Johnson
County is nationally-recognized for the
quality of education provided by six school districts and two
colleges. They are listed below.
The
Blue Valley School District, a school district of 91 square
miles and more than 17,500 students, is one of the fastest
growing districts in the country. In 1996, the Blue Valley
School District was named first in the nation for academic
excellence by Expansion Management magazine. For more information,
call (913) 681-4000.
The De
Soto School District, which includes the city of De
Soto and parts of Shawnee, Lenexa, Bonner Springs and Olathe,
covers 100 square miles in the northwest corner of Johnson
County. With the philosophy that learning is a life-long process,
it is little surprise that more than 85 percent of the district's
3,700 students pursue post-secondary educations and more than
60 percent of the teaching staff are actively pursuing or have
earned Masters and other advanced degrees. For more information,
call (913) 583-8300.
The Gardner-Edgerton
School District covers 103 square miles
in the southwestern corner of Johnson County. The school district
takes pride in offering its 3,000 students a personalized education
with an emphasis on excellence. For more information, call
(913) 856-2000.
The
Olathe School District, which is Kansas' fourth largest
district in enrollment, offers more than 22,000 students an
average pupil/teacher ratio of 17:1. Ninety percent of this
award-winning district's graduating seniors continue with post-secondary
schooling. For more information, call (913) 780-7000.
The
Shawnee Mission School District covers 72 square miles
and has a student population of nearly 30,000. Many of the
district's 55 schools have been recognized for academic achievement,
including Mission Valley Middle School, which was the only
Kansas school to be named a Blue Ribbon school by the U.S.
Department of Education for the 1995-96 school year. For more
information, call (913) 993-6200.
The Spring
Hill School District provides more than 1,500 students
a comprehensive and personal education. With 450 computers
in use in classrooms from kindergarten to grade 12, the district
is distinguished by its success in integrating high-technology
with the learning process. To meet the needs of a growing population,
in the 1995-96 school year, the district opened both a new
elementary school and a high school, as well as a new district
stadium. For more information, call (913) 592-7200.
Colleges and Universities
Johnson
County Community College, 12345 College Boulevard,
Overland Park, provides more than 30,000 students a diverse
offering of educational opportunities taught by an award-winning
faculty. The college's modern campus is also home to a performing
arts facility that features renowned music, theater, comedy
and dance. For more information, call (913) 469-8500.
The
University of Kansas Edwards Campus, 12600 Quivira Road,
Overland Park, makes University of Kansas graduate programs
available to Kansas City area residents. Courses are taught
by faculty from KU's main campus in Lawrence. For more information,
call (913) 897-8400.
Other Educational Links
Kansas City College and Bible School
Kansas State Department of Education
MidAmerica Nazarene University
