well prepared for college.

Community Service

LCDS believes students learn through service in their communities. The School has a full-time service learning coordinator who works with students to cultivate various division-wide efforts and school-wide events. One example of our service is the Empty Bowls Dinner—an annual event that is open to the public and whose proceeds are directed to local food banks and community kitchens.

Another example is the School's long-standing relationship with the Lancaster Area Habitiat for Humanity. LCDS is the only school in the region that has sponsored and built a complete house (2002–2004). The home was constructed in the Emerald Valley development in southeast Lancaster city. In 2003–04, LCDS raised and awarded more than $8600 for new equipment in the shelter kitchen of the Crispus Attucks Community Center, Lancaster.

Ninth graders are required to take a Service and Community course and other upper school classes are involved in a variety of other local service projects. Seniors are asked to develop their own service projects and all upper school students may earn an "Outstanding Community Service" designation on their transcripts for individual projects.

Diversity

  • Racial — 12 percent students of color.
  • Geographic — Students from five counties covering thirty-five school districts.
  • Economic — 20 percent of students receive financial aid.

Faculty

52 percent of faculty hold advanced degrees. Many staff members also hold advanced degrees.

LCDS faculty have been recognized nationally and internationally through such programs as the Fulbright-Hays, Klingenstein and Christa McAuliffe Fellowships, as well as “The U.S. Chemistry Olympiad.”

LCDS currently has two fully-endowed faculty chairs that honor outstanding teaching at the School: the Ruth S. Bowers ’38 Faculty Endowed Chair and the Marcia L. Hubbard '53 Faculty Endowed Chair.

Photo of students