Score an Excellent Education in Shawnee, KS

Courtesy of USD 232

Education in Shawnee, KS, isn’t just about memorizing facts and figures; it’s about preparing students for their futures. With a strong emphasis on career exploration and hands-on learning, Shawnee’s public and private schools are dedicated to helping students discover their passions and achieve their career goals. 

Innovative Education in Shawnee

Unified School District No. 232 (USD 232) based in De Soto stands out for its innovative career and technical education (CTE) and Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) programs in areas such as bioscience, engineering, animation and game design. Through these initiatives, students can engage in hands-on learning experiences, internships and mentorships with professionals in local, in-demand industries. 

“Our teachers expose students to a variety of career areas where jobs exist now, while also striving to prepare them for opportunities that may arise in the future,” says Joseph Kelly, director of secondary curriculum and instruction for USD 232. 

Kelly says career readiness begins as early as elementary school, with guest speakers talking about jobs, career fairs, field trips and business tours. In middle school, the district works with students to help them identify personal aptitudes and areas of interest using the Individual Plan of Study (IPS) model. Middle school students also participate in resume writing, mock job interviews, field trips, job shadowing and career mentoring. 

By the time students reach high school, the district provides various experiences, including internships, youth apprenticeships, simulated work-based experience, client-connected projects (real-world learning), career fairs, entrepreneurship /ownership and service learning. 

Real-World Education 

As the third-largest school district in the state, Shawnee Mission School District also shines with a robust menu of CTE programs in subjects such as health care, engineering, IT, culinary arts and hospitality. These programs not only teach valuable skills but also provide students with real-world experiences that prepare them for careers in the region. 

“The hospitality industry is one-quarter of the gross national product, and I only see that as getting better in the future for our students and the opportunities that are there,” says Bob Brassard, a culinary arts instructor at Shawnee Mission School District. 

The 131,000-square-foot Center for Academic Achievement houses the district’s career and technical programs, including the award-winning, student-run Broadmoor Bakery, Broadmoor Bistro and Broadmoor Urban Farm. The district has consistently ranked in the top 1% of high school culinary programs and has earned a Program of Excellence designation by the American Culinary Federation. 

On the Right Paths 

In addition to these public school offerings, Maranatha Christian Academy provides a unique educational experience for students in Shawnee. Through partnerships with MidAmerica Nazarene University and Johnson County Community College, Maranatha offers dual-enrollment courses that enable students to earn college credits while still in high school. This partnership not only accelerates students’ academic journeys but also exposes them to the rigors of higher education, preparing them for success beyond graduation. 

“Currently, we offer up to 33 hours of dual credit through MidAmerica Nazarene University, and students can select those as early as their sophomore year of high school,” says Dave Keener, secondary principal and dean of students at Maranatha Christian Academy. 

To prepare students for careers after high school and college, the school uses a program called Naviance, which helps determine students’ strengths, skills, interests and abilities and matches those with career pathways. 

“We offer a quality college-prep education with academic rigor that challenges students, but which also can help them gain scholarships, gain jobs or gain admission to universities that they want to attend,” Keener says. “We push our kids academically, and we’re not ashamed of that, but we also work to meet their spiritual, social and emotional needs.”