Education - Education And Child Care
Our city’s commitment to education shows up in one of the first questions parents ask when shopping for a home: “How are the schools around here?” The answer, particularly in our suburban areas, is “excellent.” Here in the heartland, Junior isn’t the only one bringing home a bright-red A on his report card; many of the institutions in our 36 school districts have achieved the highest distinctions awarded by their states.
That’s not to say they all make the grade. Our largest district, Kansas City, Missouri, with 32,000 students in 70 schools, is plagued by the same problems most other urban cities have: poor attendance, below-average test scores, and low graduation rates. And these troubles remain despite spending $2 billion to create impressive magnet schools with themes like science, foreign languages, performing arts, and college preparation.
Yet families with inner-city addresses still have excellent options such as Montessori, private schools (both religious and nonreligious), and 20 charter schools, which are independent public schools designed and operated by educators, parents, community leaders, and others.
These institutions, along with our top-notch suburban public schools, have elevated our overall educational rankings to some of the highest in the nation. Banners boasting A-plus rankings are posted next to glass cases crowded with 3-foot-tall basketball trophies. Elementary schools proudly show off Blue Ribbon certificates at parent-teacher meetings. And quality schools help produce students who are eager to continue their education: Greater Kansas City’s 82 percent high school graduation rate beats the national average by at least seven points. In three Johnson County districts, more than 90 percent of the graduates are college bound.
We take a look at some of the elementary and secondary education choices available, both public and private, as well as list resources for day care programs within the metroplex. In the following section we graduate to our many fine colleges and universities as well as other learning options for adults and seniors.
1. Blue Springs
City: Kansas City, MO
Category: Education
Description: Jackson County’s second largest district has two high schools, four middle schools, and 12 elementary schools; yet despite escalating enrollment, it has garnered state and national recognition. Thanks to a $30 million bond election, which received an 85 percent approval, a districtwide technology program will make computers accessible to each staff member and student. Expansion Management magazine consistently bestows its highest Gold Medal award on the district, and the Wall Street Journal named it one of the top 10 in the nation.
2. Grandview
City: Kansas City, MO
Category: Education
Description: Students who live in south Kansas City don’t have a problem finding their lockers; they go to one school from kindergarten through eighth grade. And the kids aren’t the only ones singing this one-school system’s praises: The state named it one of the best small schools in language arts and science. The district’s high schools also receive high marks from the state in journalism, art, music, and business, and 75 percent of its students participate in extracurricular activities.
3. Independence
City: Kansas City, MO
Category: Education
Description: For a district that’s more than 135 years old, Independence looks remarkably fit. It has been accredited with distinction by the Missouri Department of Education, making it the largest district in the state to be so honored. Two of its high schools have received A-plus ratings, and three elementary schools are national Blue Ribbon winners. Its 21st-century early childhood education program is a model for the nation.
4. North Kansas City
City: Kansas City, MO
Category: Education
Description: Parents, businesses, and community members work together in this district through projects such as YouthFriends, Partners in Education, the Community Committee, and educational foundations. The results are schools that consistently earn A-plus rankings and students who score above state and national averages. The district also features the GED Online series, a pilot program for the state, as well as all-day kindergarten, summer enrichment classes, and before- and after-school child care. High school graduates who meet academic requirements are eligible to receive free books, tuition, and fees for two years at a community college or vocational school in Missouri.
5. Park Hill
City: Kansas City, MO
Category: Education
Description: In southern Platte County parents, educators, and students work together through programs like Parents as Teachers and Community Education. This commitment has helped earn the district Accredited with Distinction status from Missouri as well as a Gold Medal from Expansion Management magazine. Students in the district have earned perfect SAT scores and the state Heisman trophy for athletics.
6. Blue Valley
City: Kansas City, MO
Category: Education
Description: Serving more than 42,500 students in 42 schools, this southern Johnson County district has earned a reputation for high academic performance. Fourteen schools have received the prestigious Blue Ribbon Award. The district has also implemented successful community outreach programs, including SHARE (Seniors Helping and Refining Education), which places senior citizens in the schools to share time and talents, and YouthFriends, which pairs adults with children who benefit from individualized attention.
7. Desoto
City: Kansas City, MO
Category: Education
Description: Administrators in the fastest growing school district in Kansas planned for growth by building 11 new facilities in the late 1990s. And not just any square box will do: The elementary school design has won international acclaim as a “Kid Friendly School.” Technology plays a big part in learning, with computers in each classroom and additional computer labs for students that include CAD (computer-aided drafting) units.
8. Kansas City
City: Kansas City, MO
Category: Education
Description: With more than 20,000 students speaking 16 languages, this district is making a concerted effort to expand special programs for students with limited English proficiency. Stanley Elementary is the district’s only year-round elementary school.
9. Olathe
City: Kansas City, MO
Category: Education
Description: An expanding student population makes this southwest Kansas district the fourth largest in Kansas, but it may be the teachers who put it on top. Among their honors are 12 Presidential Awards for Excellence in math and science teaching and 14 National Blue Ribbon Awards from the Department of Education.
10. Shawnee Mission
City: Kansas City, MO
Category: Education
Description: This school district challenges students to do their best through such initiatives as the International Baccalaureate Program, an advanced system of studies that earns students college credit, and the Center for International Studies, which gives students in grades 9 through 12 an opportunity to develop skills in Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, and geopolitics. National Merit Scholarships are well represented here; recently 44 district students took home honors.
City: Kansas City, MO
Category: Education
Address: 11511 State Line Rd.
City: Kansas City, MO
Category: Education
Address: 5121 State Line
13. St. Teresa’S Academy
City: Kansas City, MO
Category: Education
Telephone: (816) 501-0011
Address: 5600 Main St.
Description: The oldest school in Kansas City remains one of its best. This Catholic, independent college-preparatory school for young women was founded in 1866 and is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. Students are treated to a 20-acre collegelike campus in one of the most elegant residential areas of Kansas City, Missouri, near Loose Park. A renovated quadrangle draws students from more than 70 elementary schools and various ethnic, social, and economic backgrounds. The school emphasizes a well-rounded experience by encouraging involvement in sports (it has one of the most respected athletic programs in the area) and community service. Volunteering a minimum of 90 hours is a prerequisite to graduation. The academy enrolls just over 500 students.
City: Kansas City, MO
Category: Education
Address: 12345 College Blvd.
15. Metropolitan Community Colleges
City: Kansas City, MO
Category: Education
Telephone: (816) 795-1000
Address: 3200 Broadway (administrative center)
Description: Metropolitan Community Colleges is actually a system of five colleges—Blue River, Longview, Maple Woods, Penn Valley, and the Business & Technology Center—in nine locations throughout the Kansas City area. More than 40,000 students choose these schools every year for more than just economic reasons.