WEST CHESTER AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT serves a 75-square-mile suburban, urban and rural area in central Chester County known for its diversified industries and beautiful historic countryside. West Chester Borough, the county seat, is the hub of the district. The surrounding townships of East Bradford, East Goshen, West Goshen, West Whiteland, Westtown, and Thornbury (all in Chester County) are part of the district, as is Thornbury Township in adjacent Delaware County. A $253.4 MILLION BUDGET for the 2018-19 school year supports instruction for close to 12,000 students in 10 elementary schools (kindergarten through grade 5), three middle schools (grades 6 through 8), and three high schools (grades 9 through 12). The district also provides services to nearly 4,000 non-public school students.THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF, headed by Superintendent Dr. James R. Scanlon, numbers nearly 1,000. Seventy percent hold a master's degree or higher. An administrative staff works in each school and at the District's Central Office. OUR DIVERSE STUDENT BODY has an ethnic distribution of 76.6% Caucasian, 9.1% Asian, 6.9% Hispanic, 4.5% African-American, and 2.9% Multiracial. Class size averages 25 students.SPECIAL EDUCATION programs are provided for all exceptionalities through district-run classes, private entities, and the Chester County Intermediate Unit.FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN is a dynamic, hands-on program that allows children time to play – in both directed and non-directed ways – as a critical part of their school day. We believe that play-based learning forms the foundation for future academic success by helping our youngest students develop language skills, social and emotional skills, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work effectively in groups.PARTNERS IN EDUCATION PROGRAM links parents, private individuals, civic organizations and businesses with all grade levels. The district also enjoys a partnership with West Chester University.