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Roadmap to the North Star: Strategic Plan 2026-2031

The image depicts a logo for "Roadmap to the North Star", featuring a winding road leading to a star-shaped graduation cap against a backdrop of mountains and a blue sky.

 

Every journey begins with a destination.

For Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools, that destination is clear: our North Star Goal:
By 2031, 100% of students will graduate with a Diploma+ endorsement, with no disparities in race or gender subgroups while meeting or exceeding the state’s average graduation rate.

To reach that destination, we’re developing our next Strategic Plan: the Roadmap to the North Star (2026–2031). This plan will chart the course for the next five years of growth and achievement across our district.

Share your thoughts in our survey.

Apply to be on the district Steering Committee.

 

The image shows a young girl holding a sign that says "What I want to be" with various career aspirations written on it, while the background appears to be a classroom setting with a whiteboard and other students.

Why Strategic Planning Matters

A strong strategic plan acts as a map — helping us navigate the path between our goals and the daily work happening in every classroom. It gives direction and focus, ensures alignment across departments and schools, and defines how progress will be measured. Most importantly, it builds shared accountability and transparency so that every student, family, and staff member can see how their efforts contribute to our collective success.

Our Roadmap to the North Star will move beyond the district’s current Strategic Framework by creating a comprehensive, measurable, and actionable plan. Each department will outline its own goals, strategies, and benchmarks to keep us on track toward our North Star.

 

The image features the words "Consistency" and "Coherence" in bold text, with an orange curved line connecting the two words against a blue background resembling a map or blueprint.

 

Focus Areas for Growth

The Roadmap will build upon the priorities already guiding our work:

Belonging – Ensuring every student and staff member feels valued, supported, and connected.
Consistency – Providing equitable access to high-quality teaching and opportunities across every school.
Coherence – Aligning systems, programs, and priorities across the district to work in harmony.
Better Every Day – Embracing continuous improvement through small, intentional steps forward.

 

How You Can Be Part of the Journey

We believe great plans are built together. The success of Roadmap to the North Star (2026–2031) depends on the voices and perspectives of our entire KCKPS community. There are two important ways you can get involved right now:

1. Share your voice in the Strategic Planning Survey

Open through December 10, this short survey gives students, staff, families, and community members a chance to share their thoughts about what matters most for the future of KCKPS.

Share your thoughts in our survey.

2. Apply to join the KCKPS Steering Committee

The Steering Committee will include 30–40 members representing families, students, staff, business and city leaders, and community partners. Working alongside the Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB), the committee will:

  • Review and refine the district’s mission, vision, and values
  • Analyze district data and current performance
  • Develop focus area themes for the new strategic plan

Committee members will be selected to ensure broad representation across the district’s diverse community.

Apply to be on the district Steering Committee.

3. Coming this spring: Apply for an Action Team

After the Steering Committee determines the strategic themes, Action Teams will be formed around each theme. These teams—made up of educators, students, families, and community members—will meet in spring 2026 to design actionable goals and strategies that turn the district’s vision into measurable results.

Together, we’ll chart a clear, united course toward our North Star—ensuring that every KCKPS student graduates ready to thrive in college, career, and life.

 

 

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Roadmap to the North Star: Strategic Planning Process Timeline
 

November–December 2025: Community Input
 

  • November 11: Official launch of the Roadmap to the North Star strategic planning process at the Board of Education meeting.
  • Launch of the ThoughtExchange survey for students, staff, families, and community members to share ideas, priorities, and feedback.
  • December 10: Survey closes. Input will be reviewed and used to identify themes and focus areas.

January–February 2026: Team Formation

  • Applications open for Steering Committee and Action Teams.
  • February 2026: Committees begin meeting to refine goals, develop department-level plans, and shape measurable objectives.

March–May 2026: Plan Development

  • Drafting of the comprehensive Strategic Plan (2026–2031), including clear action steps, timelines, and accountability measures.
  • Ongoing collaboration and feedback sessions with internal teams and community representatives.

June-July 2026: Board Review

  • June 2026: Presentation of the draft plan to the Board of Education for policy review and discussion.

August 2026 and Beyond: Plan Adoption and Launch

  • The Board of Education formally adopts the Roadmap to the North Star (2026–2031).
  • Departments and schools begin implementation of their specific goals and actions as part of the district’s unified plan.