By Matt Hoover
USD 75 Communications Coordinator
JUNCTION CITY, Kan. - Geary County Schools USD 475 had a district record 3,020 students from throughout the district earn the Thrive Award for their work during the first semester of the 2025-26 school year.“I am incredibly proud of all our students who were able to receive this honor for their hard work in the classroom this fall. It is truly a testament to how hard our teachers and staff have been working this school year,” said Dr. Reginald Eggleston, USD 475 Superintendent of Schools.
Overall, USD 475 had 2,051 students receive the Thrive Award at its elementary schools, while 969 students were honored at the secondary level.To receive this honor, students, who were recognized at their respective schools with a special certificate throughout the last couple of months, had to meet requirements in attendance and discipline referrals. Grades will be factored into the award following the second semester of this school year
The district also had 139 fourth and fifth grade students inducted into its National Elementary Honor Society chapter this school year. In all, USD 475 has a total of 298 new NHS students throughout the district, including 159 new members in its secondary buildings. By adding the elementary chapter in 2024-25, the district now has a National Honor Society at elementary, middle and high school
Finally, it was recently announced by the Kansas State Department of Education that Junction City High School has a 91.7 percent graduation rate, which is higher than the state average of 90.5 percent.