Public elementary and secondary schools within the Topeka corporation limits are administered by Topeka Public Schools (TPS) United School District #501. The school superintendent is appointed by a nonpartisan, seven-member board of education.
Six elementary schools in the district met the Kansas Standards of Excellence in 2004, a challenging target that no TPS school had attained since 1996. Superintendent W.L. Sawyer credited the hard work of teachers and administrators as well as an increased focus on professional development. Six additional schools posted gains exceeding 15 percent on state reading or math assessments.
The district features two state-of-the-art elementary magnet schools—one emphasizing computer technology and the other with a science and fine arts theme. The district has an extensive special education program, a business partnership program, a school volunteer program, full-day kindergarten in several schools, preschool programs, out-of-district enrollment options, alternative education, and a Kids Voting program.
The following is a summary of data regarding the Topeka public schools as of the 2003–2004 school year.
Total enrollment: 14,058
Number of facilities elementary schools: 21
middle schools: 6
senior high schools: 4
other: 4
Student/teacher ratio: 13.1:1 (2002–2003)
Teacher salaries
minimum: $26,655
maximum: $45,554
Funding per pupil: $4,946
Educational alternatives are offered by 15 private and parochial private schools in Topeka. Special schools include the Capper Foundation and TARC (the Topeka Association for Retarded Children).
Public Schools Information: Topeka Public Schools, USD 501, 624 W 24th Street, Topeka, KS 66611; telephone (785)575-6100
Washburn University, a public institution enrolling nearly 7,000, offers more than 100 programs in its College of Arts and Sciences and its faculties of Law, Business, Nursing, and Applied and Continuing Education. Washburn's law school counts nationally recognized lawyers, judges and politicians among its alumni. The University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas State University in Manhattan and Emporia State University are within 50 miles of Topeka.
Friends University and Baker University offer adult education at campuses in Topeka.
Among the eight occupational/technical schools located in the Topeka area are Kaw Area Technical School and Topeka Technical College.
Topeka is home to several major libraries. The Topeka & Shawnee County was reopened in 2002 after a 100,000 square foot expansion designed by renowned architect Michael Graves. The library holds approximately 538,000 items including books, periodicals, microfilms, compact discs, slides, audiotapes and videotapes. Its Alice C. Sabatini Gallery houses the oldest public art collection in the city. The library also offers an outreach program with two Bookmobiles and an Adventure Mobile for children.
The Kansas State Library maintains an extensive collection of books, documents and videos with a focus on government and public affairs. The library also operates a free talking book program for patrons with visual impairments, physical impairments or reading disabilities in Emporia. The Kansas State Historical Society Library contains a state archival collection as well as archaeological and genealogical materials, manuscripts, maps, photographs and federal documents. Washburn University's Mabee Library and Law Library, the Kansas Supreme Court Law Library, the Topeka Genealogical Society Library, and libraries associated with corporations, hospitals, and state agencies are also located in Topeka.
Public Library Information: Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 SW Tenth Avenue, Topeka, KS 66604; telephone (785)580-4400