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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 18, 2025
Media contact: Denise Kahler, KSDE director of communications and recognition programs, denise.kahler@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-4876
Two Kansas schools recognized as National ESEA Distinguished Schools
TOPEKA — The National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program has recognized two Kansas schools for exceptional student achievement in 2025.
This is the first time both the schools and the Waconda and Kingman-Norwich districts have received the National ESEA Distinguished Schools designation.
Since 1996, the National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program, a project of the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators (NAESPA), has been recognizing qualifying schools for their positive educational advances. The program showcases the success of hundreds of schools in one of three categories:
NAESPA implemented the National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program to highlight selected schools that have successfully used their ESEA federal funds to improve education for all students. More information about the distinguished schools program is available on the ESEA Network website, www.ESEAnetwork.org/ds.
Kayla Corpstein, principal at Lakeside Elementary School, said her school’s staff “have diligently worked to identify and support each student's academic and emotional needs” and the district and board of education are committed “to hiring the support staff and teachers necessary to meet all students' needs,” including investing in an after-school program, at no cost to families, for third- through fifth-grade students that utilizes three certified teachers.
Corpstein said the Lakeside school staff are “committed to educating the whole child” with programs like the Mental Health Intervention Team (MHIT), morning meetings, direct social skills instruction, and “Whole School Wednesday” student groups “where the focus is on social skills instruction, celebrating student success and strengthening relationships,” she said.
“All of these elements along with the dedication and commitment of our staff, board of education and community have made our school a success,” Corpstein said.
Kevin Hedrick, principal of Norwich Elementary, credits his school’s recognition to his teachers’ “clear focus” on structured literacy for their students. He said regular professional learning community (PLC) meetings with literacy specialists drive 20-day reading goals for small student groups. In addition, students receive two 30-minute WIN (“what I need”) sessions daily, where teachers deliver targeted instruction based on district priority standards.
“This time is valuable and entirely teacher-driven,” Hedrick said. “District and building collaboration have been impactful. The teachers' hard work is absolutely validated with this award.”
Hedrick said having all the district’s students in the same physical building helps them continue receiving support during WIN time at the middle and high school levels.
All national ESEA Distinguished Schools are honored with a commemorative award package, a dedicated section on the ESEA Network website and a special presentation at the National ESEA Conference, which is scheduled for Feb. 10-12, 2026, in Denver, Colorado, and online.
The following Kansas schools have been honored since the program’s inception in 1996:
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