Derby Public Schools was recognized with several honors from the 2025 Kansans Can Star Recognition Program. This Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) program recognizes the exceptional work school districts are doing to reach the state’s vision for education - Kansas leads the world in the success of each student. District success is recognized in the outcome measures Kansans said they value. These outcomes, categorized as either quantitative or qualitative measures, are serving as a roadmap to help Kansas reach its educational vision. Read more about the Kansans Can Star Recognition Program and the success measures. 

Derby Public Schools was honored with the following awards:

Individual Plan of Study:
Silver -  To be eligible for this recognition, a district must have inclusive and quality opportunities for students to experience connected learning that not only develops academic knowledge, but technical and employability skills as well.

Social-Emotional Growth:
Silver - Recognition is based upon key district-level practices needed to measure social emotional growth as identified from the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) comprehensive research and evidence-based.

Civic Engagement:
Silver - Recognizes schools that actively involve students in civic engagement opportunities and collects exemplary practices to share with schools across the state.

High School Graduation:
Bronze - To be eligible for this recognition, a district must be performing at or above its predicted postsecondary effectiveness rate.

Kindergarten Readiness:
Bronze - Districts are recognized for offering quality, inclusive opportunities to young children and their families, so that each student is prepared socially, emotionally and academically to begin kindergarten at age 5.