A Heartfelt Thank You for an Amazing Evening on Eveningside 2025

We are incredibly grateful to our school community for making this year’s Evening on Eveningside a tremendous success! Led by Sarah Towle (Oliver-2nd), Bridget Elmer ‘91 (Mina-3rd, Henry-1st), and Debra Ricks, Director of Finance and Operations, this adults-only fundraiser brought our community together for a celebratory evening.

Thanks to your incredible generosity, we are thrilled to announce that Evening on Eveningside raised over $102,000 in support of Topeka Collegiate! As an independent school, we do not receive tax funding or financial support from religious institutions. Tuition and fees alone do not fully cover the cost of educating our students, making this fundraiser—and the Annual Fund—vital to sustaining and enhancing our programs. Your support has a direct and lasting impact on our students, faculty, and the future of our school. Thank you for investing in the success of Topeka Collegiate!

A special thank you goes to our dedicated volunteers, including Linda Fricke, Michael Hooper (Tucker-8th), Megan Leon (Sofia-8th, Izzy-1st), Carmen Anello, Leilani Grey, Shelly Robinson, and many others, whose hard work transformed our gym into a stunning, welcoming space for friends and families. We also want to express our gratitude to everyone who donated baskets, experiences, and sponsorships—your contributions play a crucial role in supporting our students and the school.

If you have ideas or would like to join the Board’s Development Committee to help shape the event, please reach out to us at sayhello@topekacollegiate.org.

Thank you once again for your incredible support and generosity. We couldn't have done it without you!



In case you missed the event, click here to purchase available items listed below: 

Overnight Gym Party:

Only 6 tickets remain for this event!! Your 3rd through 8th-grade students will enjoy an unforgettable night at school on Friday, May 16, from 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM on Saturday, May 17. The cost is $50 per student.

Reserved Seating & Parking:

Front-row seating and reserved parking are still available for the following events:

• Grade 8 Tribute on May 12, 2025
• Grade 4 Assembly (2026)
• Grade 7 Assembly (2026)
• Grade 8 Tribute (2026)
• Grade 8 Graduation Ceremony (2026)

We look forward to making Evening on Eveningside 2026 even more memorable!

SeaCamp 2025 - Aloha and Bon Voyage!

This Sunday morning, our 8th-grade students—along with science teachers Mr. Simons and Ms. Baldwin and Head of School Dr. Rantz—will embark on an unforgettable 6-day field trip to SeaCamp!  

They are incredibly grateful for everyone's support in helping make this trip possible through their fundraising efforts. This once-in-a-lifetime learning adventure will offer opportunities to snorkel and explore marine biology, visit the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Station on Maunakea (9,200 ft elevation), and dive into studies of oceanography, volcanology, and astronomy. They will also explore the history, human impact, and cultural heritage of the Hawaiian Islands. 

Please join us in wishing them a safe and enriching journey. We can't wait to hear about their experiences when they return to Topeka Collegiate on March 10!

Eighth-Grade Students Shine at Model UN

A huge congratulations to our 8th-grade students, who spent the last two days at the University of Kansas Model UN (TMUN)!

Model UN provides students with a hands-on opportunity to engage with international policy and understand the United Nations’ critical role in addressing global challenges. Throughout the year, our students have researched their assigned countries, written position papers, honed their public speaking skills, and drafted resolutions—all leading up to this two-day conference, where they debated pressing global issues and collaborated to propose solutions.

We are especially proud of Annaleigh B., who earned Best Negation Speech in World Council I, and Scott S., who was awarded Best Authorship Speech in World Council I—an incredible achievement! 

Bishop Seabury Presentation

Today, Grades 3-8 students were treated to a performance by the Bishop Seabury Theatre class. Their presentation of Pixies, Kings, and Magical Things: Four Tales by Hans Christian Andersen was written by a local playwright, Ric Averill, who added new twists to the four tales shared. There were many smiles and much laughter in the Assembly Hall during the 45 minute show.

Elizabeth Sullivan, the Bishop Seabury Director of Theatrical Arts, is a Topeka native who has connections to many Topeka Collegiate alumni. We look forward to a continued partnership between the two schools, sharing our student experiences!

Third-Quarter Report Cards

With just nine days left in this quarter, things are at a fever pitch; students finishing homework responsibilities, teachers preparing for the final assignments, and all of the Beyond the Book activities that take place this time of year.

As the third quarter comes to a close, teachers will begin preparing comments and grades for reporting. As the quarter’s end falls just prior to Spring Break, report cards will be sent on Monday, March 31, following the student's return to school.

SUMDay Competition

The Mathletics teams are engaged in heavy practice sessions as they prepare for the annual SUMDay competition held at Washburn Rural Middle School. This is an activity for Shawnee County students in grades fourth through eight, and traditionally, Topeka Collegiate students find themselves being recognized for their math acumen.

Along with sponsors Mr. Park, Mrs. Kopshinsky, and Mrs. Buche, students will participate on Saturday, March 29, beginning at 8:00 AM. Best of luck to all our participating students!

Upcoming Beyond the Book Experiences

Beyond the Book activities are a staple at Topeka Collegiate, many of which are integrated into our culture, another example of what sets us apart from other schools.

If you look at the calendar of events at the end of this Connection, you will see several of these experiences listed for the weeks ahead. However, each day more events and activities are being planned for and with the students. They will be added to the calendar as soon as the date and details are secured.

Over the next ten weeks, each grade level will be participating in several Beyond the Book experiences, some on-site, but most off campus. We are appreciative of the parents who are able to transport students to the off-campus events and activities. We could not do this without your generosity and support!

Yearbook Submissions

Complimentary student yearbooks will be ordered soon!

Each family receives two customizable pages at no cost, with an option to purchase additional pages to commemorate all your child's school year adventures.

Click here for instructions on how to submit these special yearbook pages!

Submissions are due by Sunday, March 23.

Summer Blast

Summer Blast registration is now open! We are excited for a new summer filled with adventures, fun, creativity, and learning!

Scan the QR code or click here for details and to register today.

We are excited to support their journeys and watch them thrive in their learning adventures!

Help Us Grow Topeka Collegiate!

We are always looking to connect with families seeking an independent school education, and we need your help to broaden our reach! Here’s how you can make a difference:

✅ Leave a Review & Engage on Social Media – Share your positive experience at Topeka Collegiate by leaving a review on Google or Facebook. Your words help prospective families discover our vibrant community! And don’t forget to check in and tag Topeka Collegiate when posting on social media—word of mouth is the most powerful way to grow our school’s impact.

✅ Spread the Word – Know an organization that values education and children? Invite Dr. Rantz to speak and share the Topeka Collegiate story or bring that group on campus for a meeting. This could be a business meeting or an organization such as Rotary, Junior League, or a GTP event. We are eager to partner with a local company to help us reach more families who would benefit from our school.

✅ Connect Us with Realtors – We are looking for a Sunflower Association of Realtors, Inc. member to help introduce Dr. Rantz to local realtors.  This connection will allow us to share our school with families moving to the area. If you are a member or can connect us with one, please reach out to Dr. Rantz directly.

If you have other ideas for increasing our enrollment, just let us know. Your support helps us grow and strengthen the Topeka Collegiate community. Thank you for being an advocate for our school!

2025-2026 Admissions

Now is the time to submit an application to www.topekacollegiate.org/admissions for your rising Eagle. Apply today or connect with Leilani Grey at lgrey@topekacollegiate.org if you have any questions.