Frequently Asked Questions
Platte County R-3 School District

To enroll a student in the Platte County R-3 School District the student's family must reside within the school district boundaries. Generally, it is a simple task to determine whether a residence is within the school district. It is suggested that, if in doubt as to the location of a residence under consideration, the county assessor's office be contacted to determine where school taxes for that property are paid. Portions of the Platte County R-3 District are in Platte County and Clay County, Missouri.

Once residency has been determined (schools within the district are asked to verify residency in the form of a contract if a family is renting, closing paperwork if a new purchase, or utility bills in the enrolling family's name for the address in question), the parent is to provide current immunization records (link to Missouri Dept. of Health immunization requirements) for the student(s) being enrolled, provide proof of age if entering kindergarten, complete all necessary paperwork for the transfer of existing school records at prior schools and supply all necessary information to insure the safety and well being of the child being enrolled.

Students entering public school from an unaccredited private school or from a home school setting may have an individualized achievement test administered to determine appropriate grade placement.

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How do I find out if school is cancelled due to inclement weather or other emergency situations?

Should school be cancelled or classes dismissed early due to inclement weather or other emergency situations, the district information line 816-858-2162 can be called. Once the message begins, select option 8. A recorded message will inform the listener as to the status of school. Additionally, the district contacts a metropolitan Kansas City based service that, in turn, releases the information to the media. Radio and television stations then start reporting the closing information to the public. The announcement is also posted on the homepage of this website. Another unique service, "Pirate Alerts" (text messaging), is available to anyone who wishes to subscribe. A link is available from the home page of this site as well as on each building's webpage.

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Is extended day care available at the school sites?

Yes, the district has an extended day care program at the four (4) sites serving elementary age children (kindergarten through 5th grade). This extremely popular, moderately priced program has a limited number of spaces available. Once those space limits are met, no more children can be served in the program at that site. To determine if space is available at a school your child is currently attending or one serving an area you are considering locating, you should contact the school directly (see schools on the homepage of this site).

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What is the age to start school?

Established by state law for all public schools in Missouri , the child must have turned five (5) prior to August 1 in order to start kindergarten.

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Can my student ride a bus to school?

Free district provided bus transportation is available to a high percentage of students in the district. Safe access and distance from school sites determines whether district provided transportation is available. Upon enrolling in the district, the location of your student(s) pick up and drop off will be gathered to assist in the assignment to the appropriate bus route. Specially equipped buses are utilized for students with physical handicaps that limit their ability to maneuver steps.

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How do I find out if a residential address is served by the Platte County R-3 School District?

Generally speaking, if the district transportation department is provided with the exact address and a description of where that address is located, an immediate determination can be made. In some rare cases, where addresses fall literally "on the boundary" line of the Platte County R-3 School District to neighboring districts, contacting the Assessor's Office in the appropriate county (Platte or Clay) would be advisable. The Assessor's Office can provide the inquiring party the answer as to which school district receives taxes from the property. The telephone number of the Platte County Assessor's Office is 816-858-2232 and the telephone number of the Clay County Assessor's Office is 816-792-7664.

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What are the boundaries of the Platte County R-3 School District?

With over 114 sq. miles of school district, the boundaries are difficult to describe in detail. A downloadable map (.pdf file) is available to assist you in determining whether a residence is in the school district. After reviewing the map, if in doubt, it is advisable to seek further information from the district's transportation department (816-858-4820) or contact the Platte or Clay County Assessor's Office to determine whether an address is within the district.

The district has two attendance centers for elementary (kindergarten through 5th grade) and middle school (6th through 8th grade) students. Students in the 9th through 12th grade all attend one school. A student must reside within the boundaries of the attendance center to attend that school. Referring to the downloadable map that can be accessed from the "District Admin/Bd. Of Ed." button on the homepage of this site or from the above paragraph:

- The Barry School (grades K-8) attendance boundaries include the area of the district south of N.W. 128th Street and east of Interstate 29.

- Rising Star Elementary (Kindergarten) attendance boundaries include all other areas of the district not described in the Barry School area.

- Siegrist Elementary (1st - 3rd Grade) attendance boundaries include all other areas of the district not described in the Barry School area.

- Paxton School (4th & 5th Grade) attendance boundaries include all other areas of the district not described in the Barry School area.

- Platte City Middle School (6th - 8th Grade) attendance boundaries include all other areas of the district not described in the Barry School area.

- Platte County R-3 High School attendance boundaries include all areas of the district.

The district's superintendent's office is located in Platte City six miles northwest of Kansas City International Airport. However, more than 40 percent of the 114 square mile district is within the city limits of Kansas City. Several of the northern Kansas City suburban districts have significant portions of their district in the city limits of Kansas City, Missouri. Although much of the Platte County R-3 School District is within the Kansas City, Missouri, municipal boundaries, the school district functions completely separate from the Kansas City (MO) Public School District . The location, schools and friendly atmosphere make it attractive to people wishing to relocate in or around the Kansas City area. While located within easy commuting distance of downtown Kansas City and its amenities, a rural, small-town atmosphere prevails.

Easy access to interstate highway systems serving the bi-state metropolitan area makes locating in the Platte County R-3 School District an excellent choice no matter where in the metropolitan area a person may work or choose for cultural or recreational outlets.

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My student is a special needs student and is currently receiving specialized services to meet his/her I.E.P. Who do I talk to about questions concerning his/her programming?

The Platte County R-3 School District offers most of the services needed by special needs students in each district facility, but some more specialized programs are located in centers in the district. The district meets all criteria established by I.D.E.A. Specific questions regarding students with special needs should be directed to Director of Student Services, Mrs. Debbie Stenner, 816-858-7001. Mrs. Stenner may also be contacted via e-mail at: stennerd@pcriii.k12.mo.us

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What level of accreditation does the Platte County R-3 School District have?

Through a process developed as a result of legislation, MSIP (Missouri School Improvement Plan) review has awarded the Platte County R-3 School District with "Accredited With Distinction" in the last formal full review in the Spring of 2001. Annual reviews based upon performance in several areas, has brought the district "Distinction in Performance" in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006. For detailed information about the accreditation, please select the "Accreditation" button on the upper left side of this page. You will then see a link to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education site.