Olathe highlights Santa Fe Trail Middle School’s new building, student-led Cyclone resource center and districtwide ‘Olathe Student Cares’ program

Principal JJ Leibel told the Olathe School Board that Santa Fe Trail Middle School’s move into a new building has expanded learning spaces and student opportunities while preserving the legacy of the old school.

Leibel said the new facility includes a larger library, flexible learning pods with interactive AV screens, an auditorium that seats about 460 people, a pool used by Olathe North, makerspace, art and tech-ed spaces, and a commons area that preserves legacy elements such as the old gym floor. He described flexible breakout rooms and expanded band and orchestra locker areas that free classroom space.

The presentation focused on “opportunity for all,” Leibel said, and included school data: 14 languages spoken by students, about 32% receiving English learner services, roughly 52% qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch and about 32% receiving special education services. Leibel said those figures informed the school’s program choices and facilities design.

Leibel and other speakers highlighted Olathe Student Cares (OSC), a student-led program that started at Santa Fe Trail and Summit Trail and has expanded to multiple schools. OSC projects are student proposals that receive community funding after a “Shark Tank” style presentation to local partners and leaders. Examples include “Free Mini Essentials”—small, outdoor hygiene pantries stocked by students for summer access—and “Sabre Blankets,” fleece blankets made by students and donated to the Cyclone closet.

Leibel described the Cyclone resource center that was moved into the new building with shelving and an outside entrance so families can access clothing and hygiene items. He said the school added laundry facilities—stackable washer and dryer units inside the Cyclone center and four sets of washers and dryers on the receiving area—to support families who lack access to laundromats. Leibel credited partners including the Lakeland Junior Service League with managing the closet.

Student Isabelle Fasulo, identified in Leibel’s presentation, described working on Cyclone Resource Center projects and said the experience helped her understand community needs and sparked leadership that she is replicating at other Olathe schools.

Superintendent Dr. Yeager thanked Leibel and the community for supporting the bond that funded the new building and praised staff for preserving legacy items from the old school in the new facility.

District officials said the Cyclone resource center and Olathe Student Cares projects will continue over the summer with a baby clothing and product giveaway and that OSC will expand to additional middle and high schools next year.

The board and district staff said they will follow up with Westview and other nearby schools if boundary or program changes require adjustments in coming months.