Today we’d like to introduce you to Eudora Schools USD 491.
Hi Eudora Schools, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Every Cardinal’s journey begins differently, but the spirit behind each story is remarkably similar. In Eudora, students don’t just pass through a school system – they become part of a legacy rooted in pride, community, and shared identity. And at the heart of that identity is the Eudora Cardinal.
The Cardinal is far more than a mascot on a wall or a symbol on a jersey. It represents the values that shape everyone who walks through the halls of Eudora Schools. From the moment a student enters the district, they are linked to generations of Cardinals who came before them and to those who will follow. As Cardinals grow, they learn not only academics but also what it truly means to belong to a community that supports and celebrates them.
Over time, these experiences mold individuals into confident, capable citizens. No matter where life leads: a new city, a new career, a new chapter, the core values gained here remain steady. The Cardinal spirit becomes a lifelong connection.
When people speak of Eudora Schools, they speak of more than a district; they speak of a family. The Cardinal is a reminder that every student, graduate, staff member, and community member carries the same legacy.
Once a Cardinal, Always a Cardinal is a truth lived out in every story.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The Eudora School District is committed to continuous improvement that meets every student where they are. With guidance from our Board of Education, we follow a strategic plan centered on belonging, excellence, and growth. Together, we are building systems that elevate learning and prepare every student for future success.
“Every student in Eudora Schools is known by name, strength, and need, and graduates prepared for the future they choose.” This is Our Promise.
Our Promise reflects the heart of the Cardinal spirit: belonging, support, and opportunity. At its core, Our Promise is a commitment to continuous improvement and an ongoing effort to strengthen practices and elevate learning for our future.
These commitments matter now more than ever. As society changes at an unprecedented pace, education must remain flexible and adaptive. Students are growing up in an ever-shifting landscape shaped by new technologies, evolving workforce demands, and rapidly changing social expectations. To prepare them for futures we cannot fully predict, schools must continually refine their practices, respond to emerging needs, and create learning environments that are both stable and responsive. Our Promise positions Eudora to do exactly that, ensuring every student is supported in a world that is constantly changing.
What “Our Promise” does to support our Cardinals:
Fostering a Culture of Belonging – The plan emphasizes a welcoming community where each student feels known, supported, and empowered to engage, lead, and thrive. Our team continuously looks for opportunities to foster family partnerships, improve student attendance and participation in activities, clubs, and mentoring, as well as engage in opportunities to enhance their learning habits and leadership skills. We have over 90% of our families participating in prekindergarten-12th grade parent-teacher conferences, are working to reduce our chronic absenteeism from 15% to 10% across the district, and have over 95% of students participating in activities, clubs, organizations, and/or mentorship.
Prioritizing Instructional Excellence – By investing in high-quality instructional materials, structured literacy, coherent curricula, and ongoing professional development, the district aims to give every student equitable access to high-level learning. Our walkthrough focus is Every Teacher, Every Day, which keeps us grounded in what matters most-understanding student learning and continually supporting our teachers through connections, feedback, and coaching.
Preparing for the Future — Recognizing that not all Cardinal journeys end in the same way, the plan ensures graduates are ready for whatever path they choose. At Eudora High School, Cardinal U expands those opportunities by allowing students to earn college credit, career and technical education certifications, and real-world experience through partnerships with universities and technical schools.
Beyond the classroom, our community continues to rally around student success. The Eudora Schools Foundation (ESF) plays a key role by funding classroom grants, offering Lunch-and-Learn opportunities that connect students with local experts, and most recently bringing to students a scholarship funded by Truity Credit Union to help EHS students earn college credit while still in high school. Also, this year’s Community Giving Day raised $84,000, demonstrating just how deeply Eudora believes in its schools. Alongside that effort, our Employee Giving Campaign contributed another $15,000, providing support for anything our students and staff may need.
Together, these investments show what #EudoraProud looks like in action—an entire community working side-by-side to open doors, remove barriers, and ensure every Cardinal has a path to thrive.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Eudora Schools is committed to supporting the whole child, academically, socially, and emotionally, while maintaining the welcoming culture that makes Eudora special. From the earliest years through high school graduation, our district works intentionally to provide safe, engaging environments that empower students to explore their strengths, develop essential skills, and prepare for a successful future.
Our Eudora Early Learning Center lays the foundation for that success. We are proud to be the only preschool in the state of Kansas offering universal full-day preschool for all 3- and 4-year-olds, along with extended summer and after-school programming that supports families year-round. The curriculum follows the Kansas Early Learning Standards and focuses on early childhood development, school readiness, and socialization skills.
At Eudora Elementary School, our focus is on ensuring that every child gains the foundational academic skills and learning habits essential for lifelong growth. We are approaching 100% of eligible staff being trained in structured literacy. The team is responsive in early intervention through dedicated support with high-quality practices and utilizes professional learning communities to focus on data-based decision making, which has led to continuous improvement in literacy and math skills.
Eudora Middle School is centered on belonging, connection, and skill-building during a critical stage of development. EMS strives to ensure that every student feels welcomed, valued, and part of a community that believes in their potential. Staff equip students with the academic tools, interpersonal skills, and confidence they need to navigate adolescence successfully and transition into high school prepared and ready for new challenges. Each grade level focuses on different components of an Individual Plan of Study, engaging every learner in building the skills, knowledge, and plans for future success, and taking part in activities such as career awareness, résumé building, CTE immersion days at EHS, and learning about various postsecondary pathways.
At Eudora High School, our commitment is to prepare students for life after graduation, whether their pathway leads to college, careers, technical training, or other opportunities. Through career pathways, partnerships, and strong academic coursework, students gain practical skills, self-advocacy strategies, and clarity about their future goals. The focus is on ensuring every graduate leaves EHS confident, capable, and ready to succeed in whichever direction they choose.
Together, each school within Eudora Schools contributes to our district’s mission to empower students from early childhood through young adulthood.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.eudoraschools.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theeudoraschools/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eudoraschools/
- Twitter: https://x.com/EudoraSchools
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@eudoraschools
