The Deer Lakes School District is nestled in the heart of the Alle-Kiski Valley in northeastern Allegheny County, approximately 25 miles outside of downtown Pittsburgh. The district covers an area of approximately 41 square miles and is coterminous with the political boundaries of the townships of East Deer, Frazer, and West Deer. Due to its sheer geographic size, the district shares borders with seven other area school districts including Pine-Richland and Hampton to the west, Fox Chapel and Allegheny Valley to the south, Highlands and New Kensington-Arnold (Westmoreland County) to the east, and South Butler County to the north. This region of Allegheny County is characterized by suburban and semi-rural development, both residential and commercial and is still considered the lone remaining rural school district in the county.

Deer Lakes has a current enrollment of approximately 1,950 students housed in four schools including a primary center for students in grades kindergarten through second grade; an intermediate center for students in grades three through five; a middle school for students in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades; and a high school for students in grades nine through twelve. In many ways, Deer Lakes is a community in transition as it blossoms from a rural town north of Pittsburgh into an exurban/suburban community that has maintained its small-town roots with accessibility to modern amenities. From new housing communities to century-old farmhouses, Deer Lakes holds a special appeal for just about everyone fortunate enough to experience it. With more than 14,000 residents, Deer Lakes offers a wide variety of recreational facilities and county parks that offer fishing, crew, picnicking, softball, tennis, and suitable playgrounds. It has also received a superior rating as being a safe place in which to live. The entire Deer Lakes area is noted for its low crime rate.

#1: Deer Lakes School District is a technology-focused school district, which is evidenced by it being one of the first Google Certified school districts in Pennsylvania. As part of Deer Lakes’ one-to-one technology initiative, each Deer Lakes student at all grade levels has his or her own personal learning device. Deer Lakes is also a Common Sense Media school district and a member of the Future Ready collaborative.

#2: In its 2024 ratings of the top schools in the region, the Pittsburgh Business Times ranked Deer Lakes School District No. 42 out of 114 schools. The rating was based on three years of available test scores. Deer Lakes has risen 19 spots in the rankings in recent years.

#3: The performing arts department at Deer Lakes continues to outpace most of its competitors. In addition to claiming two Gene Kelly Awards and being consistently nominated for Prime Stage Drama Awards, the district has also regularly sent students to the prestigious Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) district, regional and state honors festivals. The Deer Lakes High School marching band has taken home the top honors in its classification at the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Marching Band Association Championships (PIMBA) several times, most recently in 2024 with the highest score ever recorded in its classification.

#4: Deer Lakes School District was recognized multiple times in 2024 for its wellness initiatives. Curtisville Elementary was named one of the Healthiest Schools in America for a third consecutive year by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. It is one of the only schools in the country to earn the highest marks possible in every category judged by AHG. Curtisville Wellness teacher Meghan Bright also earned the SHAPE PA Elementary School Physical Education Teacher of the Year award. The Food Services Department earned the Hunger Hero Silver Award, making it one of the few districts recognized by the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

#5: Deer Lakes School District has repeatedly been recognized by AASA Learning 2025 as a Demonstration System to Watch for student-centered, equity-focused, and future-driven education. AASA's vision for Learning 2025 is to achieve national adoption in the next four years for building a new system of leading, teaching, and learning. Learning 2025: Student-Centered, Equity-Focused Education is an AASA initiative that calls for a holistic redesign of the public school system by 2025.