About Us:

The Tuscarora School District covers an area of 201 square miles, stretching north-south from just south of 40 degrees north latitude to the Maryland border and from east of the 78 degree west longitude line to just west of Chambersburg, PA. The District is located within the borders of Franklin County in south-central Pennsylvania and includes the Borough of Mercersburg and Montgomery, Peters, St. Thomas and Warren townships. The District is primarily a rural agricultural area with a total population of approximately 17,000 people. The District consists of four K-5 elementary schools (Saint Thomas, Mountain View, Mercersburg, Montgomery), one grade 6-8 middle school (James Buchanan MS) and one grade 9-12 high school (James Buchanan HS).  Tuscarora, the name of the mountain on the western boundary, is derived from the Tuscarora Tribe of the Iroquois Confederation.  The Tribe came north from the Carolinas about 1713 and settled for a time along the mountains. The name Tuscarora comes from the Indian name Skaruron or hemp gatherers. Conococheague, the name of the creek that flows through the District on its way from the Path Valley south to the Potomac River, is an Indian name from the Delaware Tribe meaning clear water.

Our Mission :

It is the mission of the Tuscarora School District, in cooperation with families and communities, to provide an education that challenges all students to achieve their full potential. As a result, students will become increasingly productive contributors in society. The District is committed to providing quality schools that provide instruction throughout the curriculum so that each student may achieve the following academic goals:

Communications. Each student shall become proficient in reading, composition, listening, speech, understanding, interpreting, analyzing and synthesizing information.

Mathematics.Each student shall become proficient in the use of the varied mathematical processes and applications to solve challenging understanding information.

Science & Technology. Each student shall become proficient in applying the processes of analysis, synthesis and evaluation to the solution of challenging scientific problems and in the application and understanding of technology in society.

Environment & Ecology. Each student shall understand the environment and the student’s relationship with the environment in order to recognize the importance of the quality of life in a healthy and balanced environment.

Citizenship. Each student shall understand local, state, and United States history, geography, systems of government and economics and their relationship to the history, geography, systems of government and economies of other countries in the world and shall acquire and have opportunities to practice in the school and in the community, the skills necessary for active participation in civic life.

Arts & Humanities. Each student shall understand and appreciate the breadth of human accomplishment through the arts and humanities and shall have opportunities to practice creativity of thought and action and to demonstrate talent in the arts.

Career Education & Work. Each student shall explore varied career options and develop the skills and work habits needed to be a productive, contributing member of society. The student shall understand that lifelong learning is necessary to maintain these behaviors, skills and attitudes.

Wellness & Fitness. Each student shall acquire and use the knowledge and skills necessary to promote individual and family health and wellness. Life Management. Each student shall understand and apply principles of money management, consumer behavior and child health to provide for personal and family needs.