Frontier News
June 2024
FSE Class of 2024 Graduation
On May 16th, Frontier School of Excellence celebrated its graduation ceremony at Unity Temple on the Plaza. The event overflowed with joy as graduating students and their families marked this significant milestone together. Diamond Francois, the valedictorian, will be attending Missouri University - Columbia, while Fardialah Guerrier, the salutatorian, will be attending UMKC.
Ms. Cameron May, FSE Social Studies Teacher, delivered an inspiring message centered around the theme "You are who you are and who you are is enough." She shared her personal journey, highlighting how teaching became her true calling and emphasized the importance of perseverance in life's challenges.
As each student embarks on their journey, we extend our heartfelt wishes for success in all their future endeavors.
FSHS Class of 2024 Graduation
On May 23rd, Frontier STEM High School held its graduation ceremony at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. It was a beautiful event, with families and friends in attendance to celebrate the accomplishments of the graduates. The ceremony was filled with joy and pride, marking a significant milestone for the students and their loved ones. Makia Martin, the valedictorian, will be attending Washington University, while William Aung, the salutatorian, will be attending Standord University.
The commencement address was delivered by Dr. Larry Rideaux, President of Metropolitan Community College (MCC). Dr. Rideaux emphasized the importance of being a solution-based thinker to ensure continuous progress, not just for oneself, but for future generations. He urged graduates to avoid negative thinking, as it can diminish their hopes and dreams, and encouraged them to persist and never give up.
As each student embarks on their journey, we extend our heartfelt wishes for success in all their future endeavors.
FSI Elementary's 3rd Grade Team Awarded for Outstanding Achievement
On May 9th, representatives from SchoolSmartKC, the Missouri Charter School Association, and the Royals Foundation visited FSI Elementary's 3rd grade team to present them with a $5000 check in recognition of their excellence in education. According to Lauren O'Connor, Principal, "This team consistently goes above and beyond, collaborating tirelessly to ensure their students reach their full potential. They set high expectations and firmly believe in the success of each and every student."
Congratulations to the 3rd grade team for their outstanding dedication and achievement!
Staff and Teacher Appreciation Week
Teacher Appreciation Week was celebrated from May 6th to 10th. During this time, staff enjoyed several perks. On May 7th, Frontier Schools hosted a Staff Appreciation Banquet in the FSI Middle Gymnasium, with a festive Cinco De Mayo theme. The event featured a lively mariachi band and included numerous awards, such as years of service, support staff of the year for each building, teacher of the year for each building, and district teacher of the year. It was a joyous and memorable celebration for all attendees.
2023-24 District Teacher of the Year
In addition to being an excellent classroom teacher, Mr. Vest is a consummate professional who excels in team development. He is always helping other staff members, setting ambitious goals for his students, and tracking their progress meticulously. Mr. Vest involves parents in their child's education, fosters a collaborative environment, and ensures that every student is given the opportunity to succeed. His ability to set clear, achievable goals and his strategic approach to education allows him to lead his team through every challenge with ease.
Congratulations, Mr. Vest!
Campus Teachers of the Year
Congratulations to our 2023-24 Teachers of the Year! Each of you have gone above and beyond our expectations, and we extend a well earned congratulations to you. Keep up the great work, and cheers to your continued success here.
Beau Vest, FSHS
Campus Support Staff of the Year
Kanaissa Hollins, FSI Elementary
Erika Ruiz, FSI Middle
Koral Calderon, FSHS
Years of Service Recognition
We have a tradition to recognize our employees during Teacher Appreciation Week who are in their 5th, 10th, or 15th years with Frontier Schools. We thank our teachers and staff for their continued commitment to the Frontier Schools’ system. We truly appreciate their loyalty, dedication, and all of their contributions in making Frontier one of the best schools in KC.
Henry W. Bloch Scholars Announced !
We're excited to announce the latest cohort of Henry W. Bloch Scholars! Since 2000, the Henry W. Bloch Scholars/Promise and Opportunity Program has been offering full tuition and fees to local students who demonstrate a commitment to success, irrespective of their financial situation, test scores, or life challenges. Congratulations to our deserving recipients at FSHS and FSE!
Great Jobs KC Scholars Announced!
The mission of Great Jobs KC is to provide access to college scholarships and tuition-free job training along with job placement assistance to secure family-sustaining jobs for low- to modest-income individuals in the Kansas City Area.
Way to go Panthers & Falcons! Your hard work and unwavering commitment have paid off, and we are confident that you will continue to excel in your pursuits. We cannot express how immensely proud we are of your accomplishments. Congratulations and best wishes for your future endeavors!
8th Grade Promotion at Frontier School of Excellence
On May 10th, FSE held an 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony in the school gymnasium. This joyous event featured the distribution of attendance and academic awards, high achievement awards, superlative awards, and graduation certificates. The ceremony concluded with photos, cake, and refreshments shared with families.
PreK Promotion at FSI Elementary
Senior Banquet at Frontier School of Excellence
On April 26th, Frontier School of Excellence hosted their senior banquet in the school's gymnasium. The event featured a delicious dinner and the presentation of achievement awards. Family members attended, making it a memorable evening for all.
Field Day at Frontier Schools!
On May 22nd, all campuses hosted an exciting field day to celebrate the end of the school year. Each school offered a variety of activities to ensure a fun-filled day for everyone. Students enjoyed both indoor and outdoor events, including, dunk tank, inflatable obstacle courses, bouncy houses, tug of war, bike riding, pie in the face, board and card games, basketball, and much more.
District-Wide Professional Development Day
On May 23rd, all campuses dedicated a day to professional development. The focus was on LETRS® (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) training and departmental meetings for middle and high school math teachers.
Senior Parade at FSI Elementary & Middle School
On May 10th, graduating seniors from Frontier STEM High School paraded in their caps and gowns through FSI Elementary and Middle Schools. Younger students lined the halls, cheering and high-fiving the seniors as they passed. The seniors also paused to view their old class photos in the lobby. It was an inspiring event for everyone involved.
Gifted & Talented Showcase
On May 13th, Ms. Molina, the Gifted & Talented Coordinator at FSI Elementary, orchestrated an impressive Gifted & Talented Showcase for students and families from both FSI Elementary & Middle Schools. Students showcased their projects in the Innovation Lab, engaging parents in their presentations. The event was further enhanced with a delightful meal provided by Olive Garden, enjoyed by all attendees.
Parent Champion Banquet
An Enchanting Evening: Frontier STEM High School Prom 2024
On May 4th, Frontier STEM High School hosted their prom in the Ruby Room at Music Theatre Heritage in Crown Center. The event featured a captivating "Masquerade with a Murder Mystery Twist" theme. Students had a fantastic time, dancing the night away and immersing themselves in the thrilling atmosphere.
Frontier Schools Receives PRIME Center Growth Award
The PRiME Center at St. Louis University recently announced that 3 schools in Frontier Schools received a total of 8 awards for promoting outstanding student growth during the 2021-2022 school year:
Frontier School Of Innovation Elementary (K-5)
- 18th in statewide Mathematics growth for subgroup students.
Frontier School Of Innovation Middle
- 1st in statewide English Language Arts growth for all students.
- 2nd in statewide Mathematics growth for all students.
- 2nd in statewide English Language Arts growth for subgroup students.
- 1st in statewide Mathematics growth for subgroup students.
Frontier School Of Excellence Middle
- 7th in statewide Mathematics growth for all students.
- 5th in statewide Mathematics growth for subgroup students.
- Beating the Odds for Mathematics growth. Frontier School Of Innovation Elementary
- 18th in statewide Mathematics growth for subgroup students.
Congratulations and thank you to everyone who contributed to this success!
Girls & Boys Summer Leadership Camps 2024!
During two separate weekends in May, male and female students from grades 6th-12th embarked on an enriching experience at our Summer Leadership Camp. Held at the Wilderness Camping and Retreat Center in Lawson, Missouri, the boys and girls enjoyed distinct weekends filled with exciting activities such as swimming, hiking, and archery. Additionally, they engaged in STEM team-building projects and insightful leadership discussions. A special thank you to Henderson Engineers for guiding the leadership discussions. Both camps provided invaluable experiences, cherished by our students!
Home Visits
Teachers and school staff have visited 511 students in 437 homes since the start of the 2023-24 school year. Home visits are paramount in bridging cultural gaps that might exist. These visits also provide opportunities for staff to understand their students better by visiting them in their home environments.
A SHOUT-OUT to our teachers & staff! Thank you for everything you do!
Career Opportunities at Frontier Schools
Discover rewarding careers at Frontier Schools. Join our passionate team in fostering student success with competitive pay and benefits!
Exciting News: Our commitment to educators was featured on Fox 4 News KC, showcasing our starting teacher pay of $60K! Read the article here.
Click here to explore our career opportunities now!
Join Our Team: Frontier Schools Seeking Bus Drivers!
Frontier Schools has secured the lease of 8 buses and is actively seeking qualified drivers to join our team. If you know anyone interested in becoming a bus driver for our schools, please direct them to our website at www.frontierschools.org, under Careers>Job Openings.
As an added incentive, bus drivers starting their employment at Frontier this year will enjoy an increased salary of $27.04/hour for the 2024-25 school year, reflecting additional Frontier work experience. Further compensation adjustments will be made for relevant school experience and educational qualifications.
Frontier School of Innovation Elementary (Pre K-3)
Email: fsi@frontierschools.org
Location: 6700 Corporate Drive, Kansas City, MO, USA
Phone: (816) 363-1907
Facebook: facebook.com/frontierschoolofinnovation
Frontier School of Innovation Middle (4-8)
Email: fsi@frontierschools.org
Location: 1575 Universal Avenue, Kansas City, MO, USA
Phone: (816) 241-6202
Facebook: facebook.com/frontierschoolofinnovation
Frontier STEM High School (9-12)
Email: infostem@frontierschools.org
Location: 6455 East Commerce Avenue, Kansas City, MO, USA
Phone: (816) 541-8200
Facebook: facebook.com/frontierstemhighschool
Frontier School of Excellence (6-12)
Email: fse@frontierschools.org
Location: 5605 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, MO, USA
Phone: (816) 822-1331
Facebook: facebook.com/frontierschoolofexcellence
Frontier Schools
Website: frontierschools.org
Location: 6800 Corporate Drive, Kansas City, MO, USA
Phone: (816) 982-4052
Facebook: facebook.com/frontierschools
Twitter: @frontierschools