District

Our mission at Derby Public Schools is to create a safe and inclusive culture and a comprehensive educational experience that propels students toward their fullest potential so they can positively impact their community.

Derby Public Schools combines academic excellence with a wide range of unique opportunities, empowering students to thrive both inside and outside the classroom. Derby, with a population of over 26,000, is a supportive community with access to many activities for people of all ages. Derby Public Schools has nine elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. Our award-winning schools are made possible by incredible educators and administrators, parents, support staff and the supportive community. Thanks to community support in 2018, Derby Public Schools was fortunate to pass a $114 million bond that enhanced facilities with new construction, intruder locks, storm shelters, Americans with Disabilities Act accessible playgrounds and more.

To help ensure access to the latest technology, our students are provided with iPads (2:1 Early Childhood-1st) and Chromebooks (1:1 2nd-12th). Other technology resources are available throughout the district, including SMART Boards, Apple TVs and much more. Our educators have the opportunity to provide input into the curriculum, which becomes part of Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways.

CTE offers a diverse range of subjects and career fields, including a number of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects. Students can begin work in CTE with two courses offered in middle school and continue their work in the 17 pathways offered at Derby High School. Completion of a pathway provides students with preparation for college and careers after high school. Each of the Pathways has Articulation Agreements, which allow students to earn college credit for courses completed at DHS, provided the student attends the college that offered the credit.

Students can find success in their specific area of interest through many of these pathways, Individual Plans of Study (IPS), Work-Based Learning and involvement in award-winning organizations, activities, athletic programs and other expansive opportunities. One example is Derby High School’s Air Force JROTC, Kansas 61st. This program has earned the honor of Distinguished Unit, 20 of the last 21 years and the "Silver Star" Community Service Excellence Award (paused one year due to COVID-19). Cadets proudly complete over 4,000 hours of community service each school year! Leaders rise in Derby Public Schools.

Our Board of Education is committed to ensuring all students continually grow and learn by looking at ways to enhance educational opportunities within the district. With support of the Board and a planning team, a strategic plan is in place, designed to be a roadmap for the district for 2022-2027. The plan articulates a common foundation of expectations and goals in place to prepare our students and staff for success. Proactive strategies were developed and the specific action plans are in progress to produce incredible results district-wide.

About Our District

Curriculum is the Core

Derby Public Schools is dedicated to academic excellence, offering a wide range of educational services from an award-winning National Blue Ribbon Parents As Teachers program to serving early childhood/pre-kindergarten to grade 12. Services include but are not limited to, Special Education, an online virtual E-Academy, an alternative learning center and extensive Career and Technical Education pathways. The district has integrated innovative STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) programs at the elementary level and essential Social-Emotional Learning initiatives district-wide. The district emphasizes career pathways and practical learning experiences, such as on-site courses offered through WSU Tech where students can become Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) while still in high school. Collaboration also occurs with multiple community and postsecondary institutions, including Wichita State University, Butler Community College and local worked-based learning partners such as the City of Derby. Additionally, we offer Special Education postsecondary transition services, including Project LIFE and Project SEARCH, designed to provide students with disabilities (18-21-year-olds) with real-world experiences to prepare for a smooth transition from high school academics to adult life. Notably, this Project SEARCH partnership with McConnell Air Force Base was the first in the nation on a military installation.

Support for Special Populations

Derby Public Schools is committed to providing services for students who have unique learning needs. Derby offers support for students who are English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and for those who require specifically designed instruction in the least restrictive environment based on a disability or exceptionality. The district strives to ensure all students have access to curriculum in a manner that helps reach individual goals.

Early Childhood Opportunities

Derby Public Schools is proud to offer several different early childhood learning programs. These programs meet the social, emotional and educational needs of a variety of students. Please see below and to the right to learn more about the various opportunities available in our district and to see if your child may qualify.

Early Childhood Special Education (serves ages 3-Kindergarten entry)
Peer Model Program (serves ages 3-Kindergarten entry)
Full-Day Pre-K (must be 4 prior to August 31, 2026)
Early Childhood Block Grant Program (must be 4 prior to August 31, 2026)
TOP Early Learning Center (must be 4 prior to August 31, 2026)
Parents As Teachers (from pregnancy to age 5)
Wee Panther Pals (serves ages 3-Kindergarten entry)

Positive School Culture

Cooperative relationships are an integral part of a positive school experience. Through the district’s Strategic Plan, a School Climate and Culture Advisory Council was developed from diverse stakeholders in our schools and community to support positive student, staff and parent satisfaction with the culture of schools.

Character Strong is the district-wide Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Curriculum. Character Strong is designed to build social and emotional skills, develop character, and strengthen educator-student relationships. Character Strong is more than a set of lessons - it is a partnership between schools and families to create a place where students feel like they belong and learn skills that will help them be the best they can be. This curriculum has three main goals for students: Be Kind, Be Strong and Be Well. Leader in Me is also embedded into Freshmen Reality 101 and Junior Reality courses.

Additionally, staff frequently recognize and reward students who demonstrate positive problem-solving strategies and good teamwork. School Resource Officers (SROs) are integrated into schools to help ensure safety in our buildings. School safety and positive, productive relationships among students, staff and all members of the community are a top priority.

Why Choose Derby?

With award-winning schools that house a dedicated and highly-educated team of staff who are ready to help your student reach their fullest potential, your student will have excellent opportunities. Our district is proud to offer a place for your student to grow and learn in a safe and supportive community with unique program offerings and experiences.

Derby Public Schools Honors and Recognitions

Project Lead the Way Distinguished Schools

2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 - Cooper, Derby Hills, El Paso, Oaklawn, Park Hill, Swaney, Tanglewood, Wineteer Elementary Schools
2025, 2026 - Stone Creek Elementary
2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 - Derby High School

Civic Advocacy Network

Schools of Excellence - Derby Hills, Park Hill, Swaney and Tanglewood Elementary Schools, Derby North Middle School
School of Promising Practice - Derby High School

Kansas Teacher of the Year Finalists

Susan Rogers, 1st Grade Teacher at Derby Hills Elementary, has been named the Region 4 Elementary Finalist for the 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year award! She is now in the running to be named the 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year. This marks the second consecutive year a Derby educator has earned this distinction, following Olivia Winegeart's, former Cooper Elementary teacher, recognition in 2025.
The Kansas Teacher of the Year award honors outstanding teaching across both elementary and secondary classrooms statewide.

Seal of Biliteracy

2017 - German, Spanish
2021 - German, Spanish
2022 - English, Spanish
2023 - English, Spanish, German, Portuguese

Kansans Can Star Recognition Program

Through the Kansans Can Star Recognition Program, the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) recognizes the exceptional work school districts are doing to reach the state’s vision for education - Kansas leads the world in the success of each student.

2019 - Copper Star Award, Commissioner’s Award
2020 - Bronze Graduation, Copper Civic Engagement, Copper Social-Emotional Growth
2021 - Bronze Graduation, Copper Academically Prepared for Postsecondary, Copper Civic Engagement, Bronze Social-Emotional Growth
2022 - Bronze Graduation, Bronze Civic Engagement, Bronze Social-Emotional Growth, Copper Individual Plans of Study
2023 - Silver Social-Emotional Growth, Copper Individual Plan of Study, Bronze Civic Engagement, Bronze Graduation
2024 - Silver Social-Emotional Growth, Bronze Individual Plan of Study, Bronze Civic Engagement
2025 - Silver Social-Emotional, Silver Individual Plan of Study, Silver Civic Engagement, Bronze Graduation, Bronze Kindergarten Readiness

By The Numbers

Graduation Rate (2025)	95.2%
Total Students	7,326
Students With Exceptionalities	1,530
Home Languages	34
Certified & Classified Staff	1,298
Average Number of School Meals Served Daily	5,844
Transportation Miles Driven Each School Day	2,645
Strategic Plan Committee Member Volunteers	321

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