Frontier News

We are proud to recognize and celebrate each of you for the dedication, passion, and hard work you bring to our students and school community each day. Your commitment to excellence and your willingness to go above and beyond do not go unnoticed, and the positive impact you make is felt throughout our schools.

Thank you for everything you do. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition, and we look forward to seeing your continued success at Frontier Schools!

Congratulations to our 2026–26 Staff Support of the Year honorees! We proudly recognize your dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Your efforts behind the scenes and your daily support play a vital role in the success of our students and school community.

While unable to attend the event, we would also like to recognize Nickolas Jahner, FSI-M's 2025–26 Staff Support of the Year honoree.

Thank you for consistently going above and beyond. Your contributions make a meaningful difference every day, and we are honored to celebrate and recognize all that you do!

As part of our Teacher Appreciation Week celebration, we are proud to recognize staff members celebrating milestone years of service with Frontier Schools—5, 10, and 15 years of dedication and commitment.

These milestones represent years of hard work, loyalty, and meaningful contributions to our students and school community. Thank you for all you do and for helping make Frontier Schools a special place to learn and grow. You are truly at the heart of Frontier!

From May 4–8, Frontier Schools proudly celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week, recognizing the dedication, hard work, and lasting impact of our outstanding staff members. Throughout the week, staff enjoyed special treats, surprises, and heartfelt expressions of gratitude for all they do.

On May 5, staff and guests gathered for a memorable evening featuring a catered dinner from Olive Garden, music from a lively DJ, and an atmosphere filled with celebration and appreciation.

The evening concluded with a special awards ceremony honoring employees across the district. Recognitions included Years of Service awards, Support Staff of the Year and Teacher of the Year for each building, and the prestigious District Teacher of the Year award.

On May 20, Frontier School of Excellence celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2026 at Unity Temple on the Plaza, marking an important milestone in the lives of its graduates.

Leading the class academically were Valedictorian Kristopher Caballero, who will attend the University of Missouri–Kansas City to study Finance and Business, and Salutatorian Jonathan Ortiz, who will attend Florida Polytechnic University to pursue a degree in Civil Engineering. Both students exemplify the hard work, determination, and academic excellence that define the Frontier School of Excellence community.

The commencement keynote address was delivered by Ryan Wilson of Saint Louis University, who encouraged graduates to stay connected to their purpose, give back to their communities, and embrace the opportunities and challenges that come with new beginnings. He reminded students that graduation is not an ending, but the start of an exciting new journey.

We are proud of the accomplishments of the Class of 2026 and wish them continued success as they pursue their goals and make a positive impact on the world.

On May 19, Frontier STEM High School proudly celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2026 at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. Surrounded by family, friends, faculty, and community supporters, graduates marked an important milestone as they prepared to begin the next chapter of their lives.

Leading the class academically were Valedictorian Nihal Demircan, who will attend the University of Kansas, and Salutatorian Fatma Sheikhnoor, who will attend the University of Missouri–Kansas City. Both plan to pursue studies in pre-medicine and exemplify the dedication, perseverance, and academic excellence that define the Frontier STEM High School community.

The commencement keynote address was delivered by Councilman Crispin Rea, who challenged graduates to think intentionally about the lives they will create.

"The book in front of you is open, the pages are blank, and you hold the pencil. What will you write?" he asked. He encouraged students to pursue meaningful careers, strong relationships, personal growth, and service to others. While acknowledging that mistakes are inevitable, he reminded graduates that they have the opportunity to learn, grow, and begin again. Most importantly, he urged them to make service a guiding principle in their lives—serving their families, communities, and country while striving for balance and purpose.

As these graduates embark on new journeys in higher education, careers, and beyond, Frontier STEM High School celebrates their accomplishments and looks forward to the positive impact they will make in the world.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! We are proud of your achievements and wish you continued success in all that lies ahead.

Frontier Schools is proud to announce that it has been awarded additional funding through Missouri’s Stronger Connections Grant Program, as recently confirmed by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. This funding will expand student mental health services, support violence prevention efforts, and strengthen safe, positive learning environments across our schools.

In addition, Frontier Schools recently received a generous grant from the Children’s Services Fund of Jackson County, further enhancing the district’s ability to provide critical support services for students and families.

“These programs are essential to creating the best possible environment for our students to succeed,” said Elizabeth Akinde, Director of Student Health, Safety, and Conduct.

Frontier Schools is grateful to the State of Missouri and the Children’s Services Fund of Jackson County for their investment in the well-being, safety, and success of our students. These resources will help ensure that every student has access to the support they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

For many years, AcruxKC has been a dedicated partner in advancing student health and well-being at Frontier Schools. Through its Legacy Grants program, the foundation continues to make a meaningful impact by supporting schools across the region with vital health resources and services.

This year, Frontier Schools is once again a grateful recipient of funding that will help provide health screening equipment, emergency preparedness training and supplies, mental health interventions, and disease prevention initiatives. These investments ensure that students have access to the support and resources they need to learn, grow, and thrive.

“Frontier Schools deeply values its longstanding partnership with AcruxKC and the foundation’s unwavering commitment to student health,” said Melissa Meyer, Social Work Services Coordinator. “Their generosity helps us create healthier, safer, and more supportive environments for our students every day.”

Frontier Schools extends its sincere appreciation to AcruxKC for its continued investment in the health and success of our students.

On May 20th, FSI-Middle 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 2030! We wish you continued success on your journey.

On May 15, Frontier School of Excellence celebrated its 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony, recognizing students for their achievements and growth throughout middle school. Awards and certificates were presented by teachers and administrators as students marked this important milestone and looked ahead to high school.

Congratulations to the Class of 2030! We wish you continued success on your journey.

As the school year comes to a close, FSI-E's 3rd-grade students shared a special musical performance with their fellow elementary students. The songs celebrated their time in elementary school and marked an exciting transition as they prepare to move to the middle school building next year.

The performance was a memorable moment filled with smiles, pride, and anticipation for the journey ahead. A big shout-out to music teacher Mr. Zapata for his hard work and dedication in helping students prepare for this special event.

We are so proud of our 3rd graders and wish them continued success as they begin this exciting new chapter!

On May 15th, 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 21 and the final day of school, students across all Frontier Schools campuses celebrated Field Day with a variety of fun activities and friendly competition. From sports and tug-of-war to dunking teachers and enjoying ice cream and snacks, students spent the day making memories with classmates and staff.

Field Day was the perfect way to wrap up the 2025–26 school year and kick off a well-deserved summer break.

On May 20th, 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! 🌟

We have exciting news to celebrate! Three FSHS seniors — Abigail G., Desiree F., and Dominic M. — have been selected to receive the Henry Bloch Scholarship through MCC.

As Bloch Scholars, they will attend MCC and then have the opportunity to transfer to UMKC to complete their bachelor’s degree tuition-free.

Please join us in congratulating these outstanding students on this incredible achievement. We are extremely proud of their hard work and success!

We recently received fantastic news! A total of 25 Frontier Schools juniors—21 from FSHS and 4 from FSE—have been awarded KC Scholarships, including both Traditional and College-Specific awards. This represents an incredible $1.25 million in scholarship opportunities for our students.

We are extremely proud of our students for this outstanding achievement, and we also want to recognize the counselors, teachers, and staff who supported and guided them throughout the process.

Thank you for the difference you continue to make every day.

From May 15–18, students in grades 6–11 participated in the Summer Leadership Camp at YMCA Camp Lakewood in Potosi, Missouri. The camp provided students with opportunities to develop leadership skills, build friendships, and create lasting memories in an outdoor setting.

Throughout the weekend, students enjoyed a variety of exciting activities, including ziplining, archery, kayaking, swimming, campfires, and team-building challenges. These experiences encouraged personal growth, collaboration, and confidence while allowing students to have fun and connect with their peers.

The Summer Leadership Camp was a rewarding experience for all who attended, and we look forward to seeing how these young leaders continue to grow and make a positive impact in their schools and communities.

From May 15–18, girls in grades 6–11 attended the Summer Leadership Camp at the Wildwood Outdoor Education Center in La Cygne, Kansas. The four-day experience provided students with opportunities to develop leadership skills, build friendships, and challenge themselves through a variety of exciting outdoor activities.

Campers enjoyed ziplining, archery, kayaking, swimming, campfires, and numerous team-building activities designed to strengthen communication, collaboration, and confidence. Throughout the camp, students stepped outside their comfort zones, learned new skills, and created lasting memories with their peers.

The Summer Leadership Camp was a rewarding experience that encouraged personal growth, leadership development, and teamwork while allowing students to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. We are proud of our students for embracing new challenges and representing our school with enthusiasm and positivity.

In May, Frontier STEM High School’s Rocketry Panthers competed at the 2026 American Rocketry Challenge National Finals, representing our school among 1,107 teams nationwide, with only the top 100 reaching the final competition.

Our students delivered an outstanding performance:

• 20th place (Top 2%) – Score: 52.56
• 86th place (Top 10%) – Score: 146.12
• One entry also qualified for the NASA Student Launch Program (Top 25)
  
  

Beyond competition results, students took part in valuable STEM experiences, including “Rockets on the Hill” meetings with STEM leaders, rocket-building activities with aerospace professionals, and visits to the Udvar-Hazy Center and U.S. Capitol.

Students: Dalha A., Sami Y., Sahal A., Abdirahman I., Omar I., Iusuf A., Luis C. P., Fazilat Y., Mercy R., Christian D.
Team: Blake G., Sibel A., Nurlan S., Mehmet A.

A strong showing from our Rocketry Panthers—national-level results, real-world STEM exposure, and a lot to be proud of.

On Saturday, May 2, several FSE high school band students, along with Dr. Lester, Director of Bands & Music, traveled to the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri, to support Karen C. as she competed in the MSHSAA State Solo & Ensemble Competition. Karen C. performed Fantasy Piece by Robert Schumann, representing the FSE Falcon music program on the state stage.

Earning a spot at the state competition is a significant accomplishment. To qualify, students must first receive a Superior (1) rating at the district level — an achievement that requires exceptional talent and preparation. Karen C. made FSE history by becoming the first student to earn a Superior rating at districts in two separate years, accomplishing this feat in both 2023 and 2026.

Karen C. delivered an outstanding performance at the state competition and earned a Satisfactory/Bronze (3) rating. This achievement is especially noteworthy, as no other student in FSE history has received a rating of 1, 2, or 3 at the state level.

Karen’s dedication, talent, and hard work have made her a trailblazer for the FSE music program. Congratulations to Karen C. on this incredible accomplishment and for representing FSE with excellence and pride!

On May 7th, the FSE Spring Concert was a wonderful success, showcasing the talent and hard work of our student musicians.

The middle school band opened the evening with strong performances, including William Tell Overture and Variations on “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” The high school band followed in the second half with an impressive program featuring Malagueña and Pomp and Circumstance. A special highlight of the evening was Malagueña, featuring outstanding solo performances by Renargo M. Jr. and Kristofer C.

The concert also included a band awards presentation and senior celebration, recognizing students for their dedication, growth, and commitment to excellence.

Congratulations to all of our award winners:

• Most Improved Player Award: Genesis
• MVP Award (Middle School): Sephora
• MVP Award (High School): Karen C.
• Best Practicer Award: Ian T.
• Leonard Bernstein Award: Kristofer C.
• John Philip Sousa Award: Rolando
  
  

Congratulations to all of our students for their hard work and an outstanding performance!

We are excited to share that on May 9th, our FSI-M Girls on the Run 5K was a wonderful success!

Throughout the season, our students worked hard to build both their physical endurance and their confidence, character, and self-esteem. Their dedication, teamwork, and growth were on full display during this celebration event.

We are incredibly proud of all they have accomplished this season—congratulations to our Girls on the Run participants!

Since the start of the 2025–26 school year, teachers and staff have completed 772 student visits across 479 homes. These home visits play a vital role in strengthening connections between school and families, helping bridge cultural gaps and build trust. By meeting students in their home environments, staff gain valuable insight that supports stronger relationships and deeper understanding.

A SHOUT-OUT to our teachers & staff! Thank you for everything you do!

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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