Good School Guide

A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Are you or your child heading back to the classroom?
Here are some top-quality schools to consider:

Public Schools | Private Schools | Higher Education

Public Schools

Blue Springs school district students

Blue Valley school district students

Fort Osage school district

A student works with his teacher at a Gardner Edgerton USD 231 district school

Olathe school district graduate

Shawnee Mission graduates

Students at Advent Lutheran Preschool

Archbishop O'Hara High School students

Lutheran High School of Greater Kansas City

Northland Catholic School students

Oakhill Day School students

St. James Academy

St. Paul's Episcopal Day School students

Johnson County Community College

Blue Springs School District

The Blue Springs School District has a long and rich tradition of excellence in education and a commitment to students and staff. The district’s current enrollment stands at 14,050 students and includes children from Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Independence, Lake Tapawingo and Lee’s Summit.

Student achievement is the focus in this district, as one of only eight districts in the state to receive a perfect score on the Annual Performance Report for eight consecutive years from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). In addition, the district has eight consecutive Distinction in Performance awards, and its graduation rate is 93.3 percent — more than 80 percent of graduates attend college. Also, more than 70 percent of the district’s certified staff members hold advanced degrees www.bluesprings-schools.net

Blue Valley School District

“Education Beyond Expectations” is what the Blue Valley School District stands for. Providing all Blue Valley students with unprecedented academic success and unparalleled personal growth is at the heart of the district’s mission. Based at 15020 Metcalf Ave. in Overland Park, the district serves 20,563 students in southeastern Johnson County with four high schools grades 9-12, eight middle schools grades 6-8, and 19 elementary schools grades K-5. By 2011, the district will have a new elementary, middle and high school as well as the Center for Advanced Professional Studies. 913.239.4000 or www.bluevalleyk12.org. 

Fort Osage R-1 School District

Fort Osage R-1 School District is the central focus of a unique rural/suburban community rooted in history and tradition. Fort Osage offers something for every patron and every student from preschool through adult. The Career and Technical Center is an integral part of the district. Plus, the high school participates in the “A+” program that affords all students the opportunity to attend college. Take time    to view its “Discover the Fort,” a short video on the Fort Osage family on the homepage of the website. 816.650.7019 or www.fortosage.net

Gardner Edgerton USD 231 

Gardner Edgerton USD 231 serves the growing communities of Gardner and Edgerton, located in southwest Johnson County, Kan. The district serves nearly 4,400 students at six elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. The district provides laptop computers and associated wireless technology to classroom teachers at all nine schools. On the 2008 Kansas State Assessments, Gardner Edgerton schools achieved 58 State Standard of Excellence designations in reading and math. Four schools received the Governor’s Achievement Award, ranking them among the top 5 percent of schools in the state.913.856.2000 or visit www.usd231.com.

Lawrence Virtual School

The Lawrence Virtual School (LVS) is a tuition-free online public school that serves students kindergarten through eighth grade across Kansas, with an annual $97 technology and instructional materials fee requirement. Families get access to the exceptional K12 curriculum and patented methodology for online learning; support from passionate, Kansas-licensed teachers; and an involved school community. K12 is the leading curriculum provider for public online schools serving kindergarten through high school. Today, 96 percent of parents are satisfied with the quality of the K12 curriculum, and 95 percent of parents say they would recommend the curriculum to a friend.  866.644.8320 or www.K12.com/lvs

Olathe School District

Innovative programs, technology-rich classrooms and academic excellence are hallmarks of the Olathe District Schools. Serving students in Olathe, Lenexa and Overland Park, its reputation for excellence makes Olathe one of the fastest-growing districts in Kansas. A national reputation for staff training attracts highly qualified educators, including the 2007 Kansas Teacher of the Year and 14 Presidential Award winners for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching. Students consistently earn test scores above state and national averages, and in 2008, they received more than $28 million in scholarship offers. All schools welcome visits from prospective students and parents. www.olatheschools.com

Shawnee Mission School District

The Shawnee Mission School District serves nearly 28,000 students living in the northeast part of Johnson County and has a national reputation for educational excellence that is fostered by the community’s dedication to its schools.

The district offers a strong academic focus for students in grades K-12, including more than 50 advanced placement and honors courses as well as an alternative secondary education program. Innovative signature programs, including the Center for International Studies, International Baccalaureate, Project Lead the Way, Biotechnology, Biomedical and Pre-Medical Health Studies, and Legal Studies, offer an intensive focus in specialized areas of study. Career and technical education courses like filmmaking, graphic design and culinary arts provide industry-specific training. 913.993.6447 or www.smsd.org

return to the top
 

Private Schools

Advent Lutheran Preschool

Providing a quality educational program within a loving, caring Christian atmosphere is Advent Lutheran Preschool’s mission. One of the important goals of its early childhood curriculum is to help children become enthusiastic learners while being respectful to others. Advent’s preschool has a reputation for having highly qualified teachers who encourage children to be creative and active explorers. Advent Lutheran provides an atmosphere for children to develop a positive attitude toward learning, allowing them to grow at their pace and in ways that are best for them. The activities planned for children, the way the school organizes the environment, incorporates materials and talks with children are all designed to accomplish the goals of the curriculum and give children a successful start in school. Advent Preschool offers classes for 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds. Advent Lutheran Preschool is located at 151st and Quivira in Olathe, Kan. For more information, call 913.681.5829 or visit www.adventlutheranchurch.com.

Archbishop O’Hara High School

Opportunity is the key word for students attending Archbishop O’Hara in Kansas City, Mo. The diocesan Catholic high school, which serves families in Kansas City, Raytown, Lee’s Summit, Grandview, Blue Springs, Independence and the western corridor of Jackson County, has an outstanding staff of experienced and dedicated teachers and administrators working to provide a comprehensive Lasallian-based education for nearly 500 students.

Students also have the opportunity for involvement in the school’s 32 activities and sports and are encouraged through a fine arts requirement to develop their artistic talents. They also follow the Lasallian philosophy of the Christian Brothers to provide service to the  community and the foreign missions of the order. Above all, students of varying ethnic, economic, racial and religious backgrounds strive for excellence in all realms of school life. 816.763.4800 or www.oharahs.org

Lutheran High School of Greater Kansas City

Lutheran High School is located on 29 park-like acres in south Kansas City at 124th and Wornall Road. Its senior classes annually score among the top five high schools in the region on the ACT. The anticipated enrollment for 2009-10 school year will be 130 or more. The campus has buildings and grounds ready to accept additional students without adding classrooms.

LHS offers every student the opportunity to participate in extra-curricular athletics, activities and fine arts to help them discover and use their full spectrum of talents. The Christ-centered environment is open to all students regardless of faith; LHS is not exclusively for Lutherans. www.lhskc.com

Northland Catholic Schools

The Northland Catholic Schools are comprised of six grade schools and one high school, all located in Kansas City North. These schools focus on the total personal development — the intellectual, spiritual, moral, physical and social development of each student. Students succeed because they integrate faith and knowledge and acquire excellence in learning, innovative programs and training necessary for personal decision-making, with emphasis on personal responsibility and respect for others. 816.453.3450

Notre Dame de Sion

Since its founding in 1912, Notre Dame de Sion School has been recognized for providing challenging academics and invites students to encounter God in a nurturing atmosphere that respects all   faith traditions. Notre Dame de Sion is listed among the top 25 best Catholic    high schools nationwide for academics and has earned a reputation for excellence with 40 consecutive years of National Merit recognition. At the coeducational elementary school, students consistently score 2 or more years ahead of their peers on standardized tests and enjoy learning in a stimulating environment. www.ndsion.edu

Oakhill Day School

Oakhill Day School provides excellence in education through child-centered learning in a supportive, challenging and rewarding environment. Students gain self-confidence, values, knowledge and the foundation for leadership through emotional, physical and social development. They are engaged and challenged by the academic programs and the varied  activities of everyday school life. Within the small classes, teachers give personal attention, tailor the curriculum and involve all learning styles. Oakhill was awarded Best Private School in the Northland, Small Business of the Year, Bridging the Gap School of the Year and is a Keystone Award recipient. 816.436.6228 or www.oakhilldayschool.org.

St. James Academy

St. James Academy is the newest Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. Located in western Lenexa, the vibrant, spiritual atmosphere at St. James Academy is both refreshing and inviting. St. James Academy teaches that principles of faith should be inseparable from the lives people choose to lead.

Laptop computers are provided to all students and staff; administrators realize the great importance of technology in all facets of learning and have demonstrated foresight and leadership by offering this tool. Drama, art, music and athletics also are a vital part of the St. James Academy experience. These activities teach teamwork, camaraderie, leadership, and they help to further develop the  students’ God-given talents. 913.254.4200

St. Paul’s Episcopal Day School

St. Paul’s Episcopal Day School, located at 4041 Main St., is an independent school for students ages 2 ½ years through eighth grade. Sessions for toddlers, preschoolers and pre-kindergartners are half-day in length, but children can stay for Lunch Bunch (until 1 p.m.) and Afternoon Team (until 3:30 p.m.). A new 26,000-square-foot building houses these young students.

Grades first through eighth are housed in a state-of-the-art school building that includes a computer lab, gymnasium, foreign language lab and science lab, and an extensive library with mini computer lab. Additionally, St. Paul’s has three-and-a-half acres of playing fields. Sports include volleyball, soccer, tennis, lacrosse and basketball. Classes are maintained at a student/teacher ratio of no more than 11:1. Financial aid is available on a need basis. www.speds.org

return to the top

Higher Education

Johnson County Community College

With more than 34,000 students enrolled in credit and continuing education classes each semester, Johnson County Community College, located in Overland Park, Kan., is the state’s third-largest institution of higher education and the largest of its 19 community colleges. With a national reputation for quality education, teaching and programming, JCCC offers a full range of undergraduate credit courses that form the first two years of most college curricula. In addition, more than 50 one- and two-year career and certificate programs prepare students to enter the job market in high-employment fields. Likewise, JCCC’s continuing education program is the largest, most comprehensive in the Kansas City area. 913.469.3803 or visit www.jccc.edu.

return to the top