Our Vision To foster a culture where every student succeeds.

Our Mission Statement To prepare every student for success through superior educational programs delivered by highly effective educators, who use innovative, research-based strategies in a safe and supportive environment in collaboration with family and community members.

Our Core Values “Purpose, Excellence, Service” Serving our community with purpose to achieve excellence! 

Every Student. Every Day.

USD 449 spans 117 square miles in northwest Leavenworth County and serves 642 students across three attendance centers: Pleasant Ridge Elementary School (Pre-K through grade 5), Pleasant Ridge Middle School (grades 6–8), and Pleasant Ridge High School (grades 9–12). The district is located in a rural area between Easton, Leavenworth, and Atchison, Kansas. We are situated just eight miles from Leavenworth, home to Fort Leavenworth, a major U.S. military installation, and within a 30-minute drive of shopping, dining, and business opportunities in the Kansas City metropolitan area.

Our district employs 52 certified teachers and 42 support staff, maintaining a favorable student-to-teacher ratio of 14:1. We offer a comprehensive K–12 educational program that includes special education services, preschool, at-risk support, college preparatory coursework, and nine approved Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways. These pathways provide students with opportunities to earn certifications, dual credit, or scholarships through established articulation agreements with area colleges and universities.

Pleasant Ridge High School students may earn dual credit through partnerships with Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC) and the University of St. Mary. Additionally, students may attend the Highland Community College Technical Center (HCCTC) in Atchison, Kansas, where they can pursue industry certifications or begin coursework toward an associate degree.

USD 449 supports a wide range of extracurricular activities and student organizations. Fifth-grade girls may participate in Girls on the Run, a program designed to build self-confidence and promote physical fitness. The district is also proud of its consistent state and national recognition in Future Farmers of America (FFA) and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) competitions, where students develop practical skills and represent their school and community with pride.

Strong community partnerships are a hallmark of USD 449. The district collaborates closely with Easton Youth Activities (EYA) to provide K–6 students with access to sports programs including baseball, softball, basketball, wrestling, football, and cheerleading. Many USD 449 educators and board members also serve on the EYA Board or volunteer as coaches, demonstrating our shared commitment to the motto: “Children First.”

Pleasant Ridge High School has a strong history of success in the Burns & McDonnell Battle of the Brains STEM competition, having placed as a Top 20 Finalist in multiple competition cycles. Most notably, during the 2015–2016 school year, the Advanced Chemistry/Physics class won the grand prize with their project, “Cultivating the City,” which featured interactive exhibits such as a gardening section, informational displays, an aquaponics system, a tunnel into the soil, and large insect models. This victory earned the team a $50,000 prize that supported expanded STEM opportunities throughout the district. Pleasant Ridge continued its excellence with Top 20 finalist placements in 2019–20 (“Magna‑World” – 15th place), 2021–22 (“Wacky Waves”), and 2023–24 (“Descending Discoveries”), showcasing a consistent commitment to innovation and STEM education.

During the 2017–2018 school year, Pleasant Ridge Elementary School was recognized as a National Title I Distinguished School—one of only two in Kansas and 63 nationwide to receive the honor. This recognition, part of a program established by the National Title I Association in 1996, celebrates schools for outstanding academic achievement. Pleasant Ridge Elementary was specifically honored in Category 1 for exceptional student performance sustained over two consecutive years.