Celebrating Kindergarten: Overland Park Schools Ranked Best in Kansas City Metro Area

Celebrating the First Day of Kindergarten in Overland Park

The first day of kindergarten is a big deal for both kids and their parents. It often marks a new chapter in their lives, filled with excitement, nervousness, and tons of emotions. For many parents, this is their first long stretch away from their little ones, as those seven to eight hours in school seem to fly by. If you’re one of the many parents in the Overland Park area wondering about the best schools to send your kids off to, you’re in luck! A recent list has just been released that ranks the top elementary schools in the Kansas City metro area.

Top-Notch Education in Kansas City’s Metro Area

Niche, a school-ranking service that collects data from various sources and reviews from current and former students, has unveiled its 2025 rankings for the best public elementary schools in the Kansas City metro area. If you take a look at this year’s list, you’ll notice it closely resembles last year’s rankings for high schools, with a significant number of top spots going to schools in Overland Park.

So what are the top schools? Surprisingly, nine out of the top ten elementary schools hail from the Blue Valley Unified School District. This district is not only highly rated for its schools but also scored an overall A+ for teaching. It’s also recognized as the best school district in Kansas, ranking as the 76th best in the entire United States!

Highlights from the Ranking

Claiming the top spot as the No. 1 school in the Kansas City metro area is the illustrious Lakewood Elementary School, located at 14600 Lamar Ave in Overland Park. It’s being celebrated not just for its local accolades but also named the best elementary school in the entire state of Kansas, receiving an impressive A+ grade from Niche.

What about the rest of the top ten? The following eight schools also belong to the Blue Valley Unified School District, showcasing the incredible educational opportunities available within this district. It’s a testament to the resources and commitment to excellence that these schools provide for their students.

Missouri Schools Join the Mix

Interestingly, the 2025 list also features one school from Missouri in the top ten: James Walker Elementary School in Blue Springs. With an admirable A grade, it offers a great alternative for families on that side of the state line. Soon after, at No. 15, you can find Franklin Smith Elementary School, also part of the Blue Springs school district. The rankings continue, with the first Kansas City, Missouri public elementary school making its appearance through English Landing Elementary School, which is part of the Park Hill School District. It sits at No. 73 on the list.

Spotlight on Economically Disadvantaged Schools

On a different note, Hale Cook Elementary School within the Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS) has performed notably well, ranking as a standout school for economically disadvantaged students. It marks a significant development as it became the first KCPS school to appear in the overall rankings, landing at No. 193, showcasing that quality education can occur across different demographics.

What This Means for Parents

As parents gear up to send their little ones off to kindergarten, this new information comes as a breath of fresh air. Not only can parents feel confident about their children’s educational journey, but they also have various top-ranked schools to explore in the area. These rankings can guide families in making informed decisions as they step into this exciting new chapter in their lives.

Whether it’s Lakewood Elementary or James Walker Elementary, the Kansas City metro area shines with fantastic educational options, ensuring that students of all backgrounds receive the tools they need for a bright future.