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Longfellow Elementary is a PK-6th grade public elementary school and a part of Kansas City Public Schools. Students at Longfellow live in the surrounding neighborhood or can be bussed to school in grades K-6. All students wear a uniform of khaki or navy pants with white or navy blue tops. -
Dr. Jimmie Bullard is the principal at Longfellow Elementary. She has worked to make Longfellow a community school by building partnerships with local organizations and businesses. -
These Junior Achievement volunteers come regularly to Longfellow Elementary to teach students about entrepreneurship. -
Each morning, students at Longfellow have a morning assembly. Dr. Bullard makes whole school announcements and prepares them for their day. -
In class students work in class as a whole group at the lower elementary level. These first graders are discussing character traits with their teacher. (Note that SMKCS happened to be at Longfellow to photograph on Field Day. Students and teachers were dressed for outdoor fun and not in their usual work clothes or uniforms!) -
As a part of Kansas City Public Schools, there is no charge for lunch or Before and After school care for K-6 students at Longfellow. Workers from LINC oversee after school programming each day. -
Longfellow has teachers that pull out students to work with small groups who need more support in reading and math. -
Here a pull out teacher is working one on one to support a student with reading. -
All students at Longfellow Elementary go to computer lab weekly. There, they work with their teacher to learn computer skills and how to be digital citizens. Students also have opportunities to use the MakerSpace at nearby Operation Breakthrough for projects. -
In upper elementary classrooms, students like these fifth graders work in small groups to complete their assignments. -
Students at Longfellow Elementary are avid readers. Through a partnership with My Very Own Library, students in grades 3-5 get new books to take home three times each year. -
Every student in grades 1-6 has their own computer at Longfellow Elementary. These sixth graders are working together to complete an online game -
In Pre-K and kindergarten classes, students focus less on technology and more on mastering skills. Here are students preparing to watch a sight word video. -
Longfellow has two playgrounds for students. This one is the result of a partnership with Allstate Insurance and is open to all students. -
This playground is smaller and used for Pre-K students only. -
Students at Longfellow Elementary are participants in the Lunch Buddies program. Through it, corporate professionals like this executive from Hallmark Cards come and have lunch with students during the week. -
In class, teachers at Longfellow work hard to make learning relevant and fun for all students. Here a teacher has students make slime as a part of her science lesson. -
In fifth grade, students are playing a game with their teacher to review what they learned from a recent lesson. -
Students at Longfellow Elementary go to Art class weekly. They are also able to participate in Art Club after school. The school has a partnership with Crayola that provided $1500 in art supplies. Artists also come to help students paint murals at school. -
In PE, students work with their teacher to give their brains and their bodies exercise. All students go to PE weekly. -
Students also have a large black top and picnic area where parents can eat with kids during special outdoor events. -
Student at Longfellow are active participants in the Scholastic Book Fair. Here the library is set up for parents and community members to purchase books at the end of the school day. -
Teachers at Longfellow Elementary have worked to create a positive culture of high achievement. Here, students wear t-shirts with the school tagline “I can. I will. I believe. End of story.” -
Students at Longfellow Elementary have a large soccer area that was donated to them by Sporting KC. You can see it in the upper right corner of the screen. -
Parent and community involvement is high at Longfellow Elementary. Parents have organized an active School Advisory Council that oversees Spirit Week, Teacher Appreciation Week, and raises money for school events. They also have a Facebook page and a school newsletter. -
Here a Lunch Buddy jumps rope with Longfellow Elementary students during an all school fun day.
Longfellow Elementary (PK-6)
School Leader(s)
Jimmie Bullard, Principal- NO Tuition
- Availability for 2019-2020
- 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: 241
- Affiliation: 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: August 31, 2019
- Residence: Students live within Longfellow's boundaries in the Central Zone.
How to Apply
Submit applications online or in person at the Board of Education building, 2901 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO 64109. Applications CANNOT be submitted at the school.
Students are guaranteed a seat at their KCPS neighborhood school.
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 2018, the average English score in Missouri was 49.2%; the average Math score was 42.1%, 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 2018, 87.5% 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 2018, the average 3rd grade reading score in Missouri was 48.6%, source
Missouri Annual Performance Report (APR)
Why It Matters
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) creates a “grade” called the Annual Performance Report (APR) for each public school. It is made up of five variables: General Academic Achievement + Subgroup Achievement* + College and Career Readiness + Attendance + Graduation Rate (where applicable).
* Subgroup Achievement: A school shows improvement in performance for students in identified subgroups, including free/reduced price lunch, racial/ethnic background, English language learners, and students with disabilities.
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.