Topeka Public Schools highlights orchestra performance and reports record midyear graduates; 19% had IEPs, 11% were English learners

Students from Topeka West’s orchestra performed at the board meeting in recognition of School Board Appreciation Month, and district staff presented a midyear graduation report showing a rise in midyear completers and demographic context.

Why it matters: The student performances marked the start of School Board Recognition Month. The midyear graduation data illustrate district efforts to accelerate and support students completing graduation requirements, including those with individualized education programs and English-language learners.

Kiana Jackson introduced the orchestra ensemble and said she is in her sixth year with Topeka Public Schools and her second year at Topeka West. Several student musicians identified themselves by name and grade: Shelby Saunders (junior), Colette Kluk (senior), Savon Covington (sophomore), Emma Shump (senior), Mariana (sophomore) and Jenna Sparr (junior). Board members thanked the students and asked questions about what makes the group “premier.” A student said the group studies more challenging music and members are dedicated to rehearsals.

The meeting included an extended student recognition: Ty Castaneda, a senior at Hope Street Academy, was presented as the January Senior of the Month. Ty told board members he plans to attend Washburn Tech and study welding. Board members praised his dependability and kindness; Dr. Beeson told Ty, “I hope that you really internalize those compliments most of all. Congratulations.”

The district’s midyear graduation report, presented to the board, listed a record number of midyear graduates at 23 and showed demographic breakdowns: 61% of this year’s midyear graduates were female; 19% of midyear graduates had an individualized education program (IEP); and 11% were English learners. District presenters said those proportions roughly mirror district demographics and hailed intentional outreach from counselors and staff to keep students engaged and to confirm intent to participate in midyear commencement.

District staff said 62 seniors had no courses this semester (meaning they had completed requirements), and 33 of those 62 chose to participate in midyear commencement. Presenters described district scheduling changes after the COVID period — including a temporary 8-period day to help students make up credits — and clarified that the district uses a 24-credit graduation requirement and typically holds government classes in senior year, though exceptions can be made by appeal.

Board members asked whether midyear graduates are tracked differently for postsecondary persistence; the presenter said the metrics follow the same postsecondary monitoring as other graduates. Officials also described counselor-led meetings to confirm students’ intent to graduate midyear and noted efforts to keep students engaged in programs such as Washburn Tech and dual-credit offerings.

The presentation also included a recap of district enrollment (final reported enrollment 11,684 students) and board members’ round-robin reports about committee work, grant funding pressures and student opportunities, including a selection of students for a Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz program and concerns about possible reductions in mental-health grant funding.

Board members and staff closed the segment by thanking students, staff and volunteers for School Board Recognition Month and by noting midyear commencement ceremonies scheduled at district high schools.