By Mark Tallman

"I think the majority of our kids have the expectation that you will go on to do something to be a productive citizen. We're raising our kids to contribute to our community. I think the majority of our kids feel that.” - Frank Layden Elementary Principal Courtney McCartney.

Frontenac USD 249 in southeast Kansas serves about 1,000 students. The number of students with high needs is 55.8 percent, about 10 percentage points below the state average. In the years 2016-2020, Frontenac’s rate for postsecondary achievement was nearly 15 percent higher than predicted. Predictions are based on district size and number of high needs students. That rate makes Frontenac a state leader in outperforming expectations. During my visit to Frontenac I learned how the district is getting those results.

Superintendent Rick Simoncic said the school board goals put a priority on expanding students’ postsecondary options to better prepare them for success after high school. They are also benefiting from the Kansas State Department of Education’s School Redesign Program. A strong plan of study process is key. “We start an individual plan study course that they take first semester of eighth grade,” said Frontenac Junior High Principal Mike Martin. “By the time our kids graduate from high school, they pretty much know what they're going on to, whether college, vocational training, or a job. We have worked with them for five years on exploring what they want to do, giving them experiences like internships and college courses in high school, worked to mentor them. Things can always change, but pretty much every one of them has an idea of where they're headed and what they want to do.”

Frontenac High School Principal Brandy Stanley says teaching staff play a key role, especially through Seminar time. Students are grouped with a specific teacher over their four years of high school in Seminar. Students work on career planning and receive other support. “Those teachers are building relationships and following their progress, working with them on those life plans,” Stanley said. “We're trying to give as many opportunities as possible for certification or credentials by the time students leave school.”

To create those opportunities Frontenac has partnered with Pittsburg State University and Fort Scott Community College. Students can also take courses from other institutions online. Frontenac also places an emphasis on helping students earn in-demand industry recognized credentials. They want students to develop career plans but stress that students can change their minds. “The clubs and activities that we have and field trips that we take let students learn more about what a career really involves.” said Stanley. “We try to provide as many experiences as we can to help them to find their way, when it doesn't cost them anything. They're not in college spending money yet. Let's give them some opportunities to explore and kind of narrow their focus.”

Frontenac has adopted many programs under the State Board of Education’s Kansans Can initiative. This includes the expansion of early childhood education, multi-tiered systems of support to address academic needs, after school tutoring, homework assistance, community mental health service partnerships, and a strong social, emotional and character education focus. To build relationships, the elementary school uses the “house” system where students are assigned to multi-grade house families.

While Frontenac education leaders say these specific strategies have helped postsecondary success and graduation rates, they also credit strong community relationships. This includes local scholarship fundraising efforts, student community service, and school involvement in the annual Festa Italiana which celebrates the area’s Italian heritage. The schools even host the community Thanksgiving dinner.

Frontenac is committed to a culture of high expectations. “We're raising our kids to contribute to our community,” said Principal McCartney. “What I love about this district is that it allows those kids that may not have that structure or support at home, or somewhere else, to find a mentor here in our school.”

Bright Idea: Frontenac High School holds an annual “senior signing day” event each May, where every senior signs a plan outlining their goals for what to do after high school graduation, whether college, career, military, or workforce. “The idea is to show that every student has thought about their future and developed some plans to achieve the goals,” said Frontenac High School Counselor Jennifer Niederklein. “At the same, they understand their plans are always open to change. Sometimes the most important thing they can learn is what they DON’T want to do, and how to adjust.”