Back To School FAQs

The first day of school for the 2025-2026 school year will be Monday, August 25, 2025.

Start Times:

• Pre-Kindergarten: 8:15 AM - 11:00 AM
• Elementary: 7:45 AM - 2:10 PM
• Middle School: 7:45 AM - 2:45 PM
• High School: 7:50 AM - 2:58 PM

Early Dismissal Times:

• Pre-Kindergarten: 8:15 AM - 10:30 AM
• Elementary: 7:45 AM - 11:10 AM
• Middle School: 7:45 AM - 11:45 AM
• High School: 7:50 AM - 11:58 AM

2 Hour Delay Start Times:

• Pre-Kindergarten: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• Elementary: 9:45 AM - 2:10 PM
• Middle School: 9:45 AM - 2:45 PM
• High School: 9:50 AM - 2:58 PM

To see a full list of important dates, please visit our online calendar.

• August 7       MS Building Tours 1:00-3:00 PM
• August 13     Kindergarten Meet & Greet, Baron Elementary – Session I (10 AM-12 PM); Session 2 (12PM-2 PM)
• August 14     Kindergarten Meet & Greet, Doe Run Elem. – Session 1 (10 AM-12 PM); Session 2 (12PM-2PM)
• August 14     5^th Grade Orientation, MS, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• August 19     CTC Orientation
• August 20     CTC First Day of School
• August 20     Back to School Night (MS 5-8 Grade Parents, 6-8 PM)
• August 21     Baron Pride Night, Rettew Stadium, 7:00-8:30 PM
• August 21     Open House (All School Buildings) 1:00 – 3:00 PM
• August 21     New Student Meet & Greet (HS) 6:00 PM
• August 25     MCSD First Day of School

• Sept. 11        Back to School Night (All Elementary 6-8 PM)

To enroll your child in Manheim Central, please visit our Registration page on our website to find the links to our Online Registration Gateway as well as a list of required documents. You will need to provide proof of residency, proof of the child's age, immunization records and a valid photo ID.

Please note-If registering after the school year has already started, please allow for a minimum of five (5) business days before a student's first day of school.

Questions regarding Registration can be directed to the Manheim Central District Office at 717-664-8520 or via email at registration@manheimcentral.org.

To enroll in Kindergarten, all children must be five years old on or before August 31st of the school year. To enroll your child in Manheim Central, please visit our Registration page on our website to find the links to our Online Registration Gateway as well as a list of required documents. You will need to provide proof of residency, proof of the child's age, immunization records and a valid photo ID. Kindergarten Registration Days are held in March of each year. Official dates will be posted to our website as well as social media. All children must be present for a brief screening and pre-registration for appointments is required.

To enroll in Pre-K, all children must be four years old on or before August 31st of the school year. To enroll your child in Manheim Central, please visit our Registration page on our website to find the links to our Online Registration Gateway as well as a list of required documents. You will need to provide proof of residency, proof of the child's age, immunization records and a valid photo ID. Pre-K Registration Day is held in May of each year. Official dates will be posted to our website as well as social media. All children must be present for a brief screening and pre-registration for appointments is required. Due to limited class size, enrollment is based on child-readiness and a first-come, first-serve basis. Once classes are full, children will be placed on a waiting list.

You will receive an email from your child's school with a list and links to the forms to be completed. They can also be accessed by logging into PowerSchool SIS. All forms will need to be completed by September 5, 2025.

Below are links to frequently requested forms:

• Medical/Dental
• Change of Address 
• Athletic Forms
• Living with Legal Resident Form

Bus Schedules will be available through PowerSchool SIS and Schoology as of August 15, 2025 and will also be emailed to you directly. If you need to change your child's bus stop, please click here for our Alternate Transportation Request.

How Do I Update My Child's Bus If I've Moved?

For information and forms to update your address, please click here to visit our website. Please note that it can take anywhere from 3-5 business days for changes to be reflected in the system. Until the change is processed and a new bus route is assigned, families will be responsible for providing transportation to and from school.

To avoid delays, please contact the school office as soon as possible to update your address.

Elementary:  Schedules and Teacher lists will be emailed to parents as of August 11, 2025.

Middle School and High School:  Schedules and Teacher lists will be available through PowerSchool SIS and Schoology as of August 11, 2025. You will receive an email from your child's school with login information and further instructions. If you have any problems logging into either system, please contact your school office. If you do not have access to the internet, every school building has laptops available to update your learner’s information. We will also have laptops available at Back to School Night.

All of Manheim Central's schools operate on the Primero Edge Point of Sale system. In addition to cash or check, MCSD also offers parents an online option with SchoolCafe using debit or credit cards. SchoolCafe provides an all-encompassing way for families to view learner purchases, replenish account balances, set up automatic payments, and receive low balance notifications. Menus can be found here on our website: School Menu

Below are the prices for the 2025-2026 school year:

Free & Reduced Meals

If purchasing lunch presents a financial hardship for your family, Free and Reduced meals are available (this benefit is determined by your family's income level). Need to apply? Visit SchoolCafe's site for more details or contact Manheim Central Food Services at 717-664-8426. 

All students in Grades K-4 are issued an iPad for educational use, with our program focused on creativity, online safety & etiquette, and introductory technology concepts. Students in Grades 5-12 are issued a Windows-based Laptop, to accommodate more rigorous academic requirements, as well as empower them to pursue their passions outside of school with software focused on Engineering, Art, and more.

Parents and/or guardians do not have to pay a fee for their student’s technology use, however; damage to technology by the student, willfully or accidentally, shall incur a fee which is listed in the replacement cost table, readily found in the program handbook.

The Manheim Central School District participates in interscholastic athletics organized under the auspices of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA). You may contact our Athletic Director at Manheim Central High School at (717) 664-4103 for more information.

Manheim Central competes in the Lancaster-Lebanon League in a variety of sports for both male and female student-athletes. For a list of all the sports that Manheim Central offers, please click here.

Looking for sports physical forms? Click here for a complete list of requirements!

Elementary School: All regular school supplies are provided by the District. Parents will need to provide a backpack, lunchbox, and water bottle for their child (please make sure all are labeled with the child's name).

Middle School: All regular school supplies are provided by the District. Parents will need to provide the following:

• A pair of headphones (the District does have extras available if needed).
• Backpack, lunchbox and water bottle (please make sure all are labeled with the child's name).

High School: 

• Regular school supplies. Teachers will notify students of any specific needs.
• Backpack, lunchbox and water bottle (please make sure all are labeled with the child's name).

All Schools: Gym Uniform

Learners MUST wear a standard uniform consisting of:  

• Maroon or black gym shorts  (No short running, cheering, or compression shorts)
• Athletic leggings are permitted   
• T-Shirt (see options below)
• Athletic socks 
• Sneakers (No boots, Crocs or slip-on shoes of any type)

Major announcements will be communicated through the BlackBoard Connect system as well as on our website and social media.  As such, reminders about school events such as grading periods and parent-teacher conferences will be sent through an email. Please be sure your contact information is current in the parent portal. Follow us on social media for regular updates!

“A work permit is PA is for minors who wish to be employed and is required by employers. Once issued, it is the minor’s responsibility to keep the permit in a secure area.” 

Please note that students must be 14 years or older to apply. All information can be found here on our website: Work Permits

*If you cannot complete this process electronically, please email hsstudentservices@manheimcentral.org or call 717-664-8411 and leave a detailed voicemail stating your name, phone number, and purpose of the request.

Please note that due to student allergies and safety concerns, we do not allow ANY outside food to be sent in to be shared with classmates. This includes birthday treats or snacks for the whole class. 

Manheim Central School District values unique contributions made by parents and community volunteers to the educational programs of the school district. In an effort to ensure the safety of our students, the District has established a volunteer policy that requires certain documentation for all its volunteers. All volunteers must have a Child Abuse Clearance, PA Criminal Clearance, and FBI clearance (if applicable).

Information on obtaining clearances can be found here on our website: Volunteer Info

All clearances must be submitted through our online portal here: Online Volunteer Portal