Longfellow Elementary (PK-6)
- NO Tuition
- Availability for 2020-2021
- Transportation provided
- Before and After-Care Available
Quick Facts
Our Mission

Longfellow Elementary School aims to provide a rigorous learning environment that will allow our students to feel safe when challenged. Our school promotes a secure, orderly, caring, and supportive environment. We emphasize the total development of each child: moral, intellectual, social, emotional, and physical well-being by fostering positive relationships with students and staff. It is our goal to have parents, teachers, and community members consistently involved in the students' learning.
Points of Pride
- The students travel to Maker Space, an on hands Science/math initiative, 2x a week.
- The students participate in the LEAD Hawk Program for behavior and academics.
- The school has a dance studio and a soccer field. We partner with the KC Ballet and Alvin Ailey.
School Hours
- School Hours: 8:20 am - 3:20 pm
- Before Care Hours Start: 7:00 am
- After Care Hours End: 6:00 pm
School Details
- Year Established: 1903
- Total Enrollment: 210
- Affiliation: KCPS-Neighborhood
- School Type: KCPS-Neighborhood
Feeder Schools
- Middle School: Central Middle School
- High School: Central Academy of Excellence
Tuition
- Tuition: NO Tuition
Our Demographics
Receive Special Ed Services
English Language Learners
Programs and Features
Specialized Programs
- N/A
Arts Programs
- Instrumental Music
- Poetry
- Visual Arts
Sports Programs
- Baseball
- Basketball (Boys)
- Basketball (Girls)
- Soccer (Boys)
- Soccer (Girls)
Clubs + Activities
- Math Team
- Robotics
- Science Olympiad
- Yoga
Family Engagement
- Evening Family Events
Application Process
Application Details
Although many schools have application deadlines, most continue to accept applications for available seats on an ongoing basis.
- Application Open: December 5, 2019
- Kindergarten Cutoff: July 31, 2020
- Offer Date: March 1, 2021
- Residence: Students live within Longfellow's boundaries in the Central Zone.
How to Apply
Enroll online on the KCPS website
Applications for signature and neighborhood schools open on December 14, 2020
The initial round of applications deadline is February 15, 2021
The week of March 1st, initial seats will be offered, and parents will need to complete the registration form.
You can still apply after the deadline, seats will be offered at a later date.
Submit applications online or in person at the Board of Education building, 2901 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO 64109. Applications CANNOT be submitted at schools.
Student Performance
Standardized Test Results
English
Math
Why It Matters
Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) tests are scored (or graded) according to four achievement levels: Below Basic, Basic, Proficient, and Advanced. The number shown here is the percentage of students who scored Proficient or Advanced. When comparing scores between years, please remember that the test Missouri gives has changed several times.
Please note that private schools are not required to participate in these exams.
In 2019, the average English score in Missouri was 48.7%; the average Math score was 41.9%, source
Attendance Rate 90/90
Why It Matters
Schools strive for students to have at least 90% of their students have 90% attendance because kids learn best when they’re IN school.
In 2019, 87.3% of Missouri students were in attendance at least 90% of the time, source.
Third Grade Reading Scores
Why It Matters
Third grade is the important time when kids switch from learning to read to reading to learn and is an important benchmark for a student’s educational development.
In 2019, the average 3rd grade reading score in Missouri was 48.7%, source
Student Growth
English Language Arts
On Track
Why It Matters
This data determines if individual students, compared to their peers, are making achievement gains over time in English Language Arts.
There are three categories possible: Floor (minimum), On Track (doing just fine), and Exceeding (outperforming their peers).
Mathematics
Floor
Why It Matters
This data determines if individual students, compared to their peers, are making achievement gains over time in Mathematics.
There are three categories possible: Floor (minimum), On Track (doing just fine), and Exceeding (outperforming their peers).
Parent Perspective
Steffany Kerr, Pre-K, Kindergarten, 2nd and 3rd grade parent
My family chose Longfellow due to its proximity, as it is our neighborhood school. Upon touring the school, we were incredibly impressed by the extensive support to Autistic students (I have a child with Autism), and the amazing community at Longfellow. There was also an array of impressive programming and outside community support via grant funding. In addition, I was impressed by the Social Justice and STEM focus of the school.
Peter Retsos, the Longfellow Principal, is incredibly adept at acquiring community support and creative funding for school programming, which is very impressive. I appreciate his leadership skills and approachable personality. The teachers in the building are quite possibly the most passionate group of teachers I have ever seen. Each teacher goes above and beyond in caring for each student, using collaborative practices to meet student needs. Longfellow Elementary has a wonderful, historic auditorium, a newly decorated library, and well-kept classrooms. Outdoor amenities include a brand new soccer field, playground, and open outdoor space with picnic tables.
Longfellow has many opportunities for parent involvement, including monthly family activities, regular SAC meetings, and additional parent volunteer positions. Longfellow administration and staff are not only welcoming of parent support and involvement, but provide a welcoming climate for parent-staff cooperation. Parent involvement opportunities include support with after school and enrichment programming, school fundraising, event planning, SAC meetings, and teacher support. Our enrichment programs include STEM, Social Justice League, Girl Scouts, basketball, spring sports camps, The Mission Continues school improvement projects, partnerships with KU and MU creative programming, partnerships with Hallmark (e.g. reading buddies), and outdoor gardening with water barrels. Longfellow Elementary is a community gem, and fosters true community. The principal is fantastic at finding creative funding and attracting high quality programming.