De Soto Unified School District 232

What De Soto Unified School District 232 does

Unified School District No. 232, Johnson County, Kansas, operating as De Soto USD 232, is a public K-12 school district headquartered at 35200 West 91st Street, De Soto, Kansas. Founded in 1962 through state-mandated consolidation of the De Soto City School District with six one-room schoolhouse districts, the district serves more than 7,300 students from early childhood through grade 12 across 13 campuses: seven K-5 elementary schools (Belmont, Clear Creek, Horizon, Mize, Prairie Ridge, Riverview, Starside), three middle schools (Lexington Trails, Mill Creek, Monticello Trails), two high schools (De Soto High School and Mill Valley High School), and the Cedar Trails Exploration Center (CTEC). The district's territory spans nearly 100 square miles in northwest Johnson County, including portions of De Soto, Shawnee, Lenexa, and Olathe. Core programs include the CTEC CAPS career-technical education pathways in healthcare, aviation, agriculture, and culinary arts, the Early Childhood Center, The Bridge transition program for ages 18-21, and a Virtual Education Program (VEP) for grades 9-12.

The district's technology stack is composed of vendor-supplied educational platforms rather than proprietary systems: Canvas (Instructure) for learning management, Skyward Qmlativ for student information, Microsoft 365 for productivity, Securly for web content filtering, FastBridge for universal screening and assessment, the FirstView parent app for transportation tracking, Nutrislice for food service, EFUNDS for online payments, and Applitrack for hiring. A district-wide MacBook Initiative provides 1:1 devices to students, and the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework structures academic, social, and behavioral interventions. The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation partnership supports a Real World Learning initiative with a goal that 100% of students graduate with at least one Market Value Asset (internship, industry credential, college credit, or entrepreneurial experience) by 2030.

As a public entity, USD 232 does not charge tuition to resident students and is funded primarily through local property taxes and Kansas Department of Education state aid, with supplemental revenue from facility rentals, transportation fees, before/after school programs, and voter-approved bond issuances. The district is governed by a seven-member elected Board of Education (six geographic positions plus one at-large) and led by Superintendent Dr. Cory Gibson, who joined on July 1, 2023. The district holds a Moody's Aa2 credit rating (2026) and has reduced its bond mill levy from 36.825 mills (2010) to 15.366 mills (2025/26). Most recently, voters approved the $99.85 million Bond 2026 in March 2026 with no tax rate increase to fund safety upgrades, CTEC CAPS and early childhood expansion, and facility improvements across 13 campuses.

Name

De Soto Unified School District 232

Legal name

Unified School District No. 232

Website

https://usd232.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

De Soto USD 232 is a public K-12 school district in northwest Johnson County, Kansas, serving 7,300+ students across 13 campuses (7 elementary, 3 middle, 2 high schools, plus CTEC), funded by local property taxes and state aid with no tuition for residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Public Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Other Schools and Instruction (6116), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public School Districts (K–12) (EDADABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public K–12 Combined Schools (EDAJAAAE), Public Virtual & Blended Learning Programs (District-Run) (EDAJAAAI)

Keywords

• K-12 public education
• Career technical education
• School district operations
• Early childhood programs
• Special education services

Headquarters

HQ city

De Soto

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Property Tax Revenue: Primary funding source from property taxes within district boundaries. Bond mill levy rates have been reduced from 36.825 mills (2010) to 15.366 mills (2025/26), reflecting efficient fiscal management and reduced debt.
2. State Education Funding: State funding from Kansas Department of Education based on enrollment and categorical programs including special education and at-risk student support.
3. Bond Issuance: Voter-approved bonds for capital projects. Bond 2026 proposes $99.85 million for safety, facility improvements, and CTE expansion with no tax rate increase.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

De Soto Unified School District 232 provides free public K-12 education to more than 7,300 students across 13 campuses in northwest Johnson County, Kansas, including seven elementary schools, three middle schools, two high schools, and the Cedar Trails Exploration Center. The district delivers core academic instruction plus career technical education through CTEC CAPS, special education services, early childhood programs, and the Virtual Education Program, supported by district-wide technology initiatives including a 1:1 MacBook program.

Product overview

USD 232 is a public school district operating 13 campuses: seven K-5 elementary schools, three middle schools (grades 6-8), two high schools (De Soto High School and Mill Valley High School), and the Cedar Trails Exploration Center (CTEC). The district serves approximately 7,300 students across nearly 100 square miles in northwest Johnson County, Kansas. Key educational programs include CTEC CAPS (Center for Advanced Professional Studies) providing career and technical education pathways, CTEC Early Childhood Center, The Bridge transition program for ages 18-21, and the Virtual Education Program for alternative online learning. The district partners with the Kauffman Foundation for Real World Learning, offering students Market Value Assets such as internships, college credit, and industry credentials. Family-facing technology services include Skyward Family Access, FirstView Parent App (transportation tracking), and EFUNDS online payments. Academic support is delivered through MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) with tiered intervention frameworks, with technology platforms including Canvas LMS, FastBridge assessment, and Microsoft 365 productivity tools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CTEC CAPS: Center for Advanced Professional Studies - a program dedicated to providing high school students with academic and technical skills, knowledge, and training necessary to succeed in career pathways
• The Bridge
• USD 232 Education Foundation

Products and services

• USD 232 Elementary Schools Seven K-5 elementary schools (Belmont, Clear Creek, Horizon, Mize, Prairie Ridge, Riverview, Starside) serving approximately 3,300 students with core curriculum in reading, math, science, social studies, plus art, music, library, technology, social-emotional learning, and physical education.
• USD 232 Middle Schools Three middle schools (Lexington Trails, Mill Creek, Monticello Trails) serving grades 6-8 with standards-aligned curriculum, career exploration programs, and extracurricular activities.
• USD 232 High Schools Two high schools (De Soto High School and Mill Valley High School) offering comprehensive academic programs, career pathways, fine arts, athletics, and preparation for postsecondary success.
• CTEC CAPS (Center for Advanced Professional Studies) Career and technical education program providing high school students with academic and technical skills through industry-aligned pathways in healthcare, aviation, agriculture, and culinary arts, located at Cedar Trails Exploration Center.
• CTEC Early Childhood Center Early childhood education program serving young learners, operated as part of the Cedar Trails Exploration Center campus.
• The Bridge Special services program for students ages 18-21 providing transition support and life skills development.
• Virtual Education Program (VEP) Alternative online education program for high school students (grades 9-12) outside the traditional school setting, providing self-paced, comprehensive online learning for students needing flexible schedules or non-traditional learning environments. Enrollment requires recommendation by home school's student intervention team.
• Real World Learning Partnership with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation providing students opportunities to earn Market Value Assets including college credit, internships, client-connected projects, and industry credentials to prepare for college and careers. Goal is 100% of students graduating with one or more Market Value Assets by 2030.
• Internship Program High school internship program providing students real-world, hands-on work experience at off-campus placements related to their career interests, with business partners guiding and evaluating future talent.
• FirstView Parent App Transportation tracking mobile application enabling parents to monitor school bus locations and receive estimated arrival times for students.
• Skyward Family Access Online portal for parents and students to access grades, attendance records, schedules, assignments, and other school-related information via the Skyward Qmlativ student information system.

Named customers2 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Ewing Marion Kauffman FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSD 232 has partnered with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation to implement Real World Learning initiatives. The partnership aims to ensure students graduate with Market Value Assets including college credit, internships, industry certifications, and entrepreneurial experiences. By 2030, the goal is for 100% of students to graduate with one or more Market Value Assets.
• Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSD 232 participates in state programs including Kansas College & Career Ready Standards, Kansas Work-Based Learning pilot, and state assessments. The district was one of five Kansas school districts in the initial WBL Pilot program.
• Local Business PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness partnerships provide internship opportunities for high school students. Employers guide and evaluate future talent while students gain real-world work experience. Contact: Ceresa Shaffer at [email protected] for partnership inquiries.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Eudora Schools (USD 491): Douglas County K-12 district in the greater Kansas City region; comparable in scale to USD 232 with a similar mix of elementary, middle, and high school operations.
• Tonganoxie School District (USD 464): Leavenworth County K-12 district operating in a similar growing-suburban corridor; comparable district structure and Kansas funding framework, though serving a different sub-region.

Direct peers

• Gardner Edgerton School District (USD 231): Adjacent Johnson County district serving growing suburban communities southwest of USD 232; similar demographic and funding profile with overlapping open-enrollment dynamics.
• Olathe Public Schools (USD 233): Neighboring Johnson County district with overlapping service area in the Kansas City metro; comparable K-12 public district structure, similar funding model, and direct competition for open-enrollment students.
• Basehor-Linwood School District (USD 458): Leavenworth County district near USD 232's service area; comparable smaller-scale suburban K-12 district with similar property-tax funding structure.
• Blue Valley Schools (USD 229): High-performing Johnson County K-12 district often cited alongside USD 232 in state rankings; similar suburban profile, similar tax-base funding model, and direct competitor for top district rankings.
• Shawnee Mission School District (USD 512): Largest Johnson County, KS school district operating multiple high schools and feeder K-12 campuses; directly comparable as a suburban Kansas public K-12 district competing for similar students and tax base.
• Spring Hill School District (USD 230): Johnson County-area K-12 district with comparable size and suburban growth profile; competes for open-enrollment students and shares Kansas state funding and accountability frameworks.
• Lansing School District (USD 469): Northeast Kansas suburban K-12 district operating multiple schools; comparable governance structure and reliance on state and local property tax funding.

Broad incumbents

• Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (USD 500): Larger urban Kansas K-12 district operating in the Kansas City metro; comparable in operating model and Kansas accountability framework, but with an urban rather than suburban profile and greater scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@usd232
• Facebookfacebook.com/USD232official
• Instagraminstagram.com/usd232official
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/de-soto-unified-school-dist

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Subsidiaries13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about De Soto Unified School District 232