By Mark Tallman

Southern Lyon County USD 252 is used to recognition. It’s the only district in the state to have received “Kansas Star” recognition from the Kansas State Department of Education in all eight “Kansans Can” areas for the past four consecutive years.

Those areas are based on the State Board of Education’s “Kansans Can” outcomes, which include performance in the quantitative areas of academically prepared for postsecondary (state reading and math assessments), high school graduation, postsecondary success and the Commissioner’s Award for postsecondary success. Districts can apply to receive recognition in the qualitative measures of social-emotional growth, kindergarten readiness, individual plans of study (IPS), and civic engagement. 

Southern Lyon County also performs high in a system KASB developed to measure district performance for state assessments, graduation rates and postsecondary success, looking at both the recent performance and change over five to seven years. It compares a district’s outcomes to a “predicted” performance based on enrollment size and the average percentage of students eligible for free and reduced-price meals plus students with disabilities from 2015-2024.

This system allows recognition of districts based on how well they perform considering both their enrollment and the number of students with special challenges that often result in lower performance.
Southern Lyon County had an enrollment of 542 and a 2015-2024 Average Free/Reduce Meals Eligible Plus Students with Disabilities rate of 57.1, slightly below the state average. It exceeded expected results on the six outcomes by an average of 4.8 percent, which ranked 12th of 97 districts in its enrollment group. Its 2024 Graduation Rate was 100 percent, or 7.2% higher than expected; and its 2018-2020 Change in Postsecondary Effective Rate was 9.2%, or 13 percent higher than expected.

The postsecondary effective rate is the percentage of each graduating class that graduates in four years and either completed an industry-recognized credential, a technical certificate or an academic degree, or is enrolled in a postsecondary program two years after senior year. Most districts dropped in postsecondary effective rate from 2018 to 2022 when higher educational enrollment declined during COVID.

Southern Lyon County, southeast of Emporia, operates a PreK-12 building in Olpe, a PreK–5 building in Neosho Rapids and a 6-12 building in Hartford. I met with district leaders to talk about how they were getting high results.

The single most important reason given was a tradition of high expectations and success. Leaders from both schools said their communities set high academic and behavioral expectations for students, with younger students looking up to older students as role models, creating a culture of accountability and motivation to excel.

"I think a big part of it is, they look up to you as a role model, and you don't want to disappoint them,” said Truman Bailey, an Olpe High School graduate from the class of 2023 who still lives in the community. “That is pretty heavy responsibility on upperclassmen to do the right thing and try to succeed." He talked about maintaining close relationships with his former teachers, saying he still sees them around the community and when he coaches fourth-grade flag football. He emphasized that during high school and beyond, he didn't want to do anything that would disappoint his teachers, and he continues to give back to the community by staying involved and coaching.

Districts leaders acknowledge Southern Lyon County has advantages over some districts. Its communities are a short drive from Emporia, providing access to postsecondary programs at Emporia State University and Flint Hills Technical College, a ready supply of teacher education candidates to student teach in the district, and amenities not available in more remote rural districts.

They also note that the small size of each community and the two high schools allow teachers to know each child individually, so they can respond quickly to concerns, help students explore future plans and match their school experience with those plans.

However, Southern Lyon County has higher results than most similar districts. When pressed, its educators listed a number of programs and strategies, many that reflect the Kansans Can vision.

Megan McGuire, an 18-year teacher in Olpe, discussed the importance of civic engagement. This includes a planned series of student volunteer activities in the community and a rigorous application process for Student Council, which helps guide civic engagement programs. USD 252 participates in the national Honor Flight program, pairing students with military veterans to visit memorials, landmarks and museums in the nation’s capital. The group stressed these activities strengthen bonds between students, school and community, and also help students develop important workplace and citizenship skills beyond academics.

Amy Kaufman, Olpe guidance counselor, notes the high school offers seniors a class period on college and careers to help students with career planning, college admission and financial aid applications, developing resumes and mock interviews. “They leave here with a plan (for life after high school), and also a “Plan B,” I hope,” said Coffman.

Hartford Schools educators highlighted the success of their educational programs, particularly in high school and post-secondary participation. Key factors include on-the-job training (OJT) opportunities, relationship-building, and apprenticeships and early exposure to career paths, along with dual enrollment in college courses.

The district places a high premium on high school graduation. “Our first goal is for you to graduate high school,” said Hartford PreK-high school counselor Angela Nunley, saying that is the foundation for all students who will then go on to employment, college or other training based on their interests and abilities. “Our second goal is for you to contribute back to your family, your community, the society, and that's what makes us proud.”

District leaders said their performance held up despite COVID-19 challenges through continuous support and personalized education. They acknowledged challenges such as poverty, mental health issues, and academic gaps, but said the school's supportive staff and community are helping students overcome these hurdles. They also noted that a new policy limiting cell phones during the school day has also improved student engagement and academic performance, sharply reducing the number of students ineligible for participation due to grades.

Finally, many Southern Lyon County school leaders, including the relatively new superintendent Ryan Muhlig, said part of the district’s success was due to the longevity of the previous superintendent and high school principal, who had time to set a long-term vision and see its development.