By Leslie Collins
Northeast News
October 26, 2011

Awestruck, one youngster looked at his hand and proclaimed he never wanted to wash it again.

He had just shaken hands with Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II.

Cleaver visited Frontier School of Innovation, 6700 Corporate Drive, for the official ribbon cutting ceremony Oct. 18.

As Cleaver and school officials cut through the red ribbon, students and attendees applauded, celebrating the success of a school district that continues to expand and challenge its students.

This is Frontier School System’s fifth year in Kansas City and third year in Historic Northeast.

Frontier School of Innovation began with kindergarten through fifth grades, but at the request of parents, has expanded. Last year, sixth grade was added, and this year, seventh and eighth grades were added. Acquiring more office space helped make the transition possible.

Frontier School System also operates Frontier School of Excellence, 5605 Troost Ave., which caters to sixth through 12th grades. Both campuses are sponsored by the University of Kansas City-Missouri (UMKC). This past May, Frontier School of Excellence graduated its first high school class. Eleven of its 12 graduates went on to college and one received acceptance into Harvard.

“They’re (school system) doing an excellent job in performance,” said Dr. Jerry Cooper, director of the UMKC Charter School Center. “This school started out with an idea, “We’re going to create excellence in the school,” and they’ve continued to work for that.

“I think sometimes schools set the bar too low and I think you’ve got to expect the best from kids.”

For parent Ruth Lockhart, the Frontier School System provided additional resources for her two daughters that homeschooling couldn’t.

“We come from a homeschooling background. We were very happy, but we needed some help in reading skill improvement and Frontier school came to our aid and filled the gaps we could not fill,” Lockhart said. “I’m very appreciative of all the school has to offer, both in academics and enrichment programming.

“My children have excelled and are driven to succeed. I thank you very much for that.”

Frontier schools place an emphasis on math, science and engineering and offer small class sizes. The school system also provides hands-on, project-based learning and groups students by their skill levels.

Both Pre-AP and advanced courses are offered as early as sixth grade and beginning in ninth grade, students can begin earning college credit.

Superintendent Ismet Isik commended the school system on its flexibility.

“When something doesn’t work, we can easily change it,” he said.

If students are struggling, they can receive free after-school tutoring, receive one-on-one help during school or attend Saturday classes. Frontier also offers a college readiness program.

“We don’t give up on students,” Isik said.

Lockhart agrees. Her youngest daughter, who struggled with reading, has improved immensely and continues to excel in other areas, she said.

“She’s through the roof on testing. It’s just amazing,” Lockhart said. “It’s (school system) fulfilled both of the girls’ dreams.”

Jim Hamilton, one of the school’s business partners that assists in promoting the school with brochures and enrollment forms, said, “It’s amazing the number of packets we send out and the response they get. It tells you they’re doing the right thing.”

When Hamilton visits the schools, he consistently sees students with smiles on their faces or laughing, he said.

“There’s not kids begrudgingly walking the halls. It’s an amazing place,” he said. “Institutions of this nature are giving them (students) that excellence and expecting that excellence out of these students. That’s what our community needs and that’s what this organization definitely brings to Kansas City.”