Gordon Parks Elementary School

We’re thrilled to officially announce INSPIRE! 2026: UNMASKED, Gordon Parks Elementary’s annual student art exhibition and fundraising event honoring the legacy of our namesake, Gordon Parks.

INSPIRE! showcases the powerful creativity, voice, and stories of our students while raising critical funds that directly support learning experiences, programs, and opportunities at GPE. This year’s theme, UNMASKED, invites students to explore identity, authenticity, and the courage to share the stories that live in their hearts.

A heartfelt thank you to our INSPIRE! Host Committee for their leadership, generosity, and dedication in bringing this special event to life--we couldn’t do this without you.

✨GPE families: We will be hosting a separate, special viewing just for you! More details coming soon!

Save the date, spread the word, and get ready to be inspired. RSVP, donate and learn more at gordonparks.org/inspire

Enrollment is OPEN for 2026–2027!

At Gordon Parks Elementary, learning goes beyond the classroom. Through Project-Based Learning, our students tackle real-world challenges, think critically, collaborate deeply, and create work that makes a real impact.

With two educators in every classroom, free PK–5 education, door-to-door transportation, free meals, STEAM, arts, and strong community partnerships—we’re building foundational excellence that leads to impact.

Your child’s education should matter. Here, it does.

📲 Apply today: gordonparks.org/applyandenroll

Big hearts, bright beginnings 💛💙🩵❤️

Join us for our second 2026–2027 Kindergarten Round-Up! Come meet our teachers, explore our classrooms, and see what makes Gordon Parks Elementary a special place to grow.

📅 February 10th, 2026 | Visit https://gordonparks.org/2627-kindergarten-roundup to learn more and RSVP

Gordon Parks Elementary School Achievement  Excellence Connection  Impact Contact Lunch Menu Calendar News MOCAP Purchase SWAG Project Based Learning Social-Emotional learning Community Engagement At Gordon Parks Elementary School, we embody the spirit of Gordon Parks, the renowned African-American photographer and humanitarian...

📣 Update from Gordon Parks Elementary

Our School Open House has been postponed to next Saturday, January 31 | 10:00–12:00. We look forward to welcoming families to tour the school, meet our staff, and experience learning at GPE.

✨ Kindergarten Round-Up is still happening as planned!
📅 February 10 | 5:00 PM
🔗 RSVP here: https://gordonparks.org/2627-kindergarten-roundup

Both events are a great opportunity to see what makes Gordon Parks Elementary special--strong academics, project-based learning, and a community built on connection and care. We hope to see you there!

Two ways to explore Gordon Parks Elementary and see learning in action. 🦁

School Open House | Open to the public
📅 January 24 | 10:00–12:00
Tour the school, participate in a hands-on activity, and meet our team. Open to families K–5.

Kindergarten Round-Up
📅 February 10 | 5:00 PM
Discover what makes our kindergarten experience strong, supportive, and joyful.

At Gordon Parks Elementary, students learn in classrooms with two educators, small class sizes, and a strong focus on project-based learning that builds curiosity, confidence, and real-world problem solving. With door-to-door transportation, a deeply supportive community, and rapid academic growth and improving APR results, GPE is a place where students are known, challenged, and supported every day.

Gordon Parks Elementary School Achievement  Excellence Connection  Impact Contact Lunch Menu Calendar News MOCAP Purchase SWAG Project Based Learning Social-Emotional learning Community Engagement At Gordon Parks Elementary School, we embody the spirit of Gordon Parks, the renowned African-American photographer and humanitarian...

December at Gordon Parks Elementary was full of joy and connection. 🎶✨

From classroom holiday parties to our student holiday program, our school was filled with laughter, creativity, and proud moments. We’re grateful for our staff and families who made this season so special. 💛🦁

Friday’s Project-Based Learning Showcase captured everything special about Gordon Parks Elementary. Our students explored meaningful questions, created thoughtful solutions, and shared how their work can make a real Impact on our community.

Gordon Parks believed that “the most important thing is not what you look at, but what you see.” At GPES, our students are learning to see problems as opportunities--and to step into their role as young creators and change-makers.

Want to experience what Project-Based Learning looks like inside a school built on creativity and connection?

✨ Learn about PBL at GPES
https://gordonparks.org/project-based-learning
✨ See why families choose our mission
https://gordonparks.org/aboutgpes
✨ Enroll or join our interest list
https://schoolappkc.org/

November at Gordon Parks was filled with gratitude, growth, and community. 💛🍂

As we begin the last month of the year, we’re feeling incredibly thankful for everything our students, families, staff, and partners helped us accomplish in November. We kicked things off with STEAM Week, celebrating the subjects that push society forward and giving students hands-on opportunities to explore, experiment, and imagine.

A special thank you to Andy's Frozen Custard for donating treats to our Read for 15 October winners. What a sweet way to celebrate our readers!

Our 2nd graders’ PBL food drive was a huge success, thanks to the generosity of our community. Students collected, sorted, and organized donations as part of their project on helping families in need, and they saw firsthand the impact young people can make.

Our 5th graders also had an unforgettable experience this month. They attended a UMKC Women’s Basketball game and had the chance to visit with players afterward. It was an empowering day full of inspiration, teamwork, and big dreams.

We welcomed families and community members for a wonderful Thanksgiving Luncheon, filling our school with connection and joy. And we opened our doors to future Lions at Kindergarten Round Up, sharing a glimpse of the foundational excellence at the heart of Gordon Parks.

To everyone who donated, volunteered, participated, or supported us in any way this month, thank you. Our work is only possible because of the love and generosity of this community.

From Dr. Klippel:
I am so humbled to be a part of such a thriving community, one that is deeply committed to creating lasting life experiences for our kids, families, and the neighborhood we proudly serve.

Here’s to a strong December and the many moments of impact still ahead. 💛✨

At Gordon Parks Elementary, our students don’t just learn about the world--they learn how to change it. 🌍

This semester, our 2nd graders took on a powerful question:
“How can we work together to help families in our community who don’t have enough food?”

When we began in August, none of us could have predicted how real that question would become. Over the past month, our city and our own families have felt the weight of need and our students have responded with action, empathy, and hope.

Instead of stopping at a food drive, our 2nd graders are creating a class cookbook, student-created cooking videos so families can cook together, learn together, and connect around the table. (And student led cooking demonstrations at our PBL Showcase, Dec 5th!)

As Gordon Parks taught us, “The most important thing is not what you look at, but what you see.”
And our students see a community worth caring for.

Now, we invite you to join us! We’re collecting non-perishable food items and pantry staples to help our students bring their project to life.

📍Drop off donations at Gordon Parks Elementary during school hours through November 21st.

Together, we can teach our children that giving back, even in hard times, creates the strongest foundation of all: A community that takes care of one another.

Big thanks to Bridge Hill Eye and Access KC for providing free eye screenings and glasses to our Gordon Parks students! Clear vision means brighter futures and we’re so grateful for community partners who help our kids see their best and learn their best.

Big hearts, bright beginnings 💛💙🩵❤️

Join us for our first 2026–2027 Kindergarten Round-Up! Come meet our teachers, explore our classrooms, and see what makes Gordon Parks Elementary a special place to grow.

📅 November 18, 2025 | Learn more and RSVP at https://gordonparks.org/2627-kindergarten-roundup

Gordon Parks Elementary School Achievement  Excellence Connection  Impact Contact Lunch Menu Calendar News MOCAP Purchase SWAG Project Based Learning Social-Emotional learning Community Engagement