From the Principal 

Dear Leawood Families,

What a remarkable year it’s been at our school! As I reflect on all we’ve accomplished together for the 2024-2025 school year, I’m filled with pride and gratitude for our incredible students, staff, and families. This year was about transformation, not just in how our school looks, but in how it feels.

One of the most noticeable changes was the fresh new look of our building. Thanks to the hard work and support of our community, we painted the exterior, giving our school a bright, welcoming appearance, no longer resembling a prison ;) but rather a place of joy, energy, and learning. That positive spirit extended beyond the walls as well. Together, we set a fundraising goal to add monkey bars to our playground, and thanks to your generosity (and yes, my willingness to eat dog food as part of the challenge!), we made it happen. Seeing students swing, laugh, and play on those new bars has made every bite worth it! Well, maybe!

Even more important than how our school looks is how it feels on the inside. This year, we’ve focused deeply on building a culture of belonging. We launched our Leawood Prides, which are small, cross-grade communities where students get to know each other and build connections throughout the school. These groups have made our school feel more like a family, where everyone is known, valued, and welcomed for who they are.

That commitment to connection and community was reflected in the voices of our 3rd through 5th-grade students themselves. In this year’s Panorama Survey, our students ranked Leawood among the very best of the 145 schools in the district:

• #2 in Belonging

• #3 in High Expectations

• #3 in Support

• #5 in Student/Teacher Relationships

• #9 in Safety (from parents) 

• #12 in Academics

These results affirm what we’ve felt all year long: Leawood is a place where students feel safe, supported, challenged, and most importantly, that they belong. I am so proud of all of our staff because these were the goals that we set last year together, and they are the pillars of success that I shared with all of you at our Back to School Night. 

And through it all, our academic growth continues to shine. Our students are showing consistent improvements in their scores and learning every day with curiosity and confidence. It’s a testament to their hard work, the dedication of our teachers, and the support of our families. This hard work and dedication can be seen reflected in our end-of-the-year MAP growth data. Overall, the goal is to achieve at least average growth, which is the 50th percentile; however, we well surpassed this as a school.

ELA 2023-24 - 53%tile Growth

ELA 2024-25 - 67%tile Growth

Math 2023-24 - 47%tile Growth

Math 2024-25 - 59%tile Growth

This data reflects the significant overall growth our students have made as a school. It's important to note that when new instructional resources are introduced, such as the math program we implemented last year, it’s common to see a temporary dip in scores over a three-year adjustment period. Encouragingly, we are already seeing a return to our typical levels of growth, a strong indicator that our students and staff are successfully adapting and thriving.

I wish you all a restful and rejuvenating summer break filled with joy, laughter, and cherished moments with loved ones. Let us look forward to the adventures that await us in the coming school year, knowing that together, there is nothing we cannot achieve.

You can also follow us on social media:

Instagram: @leawood_elementary

Facebook: Leawood Elementary School

With thanks,

Kevin Kolasa

Principal, Leawood Elementary School 

From Our Principal

From the School & Office  

Wall of Pride