South Western School District is a midsized, suburban public school district in York County, Pennsylvania. It serves the townships of Penn Township, Manheim Township and West Manheim Township. It encompasses approximately 56 square miles (150 km2). According to 2000 federal census data, South Western School District serves a resident population of 22,576 people. In 2010, the district's population increased to 26,768 people.[1] By 2023, the district's population is estimated to be about 31,978 people [2]In 2009, South Western School District residents’ per capita income was $20,618, while the median family income was $56,296.[3] In the Commonwealth, the median family income was $49,501 [4] and the United States median family income was $49,445, in 2010.[5]
District schools
Baresville Elementary School
Manheim Elementary School
Park Hills Elementary School
West Manheim Elementary School
Emory H. Markle Middle School
South Western High School
Controversy
In September 2024, the school district made national news after it ordered its schools to install windows in the segregated bathrooms intended for transgender and nonbinary students, so that they could be monitored by those in the hallway. Board President Matthew Gelazela defended the installation, saying that “Our students should not consider the space outside of our stalls as private within the multiuser restrooms”. Such windows were not added to the non-transgender bathrooms.[6][7]
Extracurriculars
South Western School District's students have access to a variety of clubs, activities and an extensive sports program.The District funds:
