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District projects 1,193 elementary open-enrollment seats; Indian Hills feeder pattern closed
Summary
Shawnee Mission directors presented the district's open-enrollment capacity for 2026''7: 1,193 elementary seats available across buildings, middle and high schools largely at or near capacity, and Indian Hills feeder elementary schools recommended closed due to projected middle-school capacity constraints.
District directors presented the annual open-enrollment recommendation and capacity analysis the board must adopt by policy deadlines. Christy Darby and elementary directors explained the methodology: class-size guidelines (K'2 and grades 3'6) are used as the baseline but the district sets a reduced open-enrollment capacity for seat preservation and safeguards to accommodate projected resident students.
Key numbers and closures: Officials reported an estimated 1,193 elementary open-enrollment seats districtwide for 2026''7, achieved by holding a small number of in-building seats as safeguards. The Indian Hills feeder pattern was recommended closed because projected middle-school enrollment and the feeder's maximum middle-school capacity (875) prevent accepting nonresident transfers.
Secondary capacity: Middle schools use ELA class-size metrics (optimum 25, with title schools capped at 24); most middle schools are effectively full. High schools operate with a 26-student optimum and have limited open seats across buildings and signature programs; many signature programs remain closed due to capacity and safety needs.
Policy/process notes: Directors noted an administrative change to "good standing" review that reduced paperwork and made in-district assignments more stable; staff reported fewer parental appeals after the change. Board members accepted the report and unanimously approved the enrollment and open-seat recommendations to enable transfer processing.
