Western Plains USD 106

USD 106 is a school district with two main campuses: Western Plains North is located in Ransom, KS and houses PreK-5 and 9-12. Western Plains South is located in Bazine, KS and houses PreK-5 and 6-8.

"Western Plains USD 106 is the final step in a consolidation that included schools from Arnold, Bazine, Brownell, Ransom, and the closing of the Utica Schools. Arnold and Brownell High Schools were the first to join Ransom due to consolidation in 1960. Brownell, as well as Arnold, continued to teach grade school students, creating a "17 mile campus" for the Ransom elementary. However, after the 1969 school year, both Arnold and Brownell campuses closed completely. Following the 2000-2001 school year, Utica High School closed. The Utica Grade School followed in 2004. At the end of the 2004 school year, Ransom and Bazine made the decision to consolidate, resulting with a South Elementary and Junior High in Bazine and a North Elementary and High School. Thus, Western Plains was born." (Jonathan Mask, Editor of the 2016 Yearbook)

Facilities and Technology:

Both Western Plains campuses boast wonderful, clean facilities complete with state-of-the-art technology. New sound systems in both gymnasiums, a 1:1 iPad initiative, a brand-new computer lab filled with 16 iMacs, and a new MacBook Pro lab at the high school are just some examples of the technology we are using in our classrooms. Our facilities include other technology such as SMART boards, Promethean boards, and Apple TVs. Students have the world at their fingertips and access it every day via these technologies. We also believe in a hands-on approach, and teaching students to utilize all resources available to them. Students tend to retain more information when they have a hands-on experience, and our technology allows that.

Opportunity:

Students are offered many opportunities for participation. We offer athletics for both junior high and high school levels, including football, volleyball, boys and girls basketball, track and field, and cheerleading. Our student clubs and organizations regularly send students to compete at the State level. Students can be involved in the wonderful Scholars Bowl tradition, award winning school newspaper "Cat Tracks," the yearbook, band and vocal, weightlifting, and other clubs including KAY, FFA, FBLA, Forensics, and Student Council.

College Courses:

Western Plains offers many college credit courses and helps pay for books and fees both online and in the classroom.  Western Plains has the lowest enrollment fees of any district in the area and there are no additional fees charged for any student to participate in an activity.

Location:

USD 106 is located in the heartland of Kansas, but each community has access to businesses and services within that community. Both towns are within an hour's driving distance of larger cities such as Hays, Great Bend, and Dodge City, which offer other services as well.

Transportation: 

We recognize the distance between campuses is more than that of many school districts. However, we offer free transportation both ways, with fully qualified drivers, to ensure that the students are safe while transported. Transportation is always offered to and from events, and during the normal school day. We invite you to contact us with any transportation questions or concerns.

Vision:

Our overall district enrollment currently stands at 120 students, PreK-12. We would love to grow this number of students. However, as it currently stands the smaller numbers provide advantages to our students.  Each student is privileged to learn in a classroom setting where the focus is truly student-centered. No one is left behind, forgotten, or ignored. Each student is truly provided the utmost opportunies to excel, including the ability to take college classes both in the classroom and online. We are happy to sit down and discuss any questions you may have. At Western Plains, we believe actions speak louder than words. We invite you to come see for yourself what Western Plains has to offer. 

Student Comments:

When asked to fll in the sentence "It's great to be a Bobcat because....." here are some answers submitted by our students:

    ...."you're never alone, no matter what!"

    ...."everyone is treated as equals."

    ...."of sports."

    ...."our school does well academically."

    ...."I love this school and the pride."

    ...."you get to be yourself- you don't have to be someone else to fit in."

    ...."all the students and faculty are so helpful and polite."

    ...."growing up in a small community is fun."

We truly believe all of these reasons and more. Come experience Bobcat Country for yourself- you'll be glad you did!