education

Education is a cornerstone of the communities served by the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce, as evidenced by phenomenal school growth both in terms of student population and construction.

School bonds in Frontenac and Pittsburg in the last few years have provided for renovation and new construction district-wide.

The favorable 2006 April bond issue election for Frontenac USD 249 ensured that Frontenac schools will continue to grow and meet the needs of its increasing student population. The $5.9 million bond will provide for new elementary and high school classrooms, a new gymnasium and various renovations and additions.

Pittsubrg USD 250 has completed renovations of Lakeside Elementary and Pittsburg Community Middle School. The total improvements to Pittsburg schools total about $24 million.

Other educational opportunities in the Pittsburg area include a parochial education at St. Mary's Elementary School and St. Mary's Colgan High School, which offers excellent academic and athletic programs in grades K-12. Thanks to generous anonymous donors, St. Mary's recently completed construction on a new elementary school and fieldhouse, as well as improved the look and efficiency of the high school.

The Family Resource Center opened in 1995 to provide excellent and affordable child care, preschool, and other educational opportunities. Services through the Center include an Adult Education Center serving USD 250, Mother to Mother Ministry, Pittsburg State University Center for Assessment and Remediation of Reading Difficulties, Early Childhood Special Education, and Migrant Even Start Family Resource Center. Also located on the campus are Mt. Carmel Community Health, Smart Start Crawford County, Mt. Carmel Congregational Health Services, and a Parent Resource Library.

Pittsburg State University, one of six Kansas Regents Universities, recently celebrated its centennial and continues to grow both in student population and through the campus expansion. More than 6,000 students are enrolled in the four colleges—Arts & Sciences, Business, Education, and Technology—in more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs, many of which are recognized at the national and international levels.

The University is accredited by all major accrediting agencies and provides its graduates with an excellent opportunity for employment following graduation. The University plays a key role in the cultural and economic life of the community, and is a source of continuing education and professional development through seminars, workshops, classes, and conferences.

The Education Service Center at Greenbush, established in 1976, ensures equal educational opportunities through cooperative programming that affords 117 school districts access to services that otherwise would be unaffordable or unavailable. Other educational enrichment offered to the community at-large includes programming through the Abernathy Science Education Center, the PSU-Greenbush Astrophysical Observatory, the Greenbush Challenge Ropes Course, Migrant Education, and Parents as Teachers.