News
![A group of elementary students stand in a school gym and form heart shapes with their hands. The students are smiling and standing on a purple-and-wood gym floor in front of a white wall, showing their support for the Kids Heart Challenge.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1773317921/usd470com/p2jqnkznrfrhblujkbxl/NewsStoryImage_4.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1773317921/usd470com/p2jqnkznrfrhblujkbxl/NewsStoryImage_4.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1773317921/usd470com/p2jqnkznrfrhblujkbxl/NewsStoryImage_4.png","width":800}])
Arkansas City Public Schools elementary students raised $13,768.08 through the Kids Heart Challenge to support the American Heart Association. Roosevelt Elementary was the district’s top fundraising school with $5,195.96, and Jefferson Elementary student Rylee Catron was the top individual fundraiser with $654.45. Several students also raised $250 or more, earning a Pizza Ranch celebration.
- ELEM
- Jefferson
- Roosevelt
- district
![Will Pfannenstiel greets a student at a school entrance on the first day of school.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1772811008/usd470com/odg5811gq7rwcxvfjzoh/NewsStoryImage_1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1772811008/usd470com/odg5811gq7rwcxvfjzoh/NewsStoryImage_1.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1772811008/usd470com/odg5811gq7rwcxvfjzoh/NewsStoryImage_1.png","width":800}])
The USD 470 Board of Education has selected longtime Ark City educator Will Pfannenstiel as the district’s next superintendent. Learn more about his experience and the Board’s decision in the full announcement.
- Families
- district
![A person in a brown jacket extends their hand forward for a handshake, with the background softly blurred. A purple and gold “A” logo appears in the bottom right corner.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1772127472/usd470com/mw2zrhuxhf2e8wi9mgyy/Handshake.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1772127472/usd470com/mw2zrhuxhf2e8wi9mgyy/Handshake.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1772127472/usd470com/mw2zrhuxhf2e8wi9mgyy/Handshake.png","width":800}])
Arkansas City Public Schools will host four superintendent finalists next week as part of the Board of Education’s interview process. Each candidate will spend a day in Ark City meeting with staff, students, and the community.
The public is invited to daily meet-and-greets from 4:15 to 5:30 p.m. at Arkansas City High School. Candidate announcements will be shared each morning.
- Community
- ELEM
- HS
- MS
- district
![A 3-by-3 collage of colorful “Youth Art Month” graphics from Arkansas City Public Schools. Each square features a watercolor-style background with a student photo and their artwork displayed like a Polaroid. Students shown include Maria Zetino-Lorenzo (Adams Elementary) with “Form Creature,” Jocelyn Schmeidler (C-4 Elementary) with “My Favorite Thing,” Auberlee Byrd (Frances Willard Elementary) with “Sulking Sunflowers,” Sophie Woods (ACHS) with “Ethereal Bloom,” Piper Waugh (ACHS) with “The Fur]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1772114763/usd470com/beygdnxgqyppoyqgksqx/NewsStoryImage.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1772114763/usd470com/beygdnxgqyppoyqgksqx/NewsStoryImage.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1772114763/usd470com/beygdnxgqyppoyqgksqx/NewsStoryImage.png","width":800}])
Arkansas City Public Schools is proud to have eight students selected for the Kansas Art Education Association Youth Art Month Exhibit. The statewide event features student artwork and includes a reception and awards ceremony on March 28.
- Adams
- C-4
- ELEM
- FW
- HS
- IXL
- Jefferson
- MS
- district
![Arkansas City High School senior Hadley Musson stands in a classroom holding a large Rudd Foundation check for a four-year full-ride scholarship to Kansas State University, valued up to $100,000. Four male staff members stand behind her, smiling, with a whiteboard and classroom materials visible in the background.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1770990433/usd470com/ll9omtt89rz24uvd7kyo/Hadley.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1770990433/usd470com/ll9omtt89rz24uvd7kyo/Hadley.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1770990433/usd470com/ll9omtt89rz24uvd7kyo/Hadley.png","width":800}])
ACHS senior Hadley Musson has earned the prestigious Rudd Scholarship, a full-ride award to Kansas State University. She was one of only 75 students in Kansas selected to interview.
- HS
- district
- students
![A show choir performs on stage. A student singer in a gold sequin jacket sings into a microphone while dancers in gold fringe costumes pose on risers behind him under blue stage lights.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1770680655/usd470com/wqrrxivoyqjfpeeunquf/NewsStoryImage_1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1770680655/usd470com/wqrrxivoyqjfpeeunquf/NewsStoryImage_1.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1770680655/usd470com/wqrrxivoyqjfpeeunquf/NewsStoryImage_1.png","width":800}])
Big weekend for ACHS Unleashed! The show choir earned 1st place and Best Closer at the Joplin Show Choir Invitational in just their second year.
- HS
- district
- students
![Group photo of Arkansas City Middle School Scholars Bowl students and coaches wearing purple shirts, smiling indoors at a tournament venue, with red chairs and tables in the background.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1768945761/usd470com/qbhu44k5rozqmw07ci5c/WebNewsStoryImage800x867px.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1768945761/usd470com/qbhu44k5rozqmw07ci5c/WebNewsStoryImage800x867px.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1768945761/usd470com/qbhu44k5rozqmw07ci5c/WebNewsStoryImage800x867px.png","width":800}])
Arkansas City Middle School Scholars Bowl students had a strong showing at the Haysville tournament, with the 7th-grade team earning first place and the 8th-grade team finishing second. Their teamwork and sportsmanship stood out.
- Activities
- MS
- district
![Graphic with the text “Arkansas City Public Schools – Help Shape Our Future.” A line of elementary-age students with backpacks walks down a school hallway. Text reads, “Parents and community members are invited to share feedback.” A purple button at the bottom says, “Take Our Superintendent Survey,” with a clipboard icon nearby.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1768945297/usd470com/uowpfzmgkdigw8dgnjxd/SuptSurveyWebPhoto.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1768945297/usd470com/uowpfzmgkdigw8dgnjxd/SuptSurveyWebPhoto.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1768945297/usd470com/uowpfzmgkdigw8dgnjxd/SuptSurveyWebPhoto.png","width":800}])
Arkansas City Public Schools (USD 470) has launched the search for its next superintendent and is inviting parents, students, staff, and community members to share input.
The Board of Education is partnering with ESSDACK to guide the process. Community feedback will help shape the leadership profile used to screen and interview candidates.
- Community
- district
![Black-and-white artwork of a person lifting a shirt to reveal a transparent view of their torso, showing the spine, ribs, and internal skeletal structure beneath the skin.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1768940821/usd470com/h7czrg5ahjpgfiweopzi/WebNewsStoryImage800x867px.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1768940821/usd470com/h7czrg5ahjpgfiweopzi/WebNewsStoryImage800x867px.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1768940821/usd470com/h7czrg5ahjpgfiweopzi/WebNewsStoryImage800x867px.png","width":800}])
Arkansas City High School student artists earned 21 honors in the Scholastic Art Awards, including three Gold Keys that advance to national judging. The recognition highlights the creativity and dedication of ACHS students.
- HS
- district
- students