Menallen Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 42.8 square miles (110.9 km²), of which 42.7 square miles (110.6 km²) is land and 0.12 square miles (0.3 km²), or 0.29%, is water.[3]

As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 2,974 people, 1,077 households, and 818 families residing in the township. The population density was 69.5 people per square mile (26.8/km²). There were 1,229 housing units at an average density of 28.7/sq mi (11.1/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 93.38% White, 0.91% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.03% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 4.10% from other races, and 1.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.18% of the population.

There were 1,077 households, out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.3% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.0% were non-families. 18.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the township the population was spread out, with 26.2% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 104.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.5 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $41,404, and the median income for a family was $43,615. Males had a median income of $30,786 versus $23,523 for females. The per capita income for the township was $17,415. About 7.3% of families and 8.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.7% of those under age 18 and 15.8% of those age 65 or over.

Map of Adams County, Pennsylvania School Districts

Residents of Menallen Township may attend the local, public schools operated by Upper Adams School District which provides full day kindergarten through 12th grade. By 2013, the District's enrollment had declined to 1,669 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. In 2013, Upper Adams School District ranked 276th out of 498 public schools for academic achievement of its pupils, by the Pittsburgh Business Times.[7]

Residents may also choose between two local public charter schools:Vida Charter School and Gettysburg Montessori Charter School. In Pennsylvania residents may attend public charter schools at no cost to the parents. The tuition is paid by their public school system. By Commonwealth law, if the District provides transportation for its own students, then the District must provide transportation to any charter school or private school that lies within 10 miles of its borders.

Vida Charter School is a public school located in the Eisenhower Center, 120 E. Broadway, Gettysburg. Vida Charter School offers full day kindergarten through 6th grade. In 2013, Vida Charter School achieved a score 81.1 of out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement.[8] According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,181 public schools (less than 73 percent of Pennsylvania public schools), achieved an academic score of 70 or higher. In 2012, Vida Charter School achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status.[9]

They may also attend Gettysburg Montessori Charter School, a full day Kindergarten through 6th grade public, charter school operating at 120 E Broadway, Gettysburg, The School achieved AYP in both 2011 and 2012.[10] In 2013, Gettysburg Montessori Charter School achieved a score of 64 out of 100.[11]

Menallen Township residents may also apply to attend any of the Commonwealth's 14 public cyber charter schools (in 2013) at no additional cost to the parents. The resident’s public school district is required to pay the charter school and cyber charter school tuition for residents who attend these public schools.[12][13] Residents may also seek admission for their school aged child to any other public school district. When accepted for admission, the student's parents are responsible for paying an annual tuition fee set by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. In 2012, the tuition fees for Upper Adams School District were: Elementary School - $9,182.51, High School - $8,949.98.[14]

Menallen Township high school aged students and adults can attend the taxpayer funded Cumberland Perry Area Vocational Technical School for training in the trades and can earn industry certifications. Students attending the school can also earn college credits, while still in high school. Additionally, the school offers a Cooperative Education program where students are placed with an employer in entry-level position to develop job skills while being paid.[15]

Lincoln Intermediate Unit #12 provides a wide variety of services to children living in its region which includes Menallen Township. Early screening, special educations services, speech and hearing therapy and many other services like driver education are available. Services for children during the preschool years are provided without cost to their families when the child is determined to meet eligibility requirements.

Community members have access to the Harbaugh-Thomas Library in Biglerville; the Adams County Historical Society Library which is located on 111 Seminary Ridge, in Gettysburg; the Adams County Law Library located in the Court House, 117 Baltimore St Rm 305 in Gettysburg and to the statewide PA Power Library which is an online library funded with tax dollars from the state's education budget.

At Harrisburg Area Community College Gettysburg Campus, Menallen Township residents have access to college courses at a discounted tuition rate for state residents. Upper Adams School District is not a tax funding district of the College. Residents contribute to the state's community college system through state funding.