Spring Break will take place Monday, March 30, through Friday, April 3. All Kearney School District campuses and offices will be closed during that time. Visit our website to view the complete 2025-2026 Academic Year Calendar. We hope our students, families and staff enjoy a safe, restful and enjoyable break!
Get Your Tickets Today to Cheer On Team Bulldogs vs. the Harlem Wizards!
This fundraiser supports the KSD Education Foundation for important initiatives like classroom grants, scholarships, and the Grow Your Own program, which helps our students pursue careers in public education. It also directly benefits KHS Boys Basketball team as an event co-host! Thank you for helping us turn a great night into real support for students!
KHS Journalism Students Earn State Honors at Mizzou
Kearney High School’s broadcast and yearbook students turned in an impressive performance at the recent 2026 Journalism Day event at the University of Missouri, the state competition for scholastic journalism programs.
Competing in the Medium Schools classification against schools with enrollments of 700 to 900 students, KHS earned honors across a wide range of broadcast, design and photography categories.
Leading the way were two All-Missouri first-place finishes. Ryan Pedee and Zach Service earned top honors in Live Sports Talent, while Connor Ethen captured first place in Traditional Yearbook Package Clubs/Organizations for “Marching Band.” KHS students also earned multiple Superior (second-place) awards, including Archer Schmidt and Rubi Canales for Yearbook Sports Spread Design for “Men’s Swim,” Rubi Canales for Yearbook Portrait Spread Design for “Junior Portrait Mod,” and Thomas Smithmier for Broadcast News Story for “Missouri House Bill 2230.” In addition, the KHS staff earned Superior honors for Broadcasting Announcements with Video and Live Sports Team Broadcast for “Savannah at Kearney Football.”
KHS also brought home a strong group of Excellent (third-place) finishes. Avery Pickering and Lyla Wagner were recognized for Yearbook Sports Spread Design for “Softball,” Harrison Young earned honors for Broadcast Human Interest Feature for “Robotics Kick Off,” Jordyn Doitchinoff and Kinsley Walters were recognized for Yearbook Sports Spread Design for “Women’s Volleyball,” and Jordyn Doitchinoff also placed for Sports Action Photo for “Men’s Basketball.” The KHS staff was additionally recognized for Overall Yearbook Theme/Concept for “While We’re Here.”
Additional Honorable Mention honors went to Elizabeth Jarvis for Sports Feature/Reaction Photo for “Men’s Basketball Student Section,” Kyle Walker for Portrait Photo for “Homecoming Parade,” and Libby Dodson for Student Life Photo for “Broadway vs Decades Choir.”
Congratulations to all of these students and to KHS Publications/Broadcasting Teacher Jackie Uptegrove on a tremendous showing at one of Missouri’s premier student journalism competitions.
KHS Girls Wrestling Pins Down More Postseason Honors
Kearney High School Girls Wrestling continues to earn well-deserved recognition following another outstanding season, with Bulldog student-athletes and coaches bringing home honors at the conference, district and state levels.
These awards reflect the strength of a program that continues to set a high standard through talent, discipline and consistent excellence.
Eight Bulldogs were named All-Conference First Team: Rebecca Lafollette, Zolah Williams, Myla Woolridge, Riley Walker, Aida Appenfeller, Bella Wenzel, Carli Vargas and Ella Chavez. Six KHS wrestlers also earned Academic All-State recognition: Rebecca Lafollette, Zolah Williams, Myla Woolridge, Aida Appenfeller, Carli Vargas and Ella Chavez.
Kearney also earned major postseason honors for both individual and coaching excellence. Zolah Williams was named the MWA Class 1 District 4 Wrestler of the Year. The Bulldog coaching staff of Eric Marshall, Lexie Cole, Brett Williams and Cami Aebersold was recognized as both the MWA Class 1 District 4 Coaching Staff of the Year and the MWA Class 1 Coaching Staff of the Year. Head Coach Nick Ward was named both MWA Class 1 District 4 Girls Coach of the Year and MWA Class 1 Girls Coach of the Year.
Congratulations to these student-athletes and coaches on an exceptional list of honors. We are proud of the way KHS Girls Wrestling continues to represent Kearney with excellence in competition, in the classroom and in leadership.
Kearney High School’s girls basketball program earned impressive postseason recognition this winter, with four Bulldogs receiving conference, district and state honors for their performance on the court and in the classroom.
These honors reflect not only individual talent, but also the hard work, competitiveness and consistency this team showed throughout the season.
Brooke Paalhar headlined the group with a remarkable list of honors, earning First Team All-Conference, Conference Player of the Year, All-District, District Player of the Year and All-State recognition. Kennedi Casey was named Second Team All-Conference and All-District, while Addie Taylor earned Second Team All-Conference honors and was also recognized as Academic All-State. Maggie Lakin rounded out the group with All-Conference Honorable Mention honors.
Congratulations to Brooke, Kennedi, Addie and Maggie on these well-deserved accomplishments, and to Head Coach Troy Ressler and the Bulldog program on a strong season. We are proud of the way these student-athletes represented Kearney High School through their effort, leadership and success.
KHS Vocal Music Students Shine at District Solo and Ensemble Festival
Kearney High School Vocal Music students delivered an outstanding performance at the MSHSAA District Solo/Ensemble Festival on Saturday, March 22, with 51 students competing in 44 events and earning top marks across the board.
Nearly every KHS performance received either an Exemplary (Gold) or Outstanding (Silver) rating, a reflection of both the students’ talent and the preparation led by Vocal Music Teacher Dustin McKinney. Gold ratings also qualified students to compete at the State Solo/Small Ensemble Festival on May 2 at the University of Missouri.
KHS earned Exemplary ratings in three small ensemble events. Those honors went to Megan Grider, Zuzu DeLay, Evan Burgdoerfer, Audree Curran, Joshua Robinson, Ethan Shoemaker, Lucas Zurliene and Gracelyn Williamson; Delayne Boyd, Archer Schmidt, Emiliana Eberhardt, Sofia Kouzinoglou, Drew Nelson, Avery Janiak, Nathanial West and Aiden Vasquez; and Delayne Boyd, Emiliana Eberhardt, Sofia Kouzinoglou, Phoebe Taylor, Camille Hermon and Allison Dixon. Exemplary ratings in vocal solo competition were earned by James Billingsley, Sofia Kouzinoglou, Drew Nelson, Maverick Kerns, Allison Dixon, Kaycie Springer, Phoebe Taylor, Audree Curran, James Hunsucker, Matthew Edie, Emiliana Eberhardt and Delayne Boyd.
Outstanding ratings in small ensemble competition were earned by Samantha Billingsley, Maverick Kerns, Katherine Smith, Brodie Burton, Audree Curran and Adrienne Ford; Tristan Klein, Jackson Morris, Matthew Edie, Camden Haney, Ethan Shoemaker, Kaycie Springer, Lucas Zurliene and Jackson Watts; and Ryan Pedee, James Hunsucker, Thomas McAuliffe, Ethan Shoemaker, Kieren Minnich and Haydon Parton. Outstanding ratings in vocal solo competition were earned by Aiden Vasquez, Kadence Vanderau, Sutton Madison, Zoie Morris, Kieren Minnich, Adrienne Ford, Henry West, Katherine Smith, Zuzu DeLay, Joshua Robinson, Samantha Billingsley, Nathanial West, Lucas Zurliene, Taylor Kolek, Jaci Berndt, Mikaela Randoll, Jackson Vasquez, Hannah Tokarchuk, Jaelyn Deen and Camden Haney.
Congratulations to all of these students and to Mr. McKinney on an exceptional day of achievement. We are proud of the way our Bulldogs continue to represent Kearney High School with talent, poise and excellence.
KHS Boys Basketball Earns All-Conference and All-District Honors
The Kearney High School boys basketball program is celebrating a strong postseason after several Bulldogs earned well-deserved recognitions for their performances this winter.
Leading the way was Bradley Doll, who was named First Team All-Conference and also earned a spot on the MSHSAA Class 5 District 8 All-District Team. Sal DiBenedetto was selected Second Team All-Conference and joined Doll on the Class 5 District 8 All-District Team. Carter Brock also received postseason recognition as a Second Team All-Conference selection.
These honors reflect not only the talent of these student-athletes, but also the consistency, competitiveness and team-first approach they brought to the floor throughout the season. Earning all-conference and all-district recognition is a significant accomplishment in a highly competitive basketball landscape, and these Bulldogs represented Kearney High School with pride.
The program also received special recognition on the sidelines. Head Coach Dillon Starzl was named the MSHSAA Class 5 District 8 Coach of the Year, an honor that speaks to the leadership, preparation and culture he has helped build within the program.
The KHS boys finished the season with a 21-6 record. Enjoy some photos from their 73-57 win over Smithville at home on Feb. 20.
Team Kearnage Earns Major Honors at Heartland Regional
Kearney School District’s robotics team, Team Kearnage (2345), turned in an impressive performance at the Heartland Regional competition held Thursday through Saturday at Mill Valley High School.
Led by their motto, “Let It Ride!,” this student-led team competed in all three major phases of the event: community impact, judged awards and on-field robot performance. By the end of the weekend, Team Kearnage had secured an Alliance Team Captain spot and brought home the prestigious Judges Award.
Head Coach Dave Zurliene said the team’s success reflected months of hard work, leadership and growth across every aspect of the program.
“Our students have put in the hours, embraced the challenge and represented Kearney with tremendous pride,” Zurliene said. “This group continues to show that robotics is about much more than building a machine. It is about teamwork, problem-solving, leadership and finding ways to make an impact.”
In the community impact portion of the competition, Kearnage highlighted its efforts to expand STEAM opportunities in Kearney School District, including helping restart middle school robotics under Coach Bart Morris’ leadership. That program has already made a strong impression, with the FTC team advancing to Super Qualifiers and earning the Innovation Award.
In judged awards, Kearnage’s students also stood out. Their thoughtful work in the pit and strong interaction with judges helped the team earn the Judges Award, which recognizes a team whose unique efforts, performance or dynamics merit special recognition. It was the first time since 2010 that Team Kearnage had won an award at an event.
On the field, the team’s robot, Finn McMissile, helped power an outstanding performance in one of the nation’s most competitive regionals. After being identified in a national YouTube review as a dark horse team to watch, Kearnage lived up to the billing by finishing qualification matches with an 8-2 record and ranking sixth out of 41 teams before ending qualification play in the No. 5 Alliance Captain position.
That achievement gave Team Kearnage the opportunity to select alliance partners for the double-elimination rounds, marking the first time since 2017 that Kearnage had served as an Alliance Team Captain. Team captain Mary Shaw led the selection process, choosing Liberty High School Robotics and System Meltdown from Ray-Pec to join the alliance. Although the group did not advance beyond the elimination rounds, Kearnage’s performance left no doubt that the Bulldogs belonged on that stage.
Kearnage’s 25 students have been building toward moments like this since January, while also investing in outreach and STEAM engagement throughout the offseason. The team now turns its attention to its next competition in Tulsa on April 1, where it will continue its push toward a possible berth in the World Championships in Houston.
Congratulations to Team Kearnage, Coach Zurliene, assistant coaches Bart Morris and Rachel Cerra, the team’s mento
KHS Band Students Earn Top Honors at District Solo/Ensemble Festival
TKearney High School band students delivered an outstanding performance at the MSHSAA District Solo/Ensemble Festival on Friday, March 20.
According to Band Director Chris Heil, 28 KHS students participated in 24 events, and every one of those events earned an Honor Rating of either Exemplary (Gold) or Outstanding (Silver). Students who earned Exemplary ratings now qualify to perform at the State Festival at the University of Missouri on May 2.
Congratulations to all of these talented Bulldogs for their hard work, preparation and musicianship!
Kearney School District’s kindergarten enrollment is open for the 2026-2027 academic year! If you have a child who will be age five on or before July 31, 2026, this is the time to enroll them in kindergarten! Start the kindergarten enrollment process by clicking the link provided below.
If you already have a username and password: Enter that information into the windows on the left side of the page to access the Registration Gateway, then click “Add a Student” from the options on the left
If you are new to this system: Click the “Registration Gateway” link and then click “Start” on the next screen to create a username and password
Parents/guardians will be required to provide a birth certificate, a record of required immunizations, and proof of residence for their child during kindergarten enrollment. Use our online district boundary map to locate the elementary school your child will attend.
After completing the enrollment process, one of our Parents As Teachers program Parent Educators will contact you to schedule a kindergarten screening. Parent Educators screen to help KSD plan for classes and the needs of each incoming kindergarten class. Parent Educators will also provide at-home activities and information about summer programs, as well as answer any questions parents/guardians may have.
All families are encouraged to fill out the Online Meal Application Form. Completing this form allows families to qualify for free and reduced meal prices and also allows KSD to potentially become eligible for additional academic resources and funding.
Kindergarten Orientation events will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 7, at each of KSD’s elementary schools. Stay tuned for details. This is an opportunity for families to receive helpful information about KSD, tour their school and meet their child’s teachers and building principal. We’re excited to welcome the Bulldogs Class of 2039!
Elementary School Transfer Requests for 2026–2027 (Due April 1)
Kearney School District students are expected to attend the elementary school assigned to their home address. However, if you would like to request an elementary school transfer for the 2026–2027 academic year, please complete the Student Transfer Request Form and submit it by April 1, 2026.
Thank you for helping us plan ahead for next year.
Support Bulldog Football at the KHS Quarterback Club Golf Tournament
The Kearney High School Quarterback Club is inviting our Bulldog community to tee it up for a great cause at its Annual Golf Tournament on Saturday, May 2, at Excelsior Springs Golf Course.
This annual fundraiser helps support the Kearney Bulldog Football program while bringing together players, families, alumni and community members for a fun day on the course.
Enrollment opens on Monday, April 6, for KSD’s Summer School 2026! Here’s a quick “save the date” and a few important details about it so our Bulldog families can start planning ahead. We’re looking forward to another great summer of learning opportunities for our students.
Summer School Dates
June 1–25, 2026
Mondays–Thursdays only (summer classes will not be in session on Fridays)
Locations
Elementary summer school
Dogwood Elementary for Dogwood (DW) and Kearney Elementary (KE) students
Kearney Junior High for Southview (SV) and Hawthorne (HT) students
Secondary summer school
Kearney High School
Daily Hours
Elementary: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Secondary: 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Enrollment and Transportation Deadlines
Enrollment opens: April 6, 2026
Transportation deadline: April 30, 2026 (Families requesting transportation will need to complete enrollment by this date.)
We’ll share more details via ParentSquare and our website at www.ksdr1.net/summerfun as we get closer to April, including enrollment instructions and any additional program information families will need. In the meantime, please go ahead and mark your calendars.
Calling Young Bulldog Artists: July 4 Celebration Poster Contest
Calling all young artists in Bulldog Country! The Kearney Chamber of Commerce and the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce are inviting students and community artists to take part in the Clay County Under the Stars & Stripes: America 250 Poster Contest. The winning poster design will help promote the July 4, 2026, celebration at Smithville Lake, and the winner will receive a custom-framed poster of their work plus recognition at the event.
KEC Spark Opportunities for K–7 Students on No-School Days
Bulldog families, if you’re looking for a fun, structured option for your child on days when Kearney School District isn’t in session, the Kearney Enrichment Council has two great opportunities coming up through its Spark program for children in kindergarten through seventh grade.
As the Missouri legislative session gets underway, Kearney School District is launching a short Legislative Update email newsletter to help our community understand how proposals in Jefferson City could affect our community's public schools. This newsletter will include a straightforward snapshot and brief analysis of proposals, bills, and laws at the state level that may impact public education, along with contact information for our local legislators. Please visit the KSD Legislative Updates page on our website at www.ksdr1.net/legislativeupdates and complete the opt-in form if you’d like to receive these newsletters.
And last but not least...
Young Authors Shine at Kearney Elementary Writing Showcase
There was a lot to celebrate in the Kearney Elementary cafeteria on Friday, March 20, as our kindergarten students proudly shared the non-fiction works they created through a special Writing Showcase experience.
Organized by Kearney Elementary kindergarten teachers Clarissa Bosky, Glenda Monachino and Jennifer Marker, the showcase gave some of our youngest Bulldogs the chance to step into the role of authors, researchers and presenters. After choosing an animal to study, students researched their topic and wrote their own non-fiction books and posters, then welcomed visitors to hear about their work, see their writing and learn fun facts about the animals they studied.
This educational experience reflects an important districtwide priority. Under Superintendent Dr. Emily Miller’s strategic focus on Authentic Literacy, Kearney School District is working to ensure that every class, in every subject, includes meaningful opportunities each day for students to read, write and engage in discussion. Today’s showcase was a wonderful example of that vision in action, with students using literacy skills in purposeful, engaging ways as they researched, wrote and shared their learning with others.
