Shawnee Mission USD 512
Overview
The Shawnee Mission School District (Kansas Unified School District 512) is one of the major school districts in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. Located in northeast Johnson County, Kansas, the school district enrolled 29,389 students in the 2003-2004 school year. As of 2004, the district comprises 5 high schools, 7 middle schools, 39 elementary schools, and 3 instructional centers.
High Schools
Shawnee Mission North
Shawnee Mission Rural High School opened September 12, 1922, having cost $150,000 to build. It had 12 faculty members and a senior class of 20. There had been an election on September 21, 1921, on a 'proposal to organize a rural high school district.'
So in 1922 the east building was built and in 1936 the west building, housing a gym and auditorium, was connected to the east building by an arcade. In 1941 the shop wing was constructed to house agriculture and auto mechanics; it was connected to the west building by a concrete walk. In 1950 the 'big' addition was made, including the south academic wing, the cross hall/offices, library, Field House and music rooms. After 30 years all the buildings were at last connected by hallways.
The swimming pool and science wing were built in 1969, the Developmental Center in 1978, the Little Theater was added in 1984 and the 'lunch dock' remodeled in 1993. In the summer of 1997, the new library was added as well as air-conditioning. in 1998 the cafeteria and kitchen were totally remodeled.
The school was named Shawnee Mission Rural until 1948, when senior Robert F. Bennett was sent to Topeka to petition the legislature for a name change to more accurately reflect the school's suburban status. It was thought that the job would take several weeks, if it could be accomplished at all, but Bob Bennett brought it home in three days. Governor Bennett was named North's first 'Distinguished Alumnus' by the class of '75.
So Shawnee Mission High School it was until 1958, when East opened and Shawnee Mission High School became SM North. SM West opened in 1962, South in '66 and Northwest in '69.
Location: Shawnee Mission North is located in Overland Park, Kans. at the corner of Johnson Drive and Metcalf and serves much of northeastern Johnson County. The North area has a population of approximately 52,000 and includes the communities of Countryside, Merriam, Mission, Overland Park, Roeland Park and Shawnee.
The boundaries for the North attendance area differ from point-to-point, but the basic boundaries between high school attendance areas the following:
NORTH: 47th Street from Quivira to Chadwick EAST: Nall Ave. from 47th St. to 75th St. SOUTH: 75th St. from I-35 to Nall Ave. WEST: Quivira from 47st St. to 71st St.
Located at 7401 Johnson Drive, Overland Park, Kansas 66202, SM North had a 2004 enrolled population of 1940.
The mascot is an Indian, and the school colors are cardinal and black. Its alumni include Phil McGraw.
Shawnee Mission North High School also has a top-level journalism department, capturing the Kansas 6A Journalism title in May 2000 and May 2003
Shawnee Mission East
Opened in 1957, SME is unique in the district for featuring an International Baccalaureate program, one of the few in the region. As of 2003, its population is 2111. The mascot is a lancer, and the colors are columbia blue, black, and white. Its alumni include game programmer John Carmack and author Thomas Frank. It is also somewhat infamous for an incident in the late 1980's where a peace rally sign was painted with the "Mercedes" logo rather than the peace sign. This drew national press for a short time.
Shawnee Mission South
SMS has the mascot of a raider, and the school colors are green and yellow (officially, green and gold). As of 2003, its population is 1768. Shawnee Mission South is located near the 100th block of Metcalfe.
Shawnee Mission West
SMW has the mascot of a viking, and the school colors are black and yellow. As of 2003, its population is 2056.
Shawnee Mission Northwest
SMNW is the most populous school in the district, with over 2400 students. The school colors are black and orange, and the mascot is a cougar.