Hello Families and Friends,

This Connection, we proudly celebrate the dedication and hard work of our students participating in a variety of academic competitions. From spelling bees and math contests, to chess tournaments and science fairs, our students are showcasing their talents, critical thinking, and perseverance on local and regional stages. Their commitment to excellence and willingness to challenge themselves inspire us all and reflect the very best of our school community. We are excited to see their efforts rewarded and look forward to cheering them on in the months ahead!

• Click here for a full list of 2025 academic achievements and upcoming competitions.

The students at Topeka Collegiate are more than scholars—they are funny, kind, creative, and deeply thoughtful. Whether they’re sharing a joke, telling me about their latest project, or simply chatting about their world, their energy and enthusiasm light up our campus.

Recently, the Nation’s Report Card was released, providing a snapshot of literacy and numeracy across the country based on 4th and 8th-grade NAEP scores. The results indicate that students nationwide are still grappling with challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with notable declines in reading and only minimal improvements in mathematics.

This report came at a time when our Leadership Team had just completed an in-depth data review of our own students’ performance. At a recent Board of Trustees meeting, Mrs. Dudinyak and Mr. Flax presented on our Lower and Middle School assessments, and even I—who witness our teachers’ and students’ dedication every day—was astonished by the remarkable outcomes.

For example, 

• Grade 4 Quantitative Reasoning: 82% scored in the top three stanines (compared to 23% nationally).
• Grade 4 Verbal Reasoning: 70% reached the top three stanines (compared to 23% nationally).
• Grade 5 Vocabulary: 59% achieved top scores (compared to 23% nationally).
• Grade 6 Writing Mechanics: 80% scored in the top three stanines (compared to 23% nationally).
• Grades 7 and 8: Not a single student scored in the lowest three stanines, where nationally 23% typically do.

Once again, Topeka Collegiate alumni, representing less than 1% of Shawnee County’s high school seniors, accounted for over 25% of the county’s National Merit Semifinalists. 

Congratulations to our Eagles from the Class of 2021, Aditi Nimishakavi and Wyatt Humphrey, on earning National Merit Semifinalist honors in 2025!

These exceptional results highlight the unique strength of our curriculum and affirm the remarkable achievements of our students and faculty. From academic rigor to personal growth, our school stands apart, and I couldn’t be prouder of the vibrant, well-rounded community we’ve built together. 

As we move into our enrollment season, your pride in our school’s successes helps us grow and serve more children and families. We love to hear your feedback; you can email sayhello@topekacollegiate.org when you have questions on assessments or other performance areas. Thank you for sharing our story with others!

Sincerely,

Lyn Rantz, Ed.D. P'19, P'21

Head of School

Admissions

Now is the time to submit an application www.topekacollegiate.org/admissions for your rising Eagle, before our recruitment season begins in February. Apply today or connect with Leilani Grey if you have any questions.

Welcome New Eagle

We are delighted to welcome Sophia M. to Mrs. Brewer’s 2nd-grade class. Sophia was previously attending school at home, and we are so glad to have her on campus!

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.

Humanitarianism

Recently, many of our students took the time to send caring and thoughtful cards to students, faculty & staff at Polytechnic School in Pasadena. Several members of their school community are victims of the Eagan Fire.

This school is the alma mater of our own Leilani Grey, making our support especially meaningful. If you wish to participate, please do.

Cards can be dropped off to either Mrs. Grey or Mrs. Harrison. Thank you!

From the Academic Dean

Through our partnership with Washburn University, we were excited to welcome exchange student Jingyu Zheng (Jane) from China to Topeka Collegiate.

As part of the Chinese Exchange Program, Jane is spending two weeks with our middle school students, experiencing American education. Jane has enjoyed learning about Topeka Collegiate and has shared her own Chinese school experience.

Earlier this week, she visited Mrs. Kelley Berryman’s kindergarten class to teach students how to count to ten in Chinese. We look forward to one more week with Jane and are grateful to Washburn University for facilitating this opportunity! We hope to continue this enriching exchange in the future.

COVID and Flu Testing

As a reminder, we are pleased to offer testing services for COVID and Flu to all current staff and students. We have OTC Take-home and Point-of-Care tests through our Wellness Coordinator, Jennifer Russell. For more information please see our website.

Enrollment and Fee Rates

Families received an email outlining the next steps, if necessary, for re-enrollment for the 2025-2026 academic year. If re-enrollment is uncertain, the email includes the deadlines for that process.

Childcare Payments for Tax Purposes

Child Care payment information is available through your FACTS payment account. Simply click the blue "View Details" button in the PAYMENT PLANS & BILLING section. On the next page, you can use the blue "View Payment Summary" button at the top to review your payment activity by calendar year or specific date range. Please note that calendar year information is separated by academic years, so be sure to include the total amount when using this for tax purposes.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Debra Ricks, Director of Finance and Operations, at dricks@topekacollegiate.org.