Raytown Quality Schools
6608 Raytown Rd.
(816) 268-7000
www.raytownschools.org
Eight independent elementary schools consolidated in order to provide the best education for their community in 1903, and more than one hundred fifteen years later, eight independent elementary schools consolidated to provide the best education for their community in 1903, and more than one hundred sixteen years later, Raytown Quality Schools continuously renews its vision for quality education during an ever-exciting time of growth and change. Staff and parents challenge students to strive to reach their academic and social potential, and the district helps provide the programs they need to succeed. Raytown is a fully accredited district by both state and national standards.
Throughout the Raytown community, residents have come to “Expect the Exceptional” in both student and staff performance, and they continue a strong tradition of community support.
Raytown Quality Schools has programs that reflect the community’s commitment to education at any age. From early childhood to adult education, nearly everyone can find a program of interest and value.
Our students are driven, high-achieving and keep the quest for excellence alive and well in Raytown. The district is also home to the 2018 National ProStart Culinary Arts Champions and the 2019 National ProStart Culinary Arts second place team. District culinary students train in the state-of-the-art Herndon Career Center Culinary Institute. The institute is home to the student-led restaurant, Cinder. The ribbon cutting for the institute took place in the spring of 2021, with pop-up events happening in the 2022-23 school year. The Herndon Career Center Culinary Institute and Cinder are Strong Bonds, Bright Futures projects.
Several prestigious local, state, and national designations have been awarded to the district in the 2022-23 school year, including: 2022 Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America by the Healthiest Employers for 2023 by the Kansas City Business Journal; the district’s fine arts program received the District Distinction Award from the Missouri Alliance for Arts Education; the district’s music education program received the Best Communities for Music Education designation from the NAMM Foundation; and the finance department received the Meritorious Budget Award from the Association of the School Business Officials International.
The Quality Care Clinic, operated by Premise Health, and Raytown Schools Wellness Center opened during the 2015-16 school year. The Raytown Quality Care Clinic has continued to provide exceptional levels of service to medical plan enrolled employees, pre-Medicare retirees, and family members, since 2015. 2022 data indicates that 99.7% of patients rated services as good/excellent, were likely/very likely to return, and would recommend the clinic to others. Since opening, employees have saved over an estimated $772,400 in out-of-pocket expenses by utilizing the clinic. The Raytown Wellness Center, free of charge to all full-time employees of the district, had 1,680 district memberships as of September 2023.
The district’s commitment to keeping students and staff safe can be witnessed through the construction of guided entries in buildings, installation of the Barracuda Intruder Defense system and the use of Raptor, a visitor monitoring system, which checks in visitors to the school by scanning a valid state ID and obtaining a background check almost immediately.
The district boasts a robust 1:1 technology device program that supports students of all ages. The district is also a recipient of the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) Trusted Learning Environment Seal, recognizing the district’s commitment to ensuring the privacy and security of student data. The district also received the Common Sense Media certification for taking a whole-community approach to preparing students to use digital media to explore, create, connect, and learn.
One of the hallmarks of the district’s instruction is its ability to offer specialized programs designed to meet a variety of student needs, such as the Advanced programs offered by the district that provides students the opportunity to earn college credit. Herndon Career Center prepares students for iimmediate employment after gradduaction, or a head start on college hours. The Southland Center of Advanced Professional Studies (Southland CAPS) program offers five different strands of learning opportunities for students, including: Animal Health Sciences, Business Innovation and Creation, Education Exploration, Technology Solutions, and Turf Management and Horticulture. Students work with industry partners learning more about problem-solving and meeting deadlines.
New Trails Early Learning Center and Three Trails Preschool house a free half-day preschool program open to all 4-year-olds in Raytown.
Raytown Success Academy ensures that students who need additional supports in conventional classroom situations receive other opportunities for success. Complete special education services are available to students requiring these programs, with many spending time in the regular education classroom setting. Additionally, Northwood School serves students with disabilities who live within the district’s attendance boundaries.
The district is also known for its support systems for teachers both new to the profession and experienced. Extensive staff development with a research base is prevalent throughout all academic areas. Collaboration among educators, parents, and others who live and work in the district boundaries, has created a sense of community, with the common goal being student success.
DISTRICT AT-A-GLANCE, 2023-2024 as of September 2023
PK-12 Enrollment – approximately 8,000
Full-time and part-time employee – approximately 1,630
Schools: Ten elementary schools, three middle schools, two high schools, one alternative school, early childhood services, a school for students with severe disabilities, and a vocational school serving six districts.
Private Schools
In addition to the Raytown Quality School District, several private and parochial schools serve the community. Students from Raytown and the surrounding areas benefit from the high quality of education these schools provide.
Heart of America Christian Academy
(816) 356-6380
7600 Blue Ridge Blvd KCMO 64138
Islamic School of Greater Kansas City
(816) 763-0322
8505 E. 99th Street KCMO 64134
St. Regis Academy
(816) 763-5837
8941 James A. Reed Rd KCMO 64138
Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic High School
(816) 763-4800
2901 NW Lee’s Summit Rd. LSMO 64064
Colleges & Universities
Located in the southern metropolitan area, Metropolitan Community College-Longview is a 15-minute drive for students from the area. Boasting more than 4,100 students, Longview has built a tradition of excellence that includes exceptional transfer programs in the arts, business, science and engineering and an accredited automotive technology program for those seeking hands on job skills. It is also the first community college ever selected as a TIME/The Princeton Review College of the Year. Only the best colleges and universities in the nation receive this honor.
University of Missouri, University of Central Missouri, Avila University, Rockhurst College, Columbia College, DeVry Institute of Technology, Aviation Institute of Maintenance all have campuses within driving distance of Raytown.
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