By Mark Tallman

Buhler USD 313 excels academically compared to similar districts, ranking fifth out of 54 public school systems with enrollments between 1,600 and 10,000 students, taking into account differences in high-need student populations. 

The district particularly distinguishes itself in postsecondary success, achieving a five-year average postsecondary effective rate of 73.6 percent for the graduating classes of 2018-2022 — over 20 percent above expectations. Despite a 1.9 percent decline in this rate from 2018 to 2022, Buhler’s performance remained 8.3 percent above expectations, even as college attendance dropped sharply due to the COVID pandemic.  

Postsecondary effectiveness is measured as the percentage of each graduating class that completes high school in four years and either earns an industry-recognized credential, technical certificate, academic degree or enrolls in a postsecondary program within two years of graduation.  

These outcomes are assessed using a KASB formula that compares district performance on state assessments, graduation rates and postsecondary success — both for the most recent year and over time — against expectations based on the district’s 2015-2024 average percentage of students eligible for free and reduced-price meals and students with disabilities, sorted into four enrollment groups. Buhler’s enrollment was just under 2,500 students, with 51 percent identified as low income or students with disabilities.  

I visited with teachers, administrators and the school board president in Buhler to learn more about how these results were attained. One thing was clear: the district is using a vast range of initiatives to improve student outcomes. Superintendent Cindy Couchman summarized: “We do everything… We’re not the only school that has [these programs], but we do a little bit of everything. We try to provide big school opportunities with a small-town feel.” Here are some of the program highlights from kindergarten through high school. 

Grade School Programs 

Buhler grade school principal Kurt Geilenfeldt and counselor Catherine Engelken described how the school engages students and provides academic and behavior support. Like several other high-performing districts, the school implemented house groups inspired by the Ron Clark Academy, a nonprofit “demonstration” middle school located in southeast Atlanta, Georgia. The model groups students into multi-grade “houses” similar to those in the Harry Potter books and movies. 

“All of our kids, kindergarten through fifth, are sorted, kind of like Harry Potter-style, into these eight houses that were created,” said Geilenfeldt. “We get together to focus on the character trait of the month. We get together to do some team-building things. Some of our older kids are able to be mentors to our younger kids. For each house, there’s a chant, there’s a handshake, there’s a symbol, there’s things that we’re building.” The school leaders say the program gives students a broader sense of belonging, helping reduce absenteeism and supporting family engagement.  

Buhler Grade School also involves fourth and fifth graders in leadership and community projects. Additional initiatives include Run Club for physical activity and resilience, and the district’s Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) approach for academic and behavioral support. Virtually every high-achieving district uses MTSS to monitor student progress and provide time for individualized support, both helping students catch up on certain skills and providing enrichment for others. These programs are offered in the district’s three elementary schools. 

Middle School Initiatives 

Abby Thompson, principal of Buhler Prairie Hills Middle School, and teacher Ashley Bunting highlighted the school’s jobs initiative, which involves over 40 percent of students in roles such as library aides and morning readers. Over the past five years, participation has grown from 30-40 students to 226. This program develops leadership, prepares students for employment and boosts academic performance.  

Bunting explained, “They go to their job once a week… Some are library aides, teacher aides, morning readers that help greet the kids in the morning, lead the Pledge of Allegiance every day, window washers, math tutors, bulletin board designers.” Thompson added, “If they don’t keep their grades up, then they can’t go out to their job. So that, in turn, has them focus on their academics, because they don’t want to miss their jobs.” 

The school also offers a variety of electives, intramurals and after-school programs, supported by dedicated staff and strong community involvement. 

High School Programs 

Buhler High School (BHS) educators attribute their high postsecondary success to a strong partnership with Hutchinson Community College (HCC), which allows students to take technical and academic college courses while still in high school. Dual credit courses with HCC provide substantial cost savings. 

BHS Principal Michael Ellegood said, “We’re working very closely with Hutchinson Community College. They’re a big asset to us… [We have] 54 dual credit classes that we can offer through them.” High school journalism teacher Samantha Neill added, “Statistically, if you finish high school with nine to 12 hours of college credit, you’re more likely to finish [college]. Any school district that is not partnering with a local community college is missing out on dual credit opportunities.” 

Buhler also supports a strong network of Career Technical Education (CTE) courses and pathways for high school students. CTE courses prepare students for specific careers by combining academic knowledge with hands-on, technical skills, and real-world experiences. These courses, sometimes called vocational education, cover various fields like IT, health sciences and manufacturing, and can lead to industry certifications or further education in college or technical school. Pathways are sequences of CTE courses culminating in validation of skills learned. Students can participate in CTE student organizations that help them develop leadership, teamwork and career-specific skills through competitions, community service and networking.  

BHS ag instructor John Clark described the school’s agriculture programs and FFA organization. Buhler’s FFA chapter is among the largest in Kansas, and students excel in various competitions. The program teaches leadership, community service, and students can earn industry credentials such as OSHA 10 safety and ServSafe food handling. It also helps students document achievements and enhance student resumes and college applications.  

Clark shared, “When I first started, I had the philosophy of just getting students to high school graduation, but very quickly, I learned that if all I’m doing is getting them to the high school graduation stage, I’m failing as a high school teacher.” His objective is to help students become productive citizens long after graduation.  

To prepare students for postsecondary success and the workforce, Buhler offers a wide variety of high school courses, sports and activities. The district is already implementing the upcoming state graduation requirement of two postsecondary “assets” – basically, evidence of activities and achievements beyond high school courses. For two years, the district has participated in Jobs for America’s Graduates – Kansas (JAG-K), which provides additional support for students to complete high school.  

The high school also uses the “CRU” Academic Support System, named after the school mascot, the Crusaders, to support students with low grades. It involves a weekly review of students currently earning a D or an F, assigning affected students to teachers for mandatory tutoring, and requiring students with D grades in English and math to attend two targeted sessions weekly. CRU sessions also involve checking grades one-on-one, creating improvement checklists, assisting with teacher communication and teaching success skills. 

Virtual and Alternative Education 

Yet another method of helping students with different needs has been the development of three programs outside of regular school classrooms. These include Ad Astra Virtual Academy, a K-12 statewide virtual education and adult diploma completion program serving around 150 students mainly from Buhler and the surrounding region; Ad Astra Alternative Academy for 7 -12th graders, focusing on students with social anxiety, mental health issues, autism and ADHD; and the recently added Ad Astra STEAM Academy, which allows virtual students to get hands-on STEAM education in partnership with the Kansas Cosmosphere in Hutchinson. 

Erica Shook, Director of Ad Astra Academies, said the academies help students who are not successful in a traditional classroom setting and are at high risk of dropping out of school. “We’re helping them complete their high school diploma… Plus, we can help them take steps with social skills, which we intentionally build into the structure of our day.” Rapid program growth led the district to purchase and remodel a building in Hutchinson to house alternative and virtual school staff together.  

School Board Leadership and Community Service 

Buhler School Board President, Monte Cross, said the board prioritizes inclusivity, adding programs like unified bowling for special needs students and offering diverse classroom options. Both he and Superintendent Couchman praised the school board for its inquisitive, thoughtful approach to evaluating new initiatives, resulting in refinement and improvement before approval. Cross said, “Being inquisitive is different than being demanding. We ask questions because we genuinely want to know an answer, not because we have a quota on questions. We trust the people in their positions, but we also want to make well-informed decisions.”  

To help focus on supportive relationships between the schools and the community, the district   emphasizes community engagement, exemplified by Citizenship Day. Teams of teachers and students design and participate in community service activities, such as helping elderly neighbors, working at local shelters and learning practical skills like raking and handling trash bags. 

Buhler district leaders say the program teaches students about community service, shows students how they can contribute, provides opportunities for those not involved in other activities and builds a sense of community and belonging. They say those ideals support the district’s success. 

“There’s just been a long-standing culture here of doing the right thing for kids,” said Director of Elementary Schools Kyle McClure. “People see the need, and they’re empowered to do it.” Paul Erickson, Director of Secondary Schools, added, “The whole point is ensuring their (students) success outside of their time in your school district.” Couchman also emphasized, “If you have a really strong community and a really strong school, they kind of reflect each other, and we are fortunate to have this strong community support.”