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The Shawnee Mission School District (Kansas Unified School District 512) is one of the major school districts in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. Located in northeast Johnson County, Kansas, the school district enrolled 29,389 students in the 2003-2004 school year. As of 2004, the district comprises 5 high schools, 7 middle schools, 39 elementary schools, and 3 instructional centers.
High Schools
Shawnee Mission North
Shawnee Mission Rural High School opened September 12, 1922, having cost $150,000 to build. It had 12 faculty members and a senior class of 20. There had been an election on September 21, 1921, on a 'proposal to organize a rural high school district.'
So in 1922 the east building was built and in 1936 the west building, housing a gym and auditorium, was connected to the east building by an arcade. In 1941 the shop wing was constructed to house agriculture and auto mechanics; it was connected to the west building by a concrete walk. In 1950 the 'big' addition was made, including the south academic wing, the cross hall/offices, library, Field House and music rooms. After 30 years all the buildings were at last connected by hallways.
The swimming pool and science wing were built in 1969, the Developmental Center in 1978, the Little Theater was added in 1984 and the 'lunch dock' remodeled in 1993. In the summer of 1997, the new library was added as well as air-conditioning. in 1998 the cafeteria and kitchen were totally remodeled.
As part of a recently-introduced district-wide bond, major improvements will be made to the SM North campus as well as all high schools, middle schools, and many elementary schools. A key project at SM North will be the demolition of the Stadium and reconstruction beginning in 2005.
The school was named Shawnee Mission Rural until 1948, when senior Robert F. Bennett was sent to Topeka to petition the legislature for a name change to more accurately reflect the school's suburban status. It was thought that the job would take several weeks, if it could be accomplished at all, but Bob Bennett brought it home in three days. Governor Bennett was named North's first 'Distinguished Alumnus' by the class of '75.
So Shawnee Mission High School it was until 1958, when East opened and Shawnee Mission High School became SM North. SM West opened in 1962, South in '66 and Northwest in '69.
One incident involving SM North that has gained the school some notoriety is a shooting involving a football game against Olathe North High School. On September 14, 1995, during a fight the night after the game, SM North student Alfred Williams fired shots into a crowd with a semi-automatic pistol. Olathe North student Wilson Montenegro and Jerrell Frazier, Montenegro's cousin, were killed.
SM North is located in northern Overland Park near the Johnson Drive and Metcalf Ave.(U.S. Highway 69) interchange and serves much of northeastern Johnson County. The SM North area has a population of approximately 52,000 and includes the communities of Countryside, Merriam, Mission, northern Overland Park, Roeland Park and eastern Shawnee.
The 2004 population of SM North was 1940. The mascot is an Indian, and the school colors are cardinal and black. Its rival is SM Northwest. Its alumni include Phil McGraw and General Richard B. Myers.
SM North also has a top-level journalism department, capturing the Kansas 6A Journalism title in May 2000 and May 2003.
Shawnee Mission East
Opened in 1957, SM East is unique in the district for featuring an International Baccalaureate program, one of the few in the region. As of 2003, its population is 2140, making it the most populous school in the SMSD. The mascot is a lancer, and the colors are columbia blue, black, and white. Its rival is SM South. Its alumni include game programmer John Carmack and author Thomas Frank. It is located at the intersection of 75th St. and Mission Rd. in Prairie Village.
It is also somewhat infamous for an incident in the late 1980's where a peace rally sign was painted with the "Mercedes" logo rather than the peace sign. This drew national press for a short time. In 1993, a pipe bomb exploded in a locker, injuring no one.
Shawnee Mission South
SM South has the mascot of a raider, and the school colors are green and yellow (officially, green and gold). Its rival is SM East. As of 2003, its population is 1755. SM South is located on Lamar Ave. near 107th St. in Overland Park.
Shawnee Mission West
SM West has the mascot of a viking, and the school colors are black and yellow. It open it's doors in 1962 and has remodeled several times and has had additions. As of 2003, its population is 2052. It is located on Antioch Rd. near 85th Street in Overland Park. Notable alumni include actor Paul Rudd.
Shawnee Mission Northwest
SMNW has the mascot of a cougar, and the school colors are black and orange. Its rival is SM North. As of 2003, its population is 1957. It is located on 67th St. in Shawnee.
See also
Shawnee Mission, Kansas
External link
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