A Parsons elementary school earns a state honor for the third year in a row.

 

Garfield Elementary has been named the recipient of the 2024 Challenge Award by the Confidence in Kansas Public Education State Task Force. The Challenge Awards recognize schools for outstanding achievement and uncommon accomplishments of students based on the Kansas Assessment Program results in math and reading.

 

Parsons USD 503 Assistant Superintendent Jeff Pegues stated that Garfield students outperformed the state average by nearly 20 points in math and had the highest math scores in Southeast Kansas. Garfield Elementary Principal Barney Pontious added that both students and staff have worked hard to achieve their goals and Parsons is fortunate to have all of the ingredients to create one of the very best learning communities in the area and even the state. 

 

Garfield Elementary is among only 100 Kansas schools to earn the achievement.