Lancaster ISD is located in Dallas County and serves the city of Lancaster and parts of Hutchins. It officially became a district in 1905, and it currently consists of 11 campuses including seven elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, and two learning centers. As of 2016 the district has a “Met Standard” rating given by the Texas Education Agency. 

Students

There are over 7,600 students educated by Lancaster ISD. The attendance rate for the Class of 2016 was 96%, and the graduation rate was 94%. The average SAT score for the same class was 1,150, and the average ACT score was 17. For the past four years, 93% of students have received a letter of acceptance to a higher education institution or to a branch of the military. Fifty-one percent of students in the Class of 2016 were considered “college and career ready graduates.”  

There are approximately 7,630 students currently enrolled in Lancaster ISD schools. The ethnicity breakdown of students consists of:

•    African American – 76.2% (5,814)
•    American Indian - .5% (41)
•    Asian – .2% (15)
•    Hispanic – 19.8% (1,511)
•    White –  1.9% (147)
•    Two or more races – 1.3% (102)

Teachers

The district employs approximately 426 teachers. The average teaching experience is 9.4 years, and the average teaching experience with the district is 4.5 years. For the 2016 – 2017 school year, the beginning salary for teachers without experience was $51,500. Those who held a master’s earned $52,000, and those who held a doctorate earned $52,500.

There are approximately 426 teachers currently under contract to work at Lancaster ISD schools. The ethnicity breakdown of teachers consists of:

•    African American – 79% (337)
•    Asian – .5% (2)
•    Hispanic – 5.6% (24)
•    White –  13.4% (58)
•    Two or more races – 1.2% (5)

Superintendent

Dr. Michael D. McFarland has served as Lancaster ISD’s superintendent since May 2010. In 1993, he began his career as an algebra teacher then worked as a high school and middle school principal. He has also worked as Champaign Unit 4 Public School’s assistant superintendent of achievement in Champaign, Illinois. He received his bachelor’s in business administration from Baylor University and his master’s in education and superintendent’s certificate from Stephen F. Austin University. He then earned his doctorate degree from Baylor University.  

Dual Language Program

The Bilingual Education Dual Language Program hosted at Lancaster ISD aims for students to develop bilingual skills in the English and Spanish language.  The program is available at certain campuses for grades pre-K – 5th grade. Students will be exposed to both languages in a classroom setting, where they will learn the same subject content as the students that are not enrolled into the program. By the end of the program, students should develop reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension skills in both languages.  

Career and Technology Education Program

The Career and Technology Program at Lancaster ISD was design to assist students in gaining knowledge and skills that will benefit them in higher education and the workforce. Some of the programs available to students include:

•    Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
•    Hospitality and Tourism
•    Information Technology
•    Business Management and Administration
•    Financial Systems
•    Arts, A/V Technology, Communications

International Baccalaureate Program

Lancaster ISD is one of the few districts to host the IB Program. The program transforms students into global thinkers and prepares them for higher education. They are given a well – rounded and rigorous education that covers not only the core subjects but also the arts, languages, global issues and more.  Students will be eligible to attend many universities around the world. They will be prepared for the rigorousness of the college classroom and the discipline it takes to succeed in higher education.  The program is available to students ages 3 to 19.  

The R.I.G.H.T. Way – Customer Service in Lancaster ISD

Lancaster ISD strives to exceed customer’s needs in a responsive and positive manner.

•    Standard 1: Purpose – communicate district vision and standards
•    Standard 2: Community – treat everyone in the community the R.I.G.H.T. Way
•    Standard 3: Quality – establish professional dress and a family friendly environment
•    Standard 4: Equity – provide attention to each customer
•    Standard 5: Courage – make connections personal
•    Standard 6: Growth – provide training and feedback

AVID Program

The AVID Program is another program hosted by Lancaster ISD, where students are introduced to a demanding program that will instill into them research-based strategies for critical thinking, problem solving and more. The goal of the program is to help students achieve academic success and prepare them for higher education.  

To learn more about Lancaster ISD and its programs and opportunities, visit them at www.lancasterisd.org.