McDonald Elementary School is one of three elementary schools in the Centennial School District. It is located at the intersection of Street Road and Reeves Lane in Warminster, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Everett. A. McDonald Comprehensive Elementary School is the namesake of Dr. Everett A. McDonald, the first Superintendent of the Centennial School District. Dr. McDonald was a caring and talented educator, a graduate of Yale University and an innovative leader. In 1964 he was the driving force behind the construction of our unique building. Our school is comprised of four interconnected circular buildings with two rectangular wings. The original design, most of which is still intact today, consisted of a gymnasium/auditorium and cafeteria connected by a stage, classrooms with special features for the physically challenged, a library, a planetarium/special experience room and a swimming pool. The swimming pool is no longer in use, but all other features serve today’s children as they served the children in 1964.
In the program created for McDonald School’s 25th anniversary celebration, Rose Marie Kautz, then President of the Centennial School Board, wrote “the building we are commemorating was a ‘comprehensive elementary school’…it included the districts’ regular education students, gifted students, and physically and mentally challenged students.” It is clear that the physical plant and educational programming were created to support a philosophy that all children can learn, a philosophy we continue to embrace today.
In the spring of 2010, the Centennial Board of School Directors voted to combine Longstreth and McDonald Elementary Schools beginning the 2012-13 school year.
Today McDonald Elementary School houses approximately 900 kindergarten through fifth grade students, including students from the district’s special education programs. We also offer an array of support services for English Language Learners (ELL), gifted students and students needing remedial reading and math. Homework Clubs and before and after school care enable parents to fulfill their responsibilities secure in the knowledge that their children are safe. Our Home and School Association is active and generous in supporting us with the resources we need to continue many excellent traditions.
We are proud of our school, students and staff. We invite you to visit us during American Education Week held in November of each year. If you would like to visit our school at another time, please call for an appointment. We try to minimize interruptions during the school day so that students can concentrate on learning.
Thank you for visiting our webpage. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or the Assistant Principal, Michael VanBuren.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Keely F. Mahan, Principal
mahake@centennialsd.org
Mr. Michael VanBuren, Assistant Principal
