The document provides an analysis of the community surrounding Lee's Summit West High School in Lee's Summit, Missouri. It summarizes that Lee's Summit has experienced steady population growth and economic development in recent decades. It also outlines key details about the school district's budget, staffing, student demographics and community stakeholders. The city values education and recreational programs and has supported the school district through passing bonds and levies.

1. Lee's Summit West High School
Community Analysis
Amy Taylor - June 2010
City of Lee’s Summit
Lee’s Summit West High School opened its doors in 2004
and is the newest high school in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.
William B. Howard founded Lee’s Summit in 1868. At the
time of its incorporation there were 100 citizens, today the
city’s population is approximately 93,000. Although the
recent economic downturn has slowed the city’s growth some,
the city is maintaining its focus on improving the business
structure. Current projects include the revitalization of
downtown and the completion of Summit Fair, a 55,0000-
square-foot open-air shopping center.
The city has received many honors over the last several
The newly built Lee’s Summit City Hall years. Including: 2008 Best Downtown Public Improvement
http://www.city-data.com/forum/kansas-city/922249-lees-summit-mo.html Project, 2008's Best Place in Missouri to Raise Kids, 2009
National Digital Cities Survey WINNER, and the 2010
Missouri Arts Award for “Creative Community”.
City Population
th
Lee’s Summit is the 6 largest city in Missouri. Based on a
2007 census estimate, over 43% of the population 25 years
and older have a bachelors degree or higher, 96% has a high
school diploma or higher. 64% of the households consist of
married couples, whereas 10.6% are single parent homes.
The population has been steadily increasing since the 1960’s
but has slowed some in the last few years.
As part of the revitalization of downtown, Lee’s
Summit installed its first permanent piece of art
“Kids at Heart.”
http://downtownls.org/dlsblog/?cat=11
L e e ’s S u m m it, M is s o u ri
Chart from the 2008 development Report.
L o c a te d in th e S o u th e a s t o f th e K a n s a s
C ity M e tro a re a in w e s te rn M is s o u ri Approximately…
9000 LS residents are over 65 years of age
O c c u p ie s 6 5 .2 4 S q u a re M ile s 3000 are foreign born
46% work in management
M is s o u ri’s 6 t h la rg e s t c ity in p o p u la tio n
21% earn between $50,000 to $74,999
89% Caucasian, 7% African American, 3% Asian, 1% Latino

2. Lee's Summit West High School
Community Analysis
June 2010
Stakeholders Recreational Programs
According to Empowering Learners, for rich learning Lee’s Summit has an extensive Parks and Recreation
environments to grow it is important that SLMS, teachers, Program. Not only do they operate the many community
administrators, students, and all members of the learning parks they also run a variety of youth enrichment programs,
environment collaborate (2009, p.10.) The Lee’s Summit adult education courses, and many athletic events. In a
School District works diligently to make sure this 2008 Citizens Survey 84% of those surveyed were “satisfied”
happens. A list of several “stakeholder” organizations is or “very satisfied” in the quality of the parks and recreation
below: programs and facilities.
• Partners in Education – A group of over 250
businesses that work with schools to provide a School Board
connection between the business community and
classrooms. The school board consists of eight members, seven of which
• Citizens Advisory Committee – A group of 40 are elected for three-year terms. The eighth member is the
community members who make district superintendent. Of the eight members, one has been
recommendations to the Board. on the board for over ten years and two were elected in the
• Lee’s Summit Educational Foundation – A non- last two years. One member is a retired LS teacher and four
profit organization whose mission is to raise members currently have children who attend LS schools.
private funds to support the district’s educational The board is well respected and there is little dissension
initiatives. among the members.
• CSIP Committee - District wide committee
consisting of parents, teachers, administrators,
and other community members. They write the
districts school improvement goals.
• TEAM Lee’s Summit – A group of teachers,
administrators, and classified staff who meet
regularly to provide recommendations to the
board regarding staffing, salary, benefits, and
working environment.
Budgeting
Although the LS school district is considered a premier
district in the Greater Kansas City area, it spends the
least amount of money per student. The community has
been generous when passing bonds and levies. Since
2004 there has been six on ballots and all have passed.
However, because Lee’s Summit has little major industry
its tax base is small.
Tax
Rate
$5.9347
(per
$100
assessed
valuation)
Total
Expenditure
District
Budget
$193,161,888
(excluding
bond
funds)
Annual
operating
cost
per
student
$9,148
enrolled
Teacher
starting
salary
$33,305
Teacher
average
salary
$51,172
Assessed
valuation
$1,669,005,047

3. Lee's Summit West High School
Community Analysis June 2010
Staff
This year LSWHS had 121 teachers. According to the
Missouri Department of Education over 94% of the classes
taught at LSWHS were taught by highly qualified teachers.
Approximately two – three staff members leave each year.
Other significant information:
Average years of experience – 12.2 years
69% have a masters degree or higher
Student/Teacher Ratio – 20 to 1
School Demographics
93% of LSWHS students graduate and over 50% enter a
four-year university. Of the 1625 LSWHS students enrolled
in 2009, 5.7% qualified for free and reduced lunch. A
breakdown by race is below. Successes
LEE'S
SUMMIT
WEST
HIGH
2009
Lee’s Summit West has had many successes
Total
1,625
academically, athletically, and in the arts. Last year,
Asian
2.7%
88.6% of LSWHS students scored proficient or
advanced on the Communication Arts portion of the
Black
13.6%
Missouri end of course exams and 75% on the Math
Hispanic
2.7%
portion. 78% of LSWHS students take the ACT test
Indian
0.2%
and 49% score at or higher than the national average.
White
80.8%
At least 3 students have been named National Merit
Finalists over the last three years.
Other important factors to consider:
The school has six state championships and countless
• A considerable number of LSWHS students take district, conference, and sectional championships.
advanced courses
Other LSWHS extracurricular groups have won
• Students in extracurricular activities are usually numerous awards. Some of those groups are listed
involved in more than one below.
Debate
• Most LSWHS students have access to the Internet • Westside Stage
at home • Robotics Team
• Chess Club
• Cheerleading
Administration • Trapmasters
• FBLA
The administrative staff at LSWHS consists of a principal, • Yearbook
athletic/activities director, and three assistant principals. All • Newspaper
hold advanced degrees. The student to principal ratio is • Broadcasting
325 to 1. The administration works with staff through a lead • And many more
teachers council to develop school improvement goals and
policies.
All data was taken from the Missouri Department of Education
Website and reflect the numbers of 2009.

4. Lee's Summit West High School
Community Analysis
June 2010
Library Services
The Library Media Center must strive to meet the needs of all its patrons. Although the LSWHS population may not
appear diverse, its students do have a variety of interests and needs. The media center should survey their patrons
yearly to determine those interests and needs.
Of the three Lee’s Summit high schools, LSWHS has the highest % of minority students. The LSWHS library collection
should reflect this difference.
One can infer from the data that college preparation is of great concern for LSWHS students. For this reason the Library
Media Center should provide materials that will prepare the college bound student for his future endeavors. It should also
provide up to date resources for the selection of a college.
Also, because most LSWHS students have internet access and home and many are involved in extracurricular activities
which preclude them from using the Media Center during its open hours, it is important that the Media Center provide at
home access to their online resources.
Because the Lee’s Summit community has such high regard for education, it is important that the media center include
them in decision-making. It is also crucial that the media center inform the school stakeholders of their resources,
programming, and other efforts.
References
City
of
Lee's
Summit.
(n.d.).
City
of
Lee's
Summit.
Retrieved
from
http://cityofls.net/
Empowering
learners:
guidelines
for
school
library
media
programs.
(2009).
Chicago,
Ill:
American
Association
of
School
Librarians.
LEE'S
SUMMIT
R-­‐VII
-­‐-­‐LEE'S
SUMMIT
WEST
HIGH
2008-­‐09
School
Accountability
Report.
(n.d.).
Missouri
Department
of
Elementary
and
Secondary
Education.
Retrieved
from
http://dese.mo.gov/planning/profile/building/arsd0480711085 html
.
Statistics.
(n.d.).
Lee's
Summit
R-­‐7
School
District.
Retrieved
from
http://www.leesummit.k12.mo.us/districtinfo/statistics.htm
The
Kansas
City
Election
Board
-­‐
www.kceb.org/index.php.
(n.d.).
Retrieved
from
http://www.kceb.org/