Frontier News

At Frontier School of Innovation-Elementary, we are honored to have some extraordinary educators as part of our community. One specific educator is Ms. Brooklyn Hernandez, a dedicated educator and a pillar of support for both students and staff.

As an exceptional educator, Ms. Hernandez has a growth mindset and believes that all students have the ability to learn and overcome challenges. To make these things possible, she sets clear, achievable goals for each child. She has a nurturing personality that creates an environment where all students feel valued, understood, and motivated to learn.

Congratulations, Ms. Hernandez!

We are proud to recognize each of you for going above and beyond in your dedication to students, excellence in teaching, and commitment to our school community. Your hard work and passion have not gone unnoticed.

Thank you for all you do—congratulations on this well-deserved honor, and here’s to your continued success at Frontier Schools!

Congratulations to our 2024–25 Staff Support of the Year honorees! Your dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence have made a lasting impact on our students and school community.

Thank you for consistently going above and beyond—your efforts truly make a difference, and we are proud to celebrate you!

As part of our Teacher Appreciation Week celebration, we proudly continue our tradition of recognizing staff members who are marking their 5th, 10th, or 15th year with Frontier Schools.

These milestones reflect more than just time—they represent years of loyalty, dedication, and meaningful contributions to our students and school community. We are deeply grateful for the continued commitment of these outstanding educators and staff members who help make Frontier one of the top school systems in Kansas City.

Thank you for your service—you are the heart of Frontier Schools!

From May 5th to 9th, Frontier Schools celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week, honoring the hard work and dedication of their incredible staff. The week was filled with special perks, surprises, and gratitude.

On May 6th, staff and guests gathered for a memorable evening featuring a delicious catered dinner from Jack Stack BBQ and Jerusalem Cafe. The celebration was made even more special with a live performance by the Falcon Band from Frontier School of Excellence.

The night concluded with a heartfelt awards ceremony recognizing staff across the district. Awards included Years of Service, Support Staff of the Year for each campus, Teacher of the Year for each building, and the prestigious District Teacher of the Year.

It was a joyful and inspiring evening, celebrating the people who make Frontier Schools a truly exceptional place to learn and grow.

On May 12th, Frontier Schools proudly hosted the 2024–25 Parent/Volunteer Champions Banquet to honor the incredible parents and volunteers who generously give their time to support our schools.

Planned and executed by Mr. Taslama, Director of College and Career Success, and his team, the event featured a catered lunch from Olive Garden, recognition awards, and custom volunteer t-shirts that all attendees proudly wore.

Several parents also took the opportunity to share heartfelt words about why they love being part of the Frontier Schools community—making the celebration even more meaningful.

We are deeply thankful for our volunteers’ ongoing dedication. Their support continues to make a powerful impact on our students and schools!

On May 7, Commissioner of Education Karla Eslinger and Chief of Staff Emily Manley visited Frontier STEM High School for a tour. During their visit, they explored student-led STEM stations featuring innovative, hands-on projects that showcased our students’ creativity and problem-solving skills.

The visit concluded with a brief meeting with school administrators to discuss student engagement and STEM education.

We’re grateful to Commissioner Eslinger and Chief Manley for taking the time to connect with our students and staff—your support is truly appreciated!

On May 20th, Frontier School of Excellence held its graduation ceremony at Unity Temple on the Plaza, celebrating a major milestone for the Class of 2025.

Valedictorian Brisa Bautista will attend MCCKC to pursue Nursing, while Salutatorian Laila Spurlock is also headed to MCCKC to study Chemistry—both are outstanding examples of dedication, perseverance, and academic excellence.

During the Frontier School of Excellence Class of 2025 graduation, keynote speaker Ryan Wilson, M.Ed., Senior Director of Community and Student Engagement, School of Education, delivered an inspiring address on the theme of “Time.” Sharing his own journey, Wilson urged graduates to use their time wisely, pursue their passions, and invest in their communities—reminding them that time, not money, is life’s greatest gift.

We’re proud of our graduates and wish them continued success in all their future endeavors!

On May 22nd, Frontier STEM High School held its graduation ceremony at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. Surrounded by proud family and friends, the event was a joyful celebration of achievement and new beginnings.

Valedictorian Yamilet Rodriguez and Salutatorian Hail Keles, both headed to the University of Missouri–Kansas City, exemplify outstanding academic achievement and dedication to their studies.

The keynote address was delivered by Kansas City Mayor Pro-Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw, who shared an inspiring message: “You don’t have to be perfect—the world will accept you as you are.”

We’re proud of each graduate and wish them continued success on their next journey!

We’re proud to announce that several students from Frontier School of Excellence and Frontier STEM High School have been awarded KC Scholars scholarships!

At FSE, juniors received $50,000 toward college, while freshmen earned $1,400 to support their future educational goals.

At FSHS, 23 juniors were selected as KC Scholars Awardees, and one freshman received the prestigious College Match Award!

Please join us in congratulating all these outstanding students for their hard work and bright futures ahead!

On May 27, all Frontier campuses participated in a Professional Development Day focused on a variety of impactful topics. Sessions included Verizon Innovative Learning Schools (VILS), Lesson Prep, CharacterPlus, Sensory Awareness and Regulation, and Strategic Self-Care for Secondary Trauma, among others. These trainings provided staff with valuable tools to support both student success and personal well-being.

On May 23, FSI Middle hosted its annual Talent Show, showcasing a wide range of impressive performances. Students wowed the audience with dancing, singing, piano playing, and more—even some staff members took the stage to join in the fun! It was a fantastic celebration of creativity and school spirit.

Bayer, through its Bayer Fund, has been a dedicated philanthropic partner in advancing local STEM initiatives—and for over four years, Frontier Schools has been proud to be one of their favored charities.

Most recently, the Bayer Fund contributed to the construction of a new greenhouse on campus, located between the STEM Innovation Lab and the elementary school. “This exciting addition will significantly enhance our Earth sciences program,” said Dr. Geyik, Director of STEM Education.

Pictured outside the greenhouse under construction are Dr. Geyik and Mary Claire Archer, Bayer’s Director of Communication, Change Management, and External Relations.

We’re deeply grateful to Bayer for their continued partnership and meaningful investment in our students’ growth and learning!

Frontier Schools is proud to welcome Meta as its newest partner in supporting STEM education. Through its Data Center Community Action Grants program, Meta provides funding to nonprofits and schools to help strengthen the long-term vitality of STEM in the Kansas City area.

Frontier Schools was recently awarded a Meta grant to support student participation in STEM competitions across the country. Most recently, this funding helped send a student team to Dallas to compete in the World VEX Robotics Championship.

“Without generous corporate support like this, our ability to send students and faculty to such valuable learning experiences would be far more limited,” said Superintendent Mr. Demircan.

The grant was officially presented by Meta Community Development representative Stef Segar during a visit to the school’s STEM Innovation Lab, where she met with Superintendent Demircan and school board member Cesar Sea.

We are grateful to Meta for their investment in our students' futures and their commitment to advancing STEM education in our community.

The 2024–2025 VEX Robotics season is officially underway, and we’re proud to celebrate our two teams—TechTigers (James, Cemal, Rico, Omar), this year’s Missouri State Champions, and The Queens (Eqlas, Umsun, Rabia, Meryem)—who represented Frontier Schools at the 3-day World Championship in Dallas, Texas!

Eight students from 4th–6th grade, along with coaches Mrs. Breslin and Ms. Demircan, gained valuable experience by collaborating with alliance partners and practicing alongside teams from nearly 50 countries, including Ireland, China, and Canada.

The TechTigers finished 55th, and The Queens placed 66th—an amazing accomplishment on the world stage!

Special thanks to our incredible coaches for their support and guidance throughout the journey. We’re so proud of our teams! 🚀👏

Recently, Frontier’s Drone Club showcased impressive skill and teamwork at the final aerial drone competition in Houston. Out of 55 of the top regional teams, our students placed 21st—a proud accomplishment, especially after overcoming unexpected challenges.

During one of the teamwork matches, a teammate was unable to compete, requiring the remaining students to complete the round solo. Despite this, they earned one of the highest possible scores for that match!

The team also stood out during the communication and interview segment. Judges praised their interview as one of the best of the competition—earning them a rare second-round invitation, typically reserved for finalists.

While they narrowly missed advancing to the quarterfinals, this experience was a powerful example of our students’ dedication, professionalism, and perseverance. We’re incredibly proud of their performance and can’t wait to see what they’ll achieve next season!

FSE’s Track team had an incredible showing at the MSHSAA District Meet in Chillicothe on May 11. After a full day of competition and sunshine, the team brought home medals—and four athletes are advancing to Sectionals at Archie High School!

The Boys 4x800 relay team (Merwis R., Dejuan H., Alan S., Nordin G.) set a new school record with a time of 9:07, shattering the previous record by 21 seconds.

Michell S. also broke her own school record in the 200m run, capping off a meet where FSE athletes set 13 personal records overall.

We’re so proud of their hard work, grit, and school spirit—congratulations, Panthers!

On May 12, our Pre-K students gave their final performance of the year, delighting families with songs, smiles, and lots of heart. After the performance, parents were invited to the elementary building for refreshments and celebration.

It was a joyful sendoff as our little learners get ready to take the next big step—kindergarten! Congratulations to our Pre-K students and families!

On May 9th, graduating seniors from Frontier STEM High School donned their caps and gowns for the beloved Senior Parade through FSI Elementary and Middle Schools.

As the seniors walked the halls to the sound of “Pomp and Circumstance,” they were met with cheers, clapping, and high fives from younger students and staff. The parade gave seniors a chance to reconnect with former teachers and serve as role models for the next generation of students.

This heartwarming annual tradition brings smiles to every corner of the building and reminds us all of the incredible journey from elementary school to graduation.

Congratulations to our senior students who recently earned their Grow with Google – Applied Digital Skills Certificates of Completion!

This achievement reflects their dedication and growing expertise in essential digital tools—skills that will serve them well in both college and career pathways. It’s also a strong addition to their résumés as they prepare for life after high school.

We’re proud of their hard work—way to go, seniors!

On May 22nd, FSI Elementary students proudly celebrated their accomplishments during our annual Growth Parade! Each class marched through the hallways holding posters that highlighted their hard work, while fellow students and staff lined the halls to cheer them on. It was a fun and uplifting way to recognize a year full of growth and success! 🌟

On May 13th, Ms. Molina, Gifted & Talented Coordinator at FSI Elementary, hosted an inspiring Gifted & Talented Showcase for students and families from both FSI Elementary and Middle Schools.

Held in the Innovation Lab, students proudly presented their creative projects, engaging parents and guests with their thoughtful work and presentations. The evening was made even more special with a delicious dinner from Olive Garden, provided by the school and enjoyed by all in attendance.

It was a wonderful celebration of student talent, creativity, and community!

On Monday, May 12th, FSI Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society proudly inducted its newly elected executive officers for the 2025–2026 school year. The ceremony marked a meaningful moment as each student took a solemn pledge to lead with dedication and integrity.

Following the induction, families joined in celebrating the occasion with a sweet ice cream social, making the evening even more memorable.

2025–2026 NJHS Executive Officers:
✨ President – Sophia L.
✨ Vice President – Dyland L.
✨ Secretary – Allana M.
✨ Treasurer – Leonardo V.
✨ Historian – Jocelyn L.

The NJHS chapter is guided by dedicated advisors Ms. Oren and Mr. Gorbet. We look forward to a great year ahead under this strong new leadership!

On May 16, Frontier School of Excellence celebrated its 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony. Students were recognized with awards and certificates from their teachers and administrators, marking the end of their middle school journey. The event was filled with pride and excitement as these students now look ahead to their next big step—high school! Congratulations to the Class of 2029!

On May 20, FSI Middle celebrated its 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony with pride and enthusiasm. Students were honored with certificates and special awards from their teachers and administrators, recognizing their hard work and achievements. The ceremony marked a meaningful milestone as students bid farewell to middle school and look forward to the exciting challenges of high school. Congratulations to the Class of 2029!

On May 23, Frontier Schools celebrated the last day of school with a district-wide Field Day across all campuses! Students and staff enjoyed a day full of exciting activities, including Tug of War, Balloon Toss, Badminton, Dunk Tank, Bouncy Houses, Hungry Hippo, and much more.

It was the perfect way to wrap up the school year—with laughter, teamwork, and lots of fun!

From May 16–19, Frontier students in grades 6–12 participated in this year’s Summer Leadership Camp at YMCA Camp Lakewood in Potosi, Missouri.

Students enjoyed an action-packed weekend filled with ziplining, archery, kayaking, swimming, campfires, and a variety of team-building activities designed to build confidence, leadership skills, and lasting friendships.

Both students and staff had an unforgettable experience, making memories and learning valuable lessons that will last a lifetime!

We’re always proud to celebrate the accomplishments of our Frontier alumni who are using their talents to make a meaningful impact.

This month’s Alumni Spotlight features Ayde Montelongo, a 2021 graduate of Frontier STEM High School. Ayde is now part of the Frontier family once again—this time as a Finance & Operations Assistant at FSI Middle.

Watch the video below to hear Ayde share how her experiences at FSHS helped shape her path and prepared her for success beyond high school.

Teachers and school staff have visited 1012 students in 540 homes since the start of the 2024-25 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!

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!

Email: fsi@frontierschools.org
Location: 6700 Corporate Drive, Kansas City, MO, USA
Phone: (816) 363-1907
Facebook: facebook.com/frontierschoolofinnovation

Email: fsi@frontierschools.org
Location: 1575 Universal Avenue, Kansas City, MO, USA
Phone: (816) 241-6202
Facebook: facebook.com/frontierschoolofinnovation

Email: infostem@frontierschools.org
Location: 6455 East Commerce Avenue, Kansas City, MO, USA
Phone: (816) 541-8200
Facebook: facebook.com/frontierstemhighschool

Email: fse@frontierschools.org
Location: 5605 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, MO, USA
Phone: (816) 822-1331
Facebook: facebook.com/frontierschoolofexcellence

Website: frontierschools.org
Location: 6800 Corporate Drive, Kansas City, MO, USA
Phone: (816) 982-4052
Facebook: facebook.com/frontierschools
Twitter: @frontierschools