KPS  is seeking highly qualified and certified candidates for the following positions:  

• Fluent Spanish Social Studies Teacher - Middle/High School
• English Teacher - High School
• English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher- Middle/High School
• Health/Physical Education Teacher - Middle School
• Librarian - High School
• Life Skills Teacher - Middle School
• Mathematics Teacher - Middle/High School
• Occupational Therapist
• School Psychologist
• Science Teacher - High School
• Spanish Teacher - High School
• Special Education Autistically Impaired Self-Contained Teacher   

For more information, or to apply, click here

The New KPS Middle School Has a Name 

The "new KPS middle school," as it has been called since the groundbreaking took place off of Drake Road, is now officially Linden Grove Middle School. A committee made up of parents, community members, teachers, administrators, and students reviewed more than 100 name suggestions before making a final recommendation.

The name was chosen in recognition of the Basswood Preserve, which is on neighboring property. Basswood trees are also known as linden trees.

KPS student Carl Zamor, who served on the committee and will be attending Linden Grove Middle School when it opens in the fall, presented his thoughts and support of the name to the Board of Education at the April 30 meeting. Trustee Liz Henderson, who served as board liaison to the naming committee said, "It was great to have a student who will be attending the school as part of the committee." The recommendation was approved unanimously.

KPS MEAP SCORES RISE AGAIN

October 2008 MEAP scores show Kalamazoo Public Schools higher in 10 of 12 categories in grades 3 - 8, English language arts (ELA) and mathematics. The average change between 2007 and 2008 was a significant increase of 4.6 percent per grade/subject area in the percentage of children testing at or above proficiency. Five of six grades showed improvement in English language arts, with 7th grade leading the way with a 10 percentage-point increase. Five of six grades also showed improvement in math, with 7th grade up by 14 percentage points and 6th grade up by 13 percentage points.

KPS superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice noted, "While there is unquestionably more work to be done, the improved results show our efforts are improving student achievement. We expect that the many initiatives we have put in place and are working to put in place, coupled with recently approved long-term district goals, will continue to move us forward in our efforts to improve student achievement. Ultimately, these efforts will pay off in our students' increased success in college and later in life."

To learn more about MEAP scores in the area read Julie Mack's article from the April 3, 2009, Kalamazoo Gazette. Read the article by clicking on this link:

2009 KPS Summer School Schedule Announced

To review the schedule and program description click here.

A registration form for High School Summer School can be downloaded by clicking here.

Elementary registration forms are available at the elementary schools (by teacher recommendation only). Registration forms for middle school summer school will be available after May 11, 2009 at the middle schools.

KPS Board Approves Long-Term District Goals

At its February 26 Board meeting, the Kalamazoo Public Schools Board of Education approved long-term goals designed to increase the number of students at or above proficiency in reading, writing at all levels, and math; double the number of students taking Advanced Placement (AP) courses and the number of AP courses students take; and improve the graduation rate in a six-year period. 

The long-term goals, recommended by Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice after discussion within the district administration as well as in two Board Committees, include substantially increasing the number of 8^th grade students taking algebra. Board President Patti Sholler-Barber said, "The Board is committed to student achievement. Setting ambitious, yet realistic, goals is part of that commitment." Dr. Rice noted, "These are goals to move us forward over the next few years. Ultimately, we want to improve performance to such an extent that we create new goals."

Attached is a chart that details the district's long-term goal areas (reading, writing, math, Advanced Placement, and graduation rates), the measurements, grades tested, numbers of students tested, students at or above proficiency, and 2013 - 2014 goals. 

Please direct questions to the KPS Communications Office at 337-1572.

KPS Board of Education Approves Middle and High School Boundaries

On a 7 -0 vote, the Kalamazoo Public Schools Board of Education approved the recommendations of the Student Assignment Committee at its February 12, 2009 meeting. Approval sets new middle and high school boundaries in the district. The recommendation, boundary maps, frequently asked questions, and implementation timelines are attached.

Kalamazoo Public Schools superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice expressed his gratitude to the committee co-chairs, Dr. Timothy J. Bartik and Dr. Charles C. Warfield, and the 34 members of the committee for their hard work and dedication. The committee of parents, teachers, administrators, and community members has been at work since October. The charge was to make recommendations regarding procedures to assign students to schools within the district. The primary task of this committee was to recommend procedures to assign students to the new middle school. In addition, the committee was encouraged to consider a variety of other student assignments, including high school.

2008-2009 Calendar

The 2008-2009 Kalamazoo Public Schools calendar is now available.  You may download a copy of the calendar here.

Prairie Ridge Elementary -First New School In 30 Years

Prairie Ridge Elementary, Kalamazoo Public Schools' first new building in more than 30 years, opened this fall. For more information or to arrange a tour of Prairie Ridge, please call 337-0630.

Dual Language School Renamed El Sol Elementary





A new Dual Language School, now called El Sol Elementary, opened on Vine Street in September 2008. At the Kalamazoo Public Schools Board of Education meeting on March 19, 2009, the new name was selected for the school. Forty-two names were considered by the committee, and after extensive deliberation, El Sol Elementary was unanimously approved. For enrollment information, call 337-0230.

Pay for school meals with your debit or credit card!

The KPS Food Service department announces that starting this year, parents are able to purchase meals for their children, using a debit or credit card, by going to the MealPayPlus Web site. Parents will also be able to see reports on their child's dining activity.

Click here to access this new service.

New Alternative Program  

A new alternative program for middle school students is underway at KPS . The program assists students who are disruptive in the mainstream environment and who need more intensive interventions than we can provide in our current middle schools.

CHECK THIS OUT! A+

New grade incentives are being used at KPS high schools. The incentives include weighted grades and the addition of a "+" or a "-" to letter grades. As always, parents of high school and middle school students can access their child's grades and attendance via the Parent Internet Viewer.

Areas in Need of Improvement Identified

Delta Kappa International has completed a Curriculum Management Audit of the Kalamazoo Public Schools. The audit was recommended by Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice and approved by the Board of Education. A curriculum audit is designed to reveal the extent to which a school district has developed a sound system of curriculum management. When such a system is fully operational, it ensures that student achievement is maximized. Click on the attached file below to view the report.