USD #349 Board Goals Stafford USD No. 349 Board of Education will take steps necessary to educate every child. USD No. 349 Board of Education will continue to: · Recognize the value of authentic engagement in the learning process; · Build upon progressive practices in teaching to empower every student to compete in the global society; · Focus on recruiting and retaining highly qualified personnel; · Maintain high expectations for a positive school and community culture and climate.

Did You Know?

Stafford Schools offers a low student teacher ratio. In our High School, that ratio is 6:1. In our PK-8 classrooms the average is 10:1.

• All students in grades 6-12 have a laptop computer to use 24/7. This district is one of the first in the state to initiate this innovative program, having begun in 2000. Fourth and fifth grade students have a two on one ratio of laptop computers.

• USD #349 has graduated 3 National Merit Scholars in the past three years.

• In two consecutive years, USD #349 was named a "Highly Resource Effective" school in Kansas by Standard & Poor's.

• USD #349 has an active Educational Foundation endowing numerous scholarships for graduates and providing resources needed by staff and students.

• USD #349 is the recipient of a 21st Century Learning Grant. With those resources, the district has started an after-school program for students in grades K-8. It is entitled Shining Through Academics and Relationships at Stafford (STARS).

• USD #349 provides the Parents as Teachers program for families with children ages 0-3.

• USD #349 is the Stafford County home to Head Start and Early Head Start.

• USD #349 has a "Bridges to Learning" Preschool.

• USD #349 offers all day Kindergarten. The district was among the first in the state to do so, this being their 13th year of operation.

• Our high school offers a charter school for students interested in entrepreneurship. It is the Stafford Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (SEED) Center. Students start their own business and become business owners through this program.

• USD #349 includes an Adult Learning Center. This is a high school dropout recovery program that serves the community.

• The elementary school is the site of nice playground equipment, due to the generosity of donations to the Educational Foundation.

• USD #349 was designated by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment as a Kansas Healthy School. Many health initiatives are promoted to the students and community.

• USD #349 students, staff, and families have the capability of participating in Kansas University Tele-medicine education and health consultations - free of charge.

• USD #349 is proud of their state-of-the-art track and track equipment, much of it attained through generous donations.

• Stafford Schools are fortunate to have modern facilities. A few examples: New high school finished in 1999. At the same time additions were added to the elementary school, the cafeteria was completely remodeled, and Central School was "recycled" to house district offices and other classrooms.

• The district is committed to improving the culture and climate of the organization. Student community volunteerism is taught and encouraged. The middle school participates in "Reach for Success." Both the middle school and high school have accepted the well-known "Rachel's Challenge."

• USD #349 offers a low student-teacher ratio.

• Of the district's 32 teachers and administrators, 14 have advanced degrees.

• Nineteen Dual Credit College classes are offered through Pratt Community College.

• The local Board of Education takes leadership training seriously with their commitment to the Kansas Association of School Boards. A former board member was president of KASB. Currently, a board member serves on the KASB Board of Directors, and another is involved at the regional level.

• Stafford High School has an expanded curriculum due to its commitment to technology. Students may take dual credit college classes online. They also have access to Advanced Placement classes. Spanish I-IV classes are offered onsite, and students desiring additional foreign language courses have them available online.