Education
Tayamentasachta    Private Schools    Higher Education

Public Education

The Greencastle-Antrim School District is located in the picturesque Cumberland Valley of south-central Pennsylvania. The district borders the Maryland state line and is bisected by Interstate 81. It lies south of Chambersburg, the county seat of Franklin County.

The school district covers 172 square miles and includes the Greencastle Borough and Antrim Township. Transportation is provided for more than 90 percent of the more than 2,600 students enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade.

All of the school district's buildings are situated on a 120-acre campus bordered by Ridge Avenue and Leitersburg Street. The primary school, dedicated in 1994, houses kindergarten and grades one and two. The elementary school was built in 1981 and serves grades three, four and five. The middle school, comprised of grades six, seven and eight was dedicated in 1967. The high school, built in 1960 and renovated in 1994, includes grades nine through 12. Tayamentasachta. the school district's environmental center, is also part of the Greencastle-Antrim school complex.

More information is available at the school dis­trict's website: www.greencastle.k12.pa.us.

High School

Greencastle-Antrim High School offers a balanced program designed to meet the needs of all students and has an enrollment of almost 900 students.

The high school prides itself in being able to offer a high-quality, personalized education in the areas of college preparatory, business education, technology education and the more specialized, vocational-technical skill areas.

G-AHS is a participating member of the Franklin County Career and Technology Center, a school that offers approximately 25 different vocational fields. In addition the district offers vocational and work experience programs in a variety of individualized formats. Students with an interest in the business, medical or legal fields may take classes at Hagerstown Business College.

The high school offers an "intensive" schedule where courses are scheduled in semester blocks, and students focus on fewer courses in each semester. This allows more flexibility for the student to develop his or her career path to its fullest potential by enabling each high school student to schedule at least six major subjects per year.

A wide variety of courses are available, ranging from skill development courses to advanced placement college level courses. Parents and school counselors team with each student to develop a plan

for a career path that serves as a basis for their course selection and sequence through their high school years. More than 70 percent of the seniors pursue higher education after graduation.

Middle School

Greencastle-Antrim Middle School's programs are designed for student success relative to each student's abilities. Concern is expressed for the students at this transitional level as they experience physical, social, emotional and intellectual changes in their lives.

Students belong to a grade level team, which consists of their language arts, mathematics, science and social studies teachers. They will also be part of a school wide team consisting of all special area teachers. These include family and consumer sciences, technology education, art, music (vocal and instrumental), geography, physical education, health, computer and library instruction. Team teachers often select a common theme for their courses. For example, when students study a certain time period in history, they may read a book from that era in their English class.

G-AMS encourages student involvement in its varied extracurricular activities. In addition to band and choir which are offered for all three grades as academic subjects, students may participate in show choir, jazz and rock ensemble, and the marching band front. Students are required to join a club of their choosing. Other extracurricular opportunities exist with student council, assembly programs, school publications, library and the educational materials center. Student council hosts a varied program of activities throughout the school year. Intramural and interscholastic athletics are also available.

The middle school has developed a "modified block" schedule. This schedule better prepares the students for entry into the high school.

Elementary and Primary Schools

There are two schools for younger students located on the district campus:

the primary school (kindergarten and first and second grades)

and the elementary school (third, fourth and fifth grades).

Elementary classrooms are grouped by mixed ability in all grades. A great deal of emphasis is placed on math, reading and writing. Varied methods of teaching reading are used to best meet the different needs of all children. Students experiencing difficulty in reading may receive services from reading specialists, reading aides and specialized remedial computer programs.

Students study communication, mathematics, social studies, science and health. In addition, students have instruction in art, music, physical education, library, and computers. Students in fifth grade may elect to participate in band and/or chorus. Instrumental music lessons are provided in the fifth grade.

Tayamentasachta was established in 1966 and its name is a Native American word meaning "never ending waters or spring."

The Tayamentasachta Environmental Center provides college students with practical and internship experiences in environmental education. The farmhouse-visitor center contains displays, exhibits, a library and information on environmental issues and local history.

The primary goal of the center is to educate the students of the Greencastle-Antrim School District in various aspects of ecological responsibility through environmental education and interpretive programming.

The grounds are open to the public from dawn to dusk seven days a week for hiking and other nature related activities. Special community programs and workshops are scheduled throughout the year.  Teacher workshops and school group programs at all age levels may be arranged. Scouting, church, civic and private groups may also schedule special programs. Reservations must be made in advance.

Private Schools

Cumberland Valley Christian School in Chambersburg is accredited by Middle States as well as the Association of Christian Schools International. Christian values are incorporated in all classes.

The Open Door Church is the parent church, but the school serves children from 85 congregations in the Cumberland Valley. Telephone: (717) 264-3266.

Mercersburg Academy is a private college preparatory school with state-of-the-art facilities on 350 acres.  Students may participate in a variety of extracurricular activities, including sports, intramurals and clubs. Telephone: (717) 328-2151.

Montessori School of Chambersburg's approach to teaching is highly individualized. Each student progresses at his or her own speed. The school hopes to foster a love of learning through self-esteem development of inner discipline, and spontaneous development of cooperation through work with peers and adults through respect for oneself and others. Telephone: (717) 261-0335.

Corpus Christi Catholic School in Chambersburg provides education for children in kindergarten through eighth grade. Telephone: (717) 263­5036.

Shalom Christian Academy, near Marion, is a parent-run school. An association elects board members who serve as the governing body. The school is planning to expand and recently made a number of computer upgrades and refurbished the gymnasium with a new floor and lighting system.

Shalom Christian Academy, located off Rt.11 North approx. 10 minutes from Greencastle, offers a Christian education to students ages 3 - 18.  The school is accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International and Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.  It serves students from 80 congregations. Telephone: (717) 375-2223.

St. Andrew School is a private Catholic school in Waynesboro for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. St. Andrew School is now completely online. Telephone: (717) 762-3221.

St. Maria Goretti in Hagerstown, Md., is the only secondary Catholic school in the area. Students pray at the beginning of the day, at lunch and at the end of the day. The school provides a safe Christian environment for its students and promotes taking care of soul, mind and body. Telephone: (301) 739-4266.

Higher Education

The Penn State system includes 23 campuses and Penn State Mont Alto is located on 91 acres along Route 233.

Penn State Mont Alto provides bachelor's degrees in human development, family studies, nursing, business administration, and occupational therapy and English. Associate's degrees are offered in physical therapist assistant, nursing, occupational therapy, business administration, information sciences and technology, forest technology, letters, arts and sciences and human development and family studies. In addition, some students transfer to the University Park campus after two years.

The Penn State Mont Alto Chambersburg Center in the Chambersburg Mall provides credit, noncredit and on-site management development courses. Telephone: (717) 749-6000.

Shippensburg University is part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education which governs 14 state-owned universities.

The university offers more than 75 undergraduate majors and concentrations in the College of Arts and Sciences, John L. Grove College of Business and the College of Education and Human Services. There also is a division of undeclared majors, as well as 25 programs in graduate studies. Telephone: (717) 477-7447.

Wilson College is an independent college founded in 1869.

The residential College for Women awards baccalaureate degrees to women in 22 majors and 23 areas of concentration, while the College for Continuing Education offers associate's and bachelor's degrees and post-baccalaureate teaching certification to both women and men. Telephone: (717) 264-4141.

Hagerstown Community College is a two year public community college offering both transfer and career-oriented programs, as well as continuing education courses.

The college offers 60 programs of study, including graphic arts, engineering technologies, nursing and allied health, and computer technology.

The college has several programs to address the unique needs of different populations, including the Job Training Institute for the unemployed, under-employed, and single or teen parents. Telephone: (301) 790-2800.

Hagerstown Business College, a two-year junior college, offers a variety of programs including legal, medical, business and computer technology.

The college has constructed a career technology center that features computer labs and studios for its information technology and graphic design programs. Telephone: (301) 739-3700.

Mount St. Mary's College in Emmitsburg is America's oldest independent Catholic college.

The college is known for providing its students with a broad exposure to the humanities and sciences in 40 majors, minors, concentrations and special programs. The college also offers a college honors program, study abroad programs and NCAA Division I sports. Telephone: (301) 447­6122.