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Schools

Holden R-3 strives toward educational excellence

Over the past decade, the Holden R-3 school district has made many strides forward to provide a quality education for its students. Now in a new century, the district is hoping to push farther ahead, toward accreditation with distinction, inclusion in the A+ schools program and expansion of the school facilities.

Already, the Holden schools have much to be proud of. In 1998, the Holden Middle School was nationally recognized as a Blue Ribbon school. The Holden High School Science Olympiad team has made it to state competition four years in a row. Aggressive grant seeking has provided a mobile classroom with more than 20 laptop computers, several components of the district-wide reading improvement program, a new greenhouse for the high school vo-ag program and many other benefits.

In the 2000-01 school year, 1,474 students were enrolled in the district, which includes four schools: elementary for kindergarten through third grade, intermediate for fourth and fifth grades, middle school for sixth through eighth grades and high school.

For several years, the district has operated under a philosophy that reading skills are fundamental to all learning in school.

At the elementary school, a breadth of programs have been initiated or maintained, including Title I reading, the TAP reading program, Read to be Ready and regular activity nights centered around reading and art.

At the intermediate school and middle school, students participate in Project Read, a program designed and funded by Holden R-3. Through this program, students are taught most subjects throughout the day by one or two teachers, who focus all education on improving reading skills.

Project Read is intended to help students who might otherwise fall through the cracks. It targets students who do not qualify for special services, but who have reading skills significantly below grade level. At the high school level, Project Read is continued with an intensive reading classroom for freshmen.

In other areas, Holden High School offers many benefits for its students. The school has consistently offered a strong science program for students, reflected in higher test scores. This summer, that program was backed by renovations to the science laboratory classroom.

Vocational-agriculture has always been a strong feature of the high school curriculum, and over the next two years, the program will grow significantly. This year, a greenhouse has been added for horticulture classes, and next year a second vo-ag instructor will be added to boost horticulture instruction.

The school offers Advanced Placement biology and history, and dual-credit courses for college credit are also offered by HHS teachers and through interactive television with Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg.

Also, this year, the district expanded its mobile computer lab capabilities with a second classroom-set of laptop computers purchased strictly through district funds. Making technology an important part of education has become an significant district priority.

Of seven school districts in Johnson County, Holden R-3 is the third largest, competing as a 3-A school. Geographically, it is one of the largest districts in the state of Missouri, encompassing more than 199 square miles. Twice daily, the district's 18 buses run routes totalling 700 miles, giving Holden one of the longest total routes in Missouri.

For the 2000-01 school year, the tax levy was $3.69, and the assessed valuation was just under $54 million.

Extra curricular activities include Math Relays, Science Olympiad, Academic Bowl, choir, marching band, drama, FFA, FCCLA and an active Octagon Club. Athletics span all seasons and include volleyball, basketball and softball for girls; co-ed cross country, track and trapshooting; and football, basketball and baseball for boys.

The 2001-02 school year may prove to be a benchmark year for the district. It will undergo the third cycle Missouri School Improvement Program evaluation this year, hoping to achieve accreditation with distinction. Also, the board of education plans to put a construction issue before voters in the spring of 2002.

For more information about the R-3 school district, contact the superintendent's office at (816)732-5568.

Pushing hard in athletics and academics.
As a 3-A rated school for athletics, Holden competes with other area schools including Grain Valley, Pleasant Hill, Sherwood and Butler. For the past few years, Holden's baseball and softball teams have been very strong, and volleyball has long been a strength. District administration also work to keep the district competitive in MAP testing results.

Holden R-3 Phone Numbers

Superintendent's Office
816-732-5568
Elementary School
816-732-4136
Intermediate School
816-732-6071
Middle School
816-732-4125
High School
816-732-5523