About Our Schools
Dexter USD #471, Dexter Kansas
System:
The Dexter school system has dedicated parents, students, patrons, businesses, administration, board of education, and staff. Dexter is unique in its 4-day school week with intense daily schedules and supportive community to see the school succeed. The 4-day school week was originally begun as a cost saving measure in 1981, but has grown to benefit almost everyone involved. We normally begin school a week or two before Labor Day and end sometime before Memorial Day. The school day begins at 8:00AM and ends at 3:45PM for all students. Kindergarten classes attend from 8:00AM to 11:40AM and the special services pre-school also runs in the morning. Each 7-12 grade class is 57 minutes in length with a 15 minute "Activity Period" each afternoon. This is used for catching up on homework, organizational meetings, and one day each week is set aside specifically for staying in the room and reading quietly. Our schools are fully accredited and you may find further information regarding accreditation through a link on the homepage. The first school was reportedly opened in the Spring of 1871.
Facilities:
The elementary building is well maintained, carpeted, with central air and heating, and a library. The classrooms are an "open" style, but the building is well-kept and surprisingly quiet. A modular building houses the K and 1st grade classes. The Jr/Sr High is a relatively new building, having been built in 1981 with a beautiful gymnasium, carpeted classrooms and computerized central air conditioning/heating. We have one full computer lab, music room, library, and home economics room along with our regular classrooms. The elementary also has a full computer lab and the high school English room is equipped with a "writing lab." A separate facility on the property hosts the Industrial Arts building and the old high school gymnasium is available for community use. The former Ike Hoyt Athletic Complex was refurbished with a new, separate, baseball/softball complex built to the southwest of the school, and the new football field running north and south on the far west side behind the high school. The baseball field was first used in May of 2000 and the football field opened on time in August of 2000. In between the two fields is a practice track and football field. A six-bay bus barn was built behind the high school building and was first used during the summer of 2000, and a new roof put on the elementary building.
Curriculum:
We cooperate with the South Central Kansas Service Center and Greenbush Service Center to offer courses on-line through the internet capabilities we have as well as our own well-rounded educational opportunities. We added IDL (Interactice Distance Learning) in the fall of 2008. We also provide a college Vocational program in conjunction with Cowley County Community College. Dexter is also in partnership with the Eastern Cowley County Education Learning Lab - ECCELL - program which serves several communities for seniors to possibly gain credits for graduation and also adults seeking a true high school diploma. This program works through the South Central Kansas Educational Service Center in Clearwater. All curricula corresponds to the state standards in each area. Our schools are IBM computer based with a technology coordinator to oversee the hardware, software, and maintenance of equipment. We have been fortunate enough the past two years to have received quite a bit of funding through a federal grant called E-rate and Board of Education support for updates in supplies and curriculum needs. We offer Spanish I via satellite offered through Kansas State University and also offer Spanish II on-line through K-State as well as other on-line courses as needed to serve our student needs. We have a full time music teacher, counselor, PE, librarian, and special education instructor to go along with our regular curricular areas. The school superintendent serves part-time along with part-time for Cedar Vale and had a full time K-12 principal. There are 5 full time teachers in grades 1-6, a half-time Kindergarten teacher, full-time Title I/Reading Recovery, half-time pre-school teacher, and a yearbook/newspaper advisor. Dexter schools offer NO study halls since we usually have Friday's off and can be best utilized for doing homework. Our teachers, administrators, and board continually update curriculum to fit our local needs and the needs of the world our students live. Our staff strives to stay on top of advances in teaching styles, learning styles, and curriculum standards.
Support and Funding:
The school is publicly supported through a set local tax base and funding from the State of Kansas. Both the elementary and 7-12 schools are fully accredited by the State Board of Education, through the State Department of Education, and are members of the Kansas State High School Activities Association. Dexter Unified School District #471 is also a member of the Cowley County Special Services Cooperative based in Winfield, Kansas, and the South Central Kansas Educational Service Center in Clearwater, KS.
The district is fortunate enough to provide many opportunities for the students academically, socially and athletically. A seven-member Board of Education and Superintendent are in charge of overseeing the district. The board has provided for continuing updates to facilities and curriculum, including new technologies, to help us successfully reach into the 21st century.
Community and school growth have positively impacted our culture to go along with a strong "small town" lifestyle of hard work and positive attitude toward the future of Dexter and our school district. If you would like further information regarding the community or school, contact the Superintendent of Schools at 620-876-5415. You may also write to the superintendent at Dexter Schools, PO Box 97 in Dexter, KS 67038.
