The Mars Area School District marked a major infrastructure milestone earlier this month with the groundbreaking of a $21.4 million expansion of Mars Area Elementary School, as students across the district also earned regional recognition and prepared for a busy January calendar.
Current and former members of the Mars Area School Board participated in the groundbreaking ceremony, signaling the start of a project designed to accommodate growing enrollment and improve learning spaces for elementary students districtwide. Construction on the expansion is expected to continue into 2026.
The expansion project was recommended by the District’s Comprehensive Planning Community Action Committee, which met over a five‑month period from October 2023 through February 2024 to identify the District’s long‑term vision and programming needs. The committee formally presented its recommendation to the School Board on March 5, 2024, calling for an extensive expansion of Mars Area Elementary School as part of a broader facilities plan.
Once completed, Mars Area Elementary School is expected to house grades K–3, with plans to move Grade 4 students to Mars Area Centennial School following a future expansion project there. Mars Area Primary Center would be held in reserve for administrative offices, districtwide programs and other yet-to-be-determined uses.
Project Scope and Traffic Impacts
The overall project includes construction of a new three‑story classroom wing, a new cafeteria and kitchen, and expanded STEAM classroom and guidance suite space in the area of the current cafeteria and kitchen. Exterior improvements include a new, separate parent drop‑off and pick‑up area at the front of the school, a widened Little Dipper access road, a reconfigured Doc’s Way access road, a new cross‑site roadway along the southern edge of the campus, and additional parking.
Construction officially got underway Monday, Dec. 15. As work progresses, families can expect changes to traffic patterns and pick-up and drop-off procedures at both Mars Area Elementary School and the neighboring Mars Area Primary Center.
The Little Dipper access road, which connects Mars Area Elementary School to the Primary Center cafeteria entrance and the District Administration Office parking lots, will be closed from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. each school day and will reopen at 3 p.m. for afternoon elementary student pick‑up.
In addition, because construction vehicles will be traveling along and crossing Doc’s Way during the first phase of the project, Mars Area Primary Center parents and guardians are asked not to line up along Doc’s Way before 11:20 a.m. for AM kindergarten pick‑up or before 12:15 p.m. for PM kindergarten drop‑off.
The project had originally been scheduled to begin at the end of the last school year, with initial work planned over the summer months. The start was postponed in May after the School Board rejected construction bids that exceeded projected costs.
Student Achievements
At the elementary level, Mars Area Elementary School students raised $3,786.88 through the school’s annual Door Decorating Contest and PBIS Coin Wars fundraiser. Proceeds will support the school’s Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS) program, which promotes positive behavior and student engagement.
Several Mars Area High School students also earned regional recognition after being selected to participate in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District Chorus Festival, scheduled for Jan. 8–10 at Hickory High School in Hermitage. The festival will conclude with a public performance on Saturday, Jan. 10.
In addition, Mars Area students in grades 3–6 competed in the Academic Games League of America LinguiSHTIK competition on Dec. 17 at Slippery Rock University, with multiple teams finishing among the top in their respective divisions.
Upcoming Events
As students return from winter break, several January events are planned across the district.
The Mars Area Primary Center will host a New Year’s Celebration on Monday, Jan. 5, featuring a Dress to Impress Day, games, and PBIS activities.
The Mars Area Middle School will offer ski trips to Hidden Valley and Seven Springs on Jan. 22, Feb. 5, and Feb. 26. Participation is limited, and a lottery will be used if demand exceeds available spots.
The Middle School Winter Spirit Dance is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 30, from 7 to 9 p.m. and is open to eligible middle school students only.
School Board Meetings and District Information
The Mars Area School Board is scheduled to meet on the following dates in January:
Wednesday, Jan. 7 — Work Session, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 13 — Data Review Meeting, 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 13 — Regular Meeting, 7 p.m.
All meetings are open to the public and streamed live via the district’s YouTube channel.
Yearbooks for Mars Area High School and Middle School remain available for purchase online. Families are encouraged to order early to ensure availability.
The Mars Area High School Class Council is also accepting orders for Class of 2026 yard signs and banners. Orders must be submitted by Feb. 25, with pickup scheduled for mid-March.