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District Strategic Framework

District Strategic Framework

A young student sits at a desk in a classroom, smiling at the camera with a tablet in front of her.

Our vision, goal, and mission is what drives our day to day interactions with students. We are all working very hard every day to provide a quality learning experience for every student, every day.

Our Mission

Inspiring Excellence. Every Grown Up. Every Child. Every Day.

 

Our Vision

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Striving to become one of the Top 10 School Districts in the Nation.

  • District Highlights

    • Bertram Caruthers Elementary School named 2021 National ESEA Distinguished School
    • Sumner Academy of Arts & Science named #1 on U.S. News Best Kansas High Schools list. (2019, 2020, 2021,  2022, 2023)
    • Sumner Academy of Arts & Science named #6 on U.S. News Nations Best High Schools for 2021
    • New Stanley Elementary named 2019 National ESEA Distinguished School
    • Home to the 2019 Kansas Teacher of the Year, Whitney Morgan

    Learn More about KCKPS

Recent Success in KCKPS

Our Goal

A group of people wearing hard hats stands outdoors in front of a building and large pipes.

Each student exits high school prepared for college and careers in a global society; at every level, performance is on track and on time for success.

Working towards our Goal

Our North Star

A cartoon illustration of a light yellow shooting star with blue and dark blue streaks trailing behind it.

By 2031, 100% of students who graduate will graduate with a Diploma+ endorsement, with no disparities in race or gender subgroups while meeting or exceeding the average graduation rate of the state.

  • Two people collaborate on a laptop at a wooden table in a well-lit workshop.

    A high school diploma is not enough, in today's economy, for students to access high-pay, high-demand jobs that transform their lives and their community. In order to prepare our students for success in a global society, the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools is implementing a district-wide initiative called Diploma+.

    Diploma+ means that each student will exit high school prepared for college and careers in a global society, and at every level, each student's performance is on-track and on-time for success.

    Diploma+ Endorsements

    • At least 21 on the ACT or 1060 SAT
    • Completion of a Qualified Internship or Industry Approved Project
    • Completion of the IB Diploma Programme or Career Related Programme
    • Completion of an Industry Recognized Certificate or Credential
    • Acceptance into the Military
    • Completion of at least one full year of college (18-30 Credit Hours)
    • An Approved Plan for Post-Secondary Transition

    Visit the Diploma+ Page

    Diploma+ Attainment Rates and Updated Trajectory

    YEAR 2031 Cohort Actual Graduating D+ Endorsement Initial Trajectory

    23-24 Revised Trajectory
    2014-2015        
    2015-2016   21%    
    2016-2017   26%    
    2017-2018   31%    
    2018-2019 K 46%    
    2019-2020 1st 48%    
    2020-2021 2nd 32%    
    2021-2022 3rd 49% 49%  
    2022-2023 4th 61% 55% 61%
    2023-2024 5th   60% 65%
    2024-2025 6th   66% 70%
    2025-2026 7th   72% 75%
    2026-2027 8th   78% 80%
    2027-2028 9th   83% 85%
    2028-2029 10th   89% 90%
    2029-2030 11th   95% 95%
    2030-2031 12th   100% 100%

     

    2031 Goal Attainment of Diploma+ 2031 Trajectory

    A line graph titled 2021 Coal Movement vs 2024 Trajectory showing an upward trend over time.

    2031 Goal Attainment of Diploma+ 2031 Trajectory

    This line graph shows the current trajectory of students graduating with a Diploma+ and continues toward the goal of 100% in 2031.

    It starts with the 2015-2016 school year at 21% and gradually increases each year (with the exception of a large dip for the year 2020-2021) until the most recent year of 2021-2022 at 61%. The trajectory line continues to the goal of 100% in 2031, increasing each year 5-6%.

Our Values

BE A LEARNER - We are all learners.
As learners we make our work public, we study, we explore, and we expect to evolve and grow in what we know and do.

BRING OUT THE BEST IN PEOPLE - Choose Excellence
We believe in the potential of every child, every grownup, and ourselves, and our actions demonstrate our belief.

BE RESPONSIBLE - It's Up to Us
We are all responsible for the success of each student, each staff member, each school and each department.

DO THE RIGHT THING - Five Star Service
Treat others with respect, act with integrity, and commit to teamwork and open communication.

ACHIEVE RESULTS THAT MATTER - Aim High
We choose actions that focus on meaningful outcomes for our students.

A woman wearing a mask leans over to assist a student working on a laptop computer in a well-lit room.

Board Goals

Goal 1: Optimize Financial Planning
Objective: Align financial decisions with strategic investments that eliminate disparities and maximize student outcomes.

Goal 2: Strengthen Vision and Planning
Objective: Lead with a clear, equity-driven vision that ensures all students graduate prepared for college, careers, and global citizenship.

Goal 3: Foster Strong Board/Superintendent Relations
Objective: Build a unified leadership team that models trust, collaboration, and a shared commitment to student success.

Two smiling graduates in blue and yellow gowns sit among a crowd at a commencement ceremony.

District KESA Goals

  1. Improve student outcomes on district graduation rates.
  2. Improve student outcomes on assessments.

KESA Outcomes

Work occurring in each of the KESA outcome areas positively impacts the two district KESA goals.

  • Strategies to promote social and emotional learning (SEL), school climate, and student voice have been connected with improvements in student academic achievement, well-being, and college and career readiness. Focus on data-driven decisions making processes for monitoring the  progress of all students, and proactively intervene when students show early signs of attendance, behavior, and academic problems.

    5-Year Goal:  By 2027-2028, USD 500 students will demonstrate measurable growth in their social and emotional skills and well-being demonstrating positive outcomes, both academically and personally, as a result of increased professional development, data monitoring, and implementation of the Multi-Tiered System of Support with fidelity across our campuses.

  • Children who are exposed to intentional instruction and learning around social-emotional, executive function, mathematics, and literacy skills in preschool, are likely to be better prepared for the higher expectations and more formal curriculum in elementary school.

    5-Year Goal:  80% of P4 district preschool students will be ready for Kindergarten.

  • Focus on data-driven decisions making processes for monitoring the  progress of all students, and proactively intervene when students show early signs of attendance, behavior, and academic problems.

    5-Year Goal: Kansas City Kansas Public School’s graduation rate will meet or exceed 90 percent (KCKPS 2031 Goal).

  • A developed and aligned Individual plan of study can support students engagement and persistence in school.

    5-Year Goal:  100% of middle and high school students will have an Individual Plan of Study.

  • Offer courses and curricula that prepare students for college-level work, and ensure that students understand what constitutes a college-ready curriculum by 9th grade.

    5-Year Goal: By 2031 100% of students who graduate will graduate with a Diploma+ endorsement with the graduation rate meeting or exceeding the state average

Strategic Themes

Learn More

District Focus Areas

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