St. John-Hudson USD 350 has won the Commissioner's Award with Highest Distinction for the past three years. Pictured from left: Travis Callaway, principal of St. John Jr./Sr. High School, Angela Petersen, principal of St. John Elementary School, Lily Luckinbill, Amora Tyus and Brecken Koelsch, all kindergarten students, Dr. Jana Hare, USD 350 superintendent, and Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson who visited the district on Oct. 27. (Photo submitted by Dr. Jana Hare)

After ten years, the Kansas State Department of Education’s Star Recognition Program continues to celebrate Kansas school districts and systems for achievements in key areas that reflect achievement across the state’s education system, including success beyond graduation. 

Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson said the Kansas State Board of Education adopted the program as part of the 2015-16 board goals to measure what makes a successful high school graduate.

“They said, ‘we’re going to measure graduation, we’re going to measure the percentage of kids who go on to earn something (degree, certification, etc.) either during high school or after graduation,” he said. “Academics have always been really, really important. But they're only one measure of that success. You've got to look at multiple measures.” 

Equally important, Watson said, are the qualitative measures of social-emotional growth, kindergarten readiness, the individual plan of study and civic engagement for a student’s success beyond high school graduation. 

As part of the Star Recognition program each year, districts and systems can receive gold, silver, bronze or copper stars in the following quantitative measures based on data annually submitted to the Kansas State Department of Education: 

• Academically prepared for postsecondary 
• High school graduation 
• Postsecondary success 

Districts and systems must submit applications to be recognized in the following qualitative areas: 

• Social-emotional growth 
• Kindergarten readiness 
• Individual plan of study (IPS) 
• Civic engagement 

The Commissioner’s Award recognizes districts that achieve postsecondary success beyond what they’re “predicted” to achieve based on their levels of poverty, chronic absenteeism and student mobility. 

The three standard deviations for the Commissioner’s Award are the following: 

Watson said the three Commissioner’s awards are especially notable for districts to achieve. 

“I think it's because we can quantify that those school districts are producing better than the predictions based upon the type of students they serve,” he said. “And they do it at an extremely high level, especially the Commissioner’s Award with Highest Distinction.” 

In 2025, the following districts achieved the Commissioner’s Award with Highest Distinction: 

• Erie-Galesburg USD 101 
• Plainville USD 270 
• Satanta USD 507 
• St. John-Hudson USD 350 

St. John-Hudson USD 350 

St. John-Hudson USD 350 has won the Commissioner’s Award with Highest Distinction in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Angela Petersen, principal at St. John Elementary, said her district “gives students the proven supports they need to thrive.” 

“They build a solid academic foundation, explore career-connected and civic learning experiences, form meaningful connections, and receive exceptional personal support,” she said. “Their sense of belonging empowers them to develop the skills and confidence for success beyond high school.” 

Brad Emery, who teaches art in USD 350, said the credit for this recognition goes to the district’s “high expectations and strong leadership.” 

“They help build a culture where teachers feel supported to do their best work,” he said. “Also, the dedication of our preschool through 12th grade teachers and support staff makes the biggest day-to-day difference for our students.”   
 

Erie-Galesburg USD 101 

“I can't express enough how proud I am of the staff at USD 101 for the work they do to prepare our kids for their next step after high school,” Scott Palser, superintendent of Erie-Galesburg USD 101, said after the district received the Commissioner’s Award with Highest Distinction this year and in 2024.  

Palser said this recognition is the result of his district’s “intentional focus on postsecondary readiness for all students” which has included increasing the number of career and technical education (CTE) pathways and expanding dual college credit options in partnership with area community colleges. 

In addition to the postsecondary opportunities for high school students, Palser said the seventh and eighth grade students at Galesburg Middle School explore the career pathways and do hands-on activities that promote CTE. 

Plainville USD 270 

Chris Rinehart, superintendent at Plainville USD 270, said having his district garner the Commissioner’s Award with Highest Distinction this year and in 2021 “reflects the incredible work of our teachers and staff who go above and beyond each day to support our students — both in the classroom and beyond.” 

“Our success is rooted in a strong district culture that embraces a team approach to continuous improvement,” he said. “Through the KESA accreditation model, we have aligned our goals districtwide to ensure every decision we make keeps student growth and success at the forefront.” 

Rinehart said the USD 270 community’s vision, “Leading to a Lifetime of Success,” serves as their “daily guide” to shape their students’ futures.  

“We hold ourselves to that standard in everything we do to prepare our students for the next step in life,” he said. 

Satanta USD 507 

Karen Burrows, superintendent of Satanta USD 507, said her school community is intentional about helping all their students succeed after graduation, regardless of their postsecondary paths.  

“While we applaud the students who pursue degrees at four-year institutions and beyond, we also value students who pursue technical certificates or enter the workforce,” Burrows said after receiving the Commissioner’s Award with Highest Distinction. “Ultimately, it comes down to caring about kids and believing that even though success might look different for every student, every student can succeed.” 

Burrows said laying the foundation for USD 507 students to be successful after graduation starts early. The district has a partnership with Seward County Community College where Satanta Jr./Sr. High School students can participate in vocational courses and affordably earn dual credits before graduation. She said the seniors complete scholarship applications as part of their coursework and each senior chooses a mentor who guides them beyond graduation. 

Click here for more information about the Kansans Can Star Recognition program and the full lists of winners in all categories since 2020. 

In the Nov. 6 edition of KSDEweekly, some districts that achieved recognition in six and seven Star Recognition categories, respectively, will be featured.