Topeka USD 501, also known as Topeka Public Schools, is a public unified school district headquartered in Topeka, Kansas, United States. It is one of four school districts that serve the city of Topeka. Serving 13,430 students in the 2019-2020 school year, the district comprises 5 high schools, 6 middle schools, 15 elementary schools, and 7 other schools focused on serving other Pre-K-12 students. It has the highest enrollment of all school districts in Shawnee County. Topeka Public Schools is widely known for its role in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education school desegregation case.

The school district is currently under the administration of Superintendent Tiffany Anderson.

The Board of Education is currently under the leadership of President Scott Mickelsen and Vice President John Williams.

The school district operates the following schools:

High schools

Traditional high schools:

• Highland Park High School
• Topeka High School
• Topeka West High School

Non-traditional high schools:

• Capital City High School
• Hope Street Academy

Middle schools

• Chase Middle School
• Eisenhower Middle School
• French Middle School
• Jardine Middle School
• Landon Middle School
• Robinson Middle School

Elementary schools

• Highland Park Central Elementary School
• Jardine Elementary - opened Aug. 2017
• Lowman Hill Elementary School
• McCarter Elementary School
• McClure Elementary School
• McEachron Elementary School
• Meadows Elementary School
• Quincy Elementary School
• Randolph Elementary School
• Ross Elementary School
• Scott Dual Language Magnet School
• State Street Elementary School
• Whitson Elementary School
• Williams Science & Fine Arts Magnet School

Early Childhood Education Programs

• Kansas Preschool Program at Quinton Heights Education Center
• Parents As Teachers at Quinton Heights Education Center
• Sheldon Child Development Center - Head Start
• Pine Ridge Prep - State Pre-K Program
• Shaner Early Learning Academy

Closed Schools

• Avondale East Elementary School - closed after 2011-12 school year
• Avondale West Elementary School - students moved to Jardine Elementary Aug. 2017
• Bishop Elementary School - students moved to Jardine Elementary Aug. 2017
• Linn Elementary School - closed, due to budget cuts
• Lundgren Elementary School - closed in 2011
• Quinton Heights Elementary School - now Quinton Heights Preschool Program
• Shaner Elementary School - students moved to Jardine Elementary Aug. 2017
• Stout Elementary School - closed in 2022

Other Facilities

• Adult Education Center at Washburn Tech
• Sheldon Head Start
• Hope Street Academy
• Capital City School
• Topeka Center for Advanced Learning and Careers

Several buildings and facilities are operated by Topeka Public Schools in support of learning, including:

• McKinley L. Burnett Administrative Center
• Chandler Field, adjacent to the former school building, used as a practice field
• Erickson Suite, a suite of 5 buildings on the former Kansas State Hospital grounds, hosting the USD 501 Campus Police, Hummer Sports Park management, and several program offices
• Hummer Sports Park, a six-sport facility available for outside use as well as by TPS athletic programs
• TPS Service Center
• Bishop Professional Development Center

• 81.3% Graduation rate in 2020
• 4,400 Students use district transportation every day
• 14,500 Meals served at breakfast and lunch (72% Free or reduced lunch)
• 2,471 District employees (19 district administrators, 67 building administrators, 1305 certified personnel, 1706 classified personnel)

• Kansas State Department of Education
• Kansas State High School Activities Association
• List of high schools in Kansas
• List of unified school districts in Kansas

Topeka is served by four public school districts, including:

• Seaman USD 345 (serving North Topeka)
• Auburn–Washburn USD 437 (serving west and southwest Topeka)
• Shawnee Heights USD 450 (serving extreme east and southeast Topeka)
• Topeka USD 501 (serving inner-city Topeka)

• Official website