USD 505 is comprised of two communities Chetopa and Saint Paul. The Chetopa community was founded on April 18, 1875 and named after Chief Chetopa of the Osage Nation. On April 11, 1895 the citizens voted to change the name of Osage Mission to Saint Paul.
On July 1, 2005, Saint Paul School was approved by the Kansas State Board of Education to transfer territory and real property from CUSD 101 to USD 505 Chetopa. This transfer formed the new U.S.D. 505 Chetopa- Saint Paul School District. The district is very unique in that the district’ s two campuses are 41 miles apart with no adjoining property. This consolidation has proven to be a blessing for both the Chetopa and Saint Paul communities. In the last ten years both campuses have undergone some major renovations and new construction including classrooms, gymnasiums, and libraries.
The recently formed USD 505 recreation commission supports a complete slate of athletics teams for the youth of the communities and is adding visual and performing arts to the host of offerings.
Both campuses house PK-12 students.
Chetopa and Saint Paul Elementary Schools have worked to integrate new Reading and Math Curriculums into their yearly instructional calendar. Additionally, both campuses have implemented the MTSS Model for Reading, giving every student some specific intervention to ensure all children are on grade level; student growth in reading demonstrates the success of the MTSS process. Elementary students are provided a rigorous and relevant curriculum in Science, Social Studies, Math, and English Language Arts.
The elementary curriculum is supported with The Great Expectations Transformation Model. Great Expectations focuses on processes and procedures that keep the learning environment from becoming stagnant, helping to ensure success and mastery of content taught. Great Expectations is guided by six tenets, which blend nicely with Kansas’ school improvement and redesign model and fosters a mindset of continuous improvement for students and staff:
- High Expectations
- Teacher Attitude and Responsibility
- Building Self-Esteem
- Climate of Mutual Respect
- Teacher Knowledge and Skill
- All children can learn
Chetopa and Saint Paul Junior High Schools provide highly qualified teachers in each core subject of Science, Social Studies, Math, and English Language Arts. The Chetopa and Saint Paul High Schools offer programs of learning to students in multiple academic, Career and Technical Education (CTE), elective offerings and concurrent enrollments with area community colleges. Classes are also available through interactive distance learning opportunities. Eighth grade students have an opportunity to fulfill prerequisite requirements for several CTE Pathways in the high school as well.
The district has an abundance of technology. The elementary and middle schools have access to computers or I-Pads, with better than 1:2 ratio. High school students have technology devices assigned to them to use throughout the instructional day and to take home.
