Honoring Grandview C-4 School District

Floor Speech

Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to the extraordinary accomplishments of the Grandview C-4 School District located in Missouri's Fifth Congressional District. The contributions this institution has made to the community are beyond measure. And more importantly, to celebrate the positive differences made by the talented, dedicated, and hard-working people who are now, and have been in years past, a part of this school system.

In an April 9, 1914, election, Grandview, High Grove, Maple Ridge, and Mastin school districts were consolidated into the Grandview School District. In the early 1950s, two more school districts, including Martin City, became part of Consolidated School District No. 4 or Grandview C14 School District.

Through the years, district enrollment has grown from 523 students in 1948, to its current enrollment of more than 4,200 students. In 2013-2014, the district had the highest percentage increase in enrollment of any school on the Missouri side of the Kansas City area. The district has one high school, one middle school, one K-8 school, four elementary schools, an early childhood center and an alternative school.

I. 2013, the Grandview C-4 School District was recognized as one of the top performing districts in the state, according to final Annual Performance Report (APR) data released by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Grandview C-4 School District earned ``Accredited with Distinction'' status based on the current fifth cycle Missouri School Improvement Program (MSIP 5) scoring guide, with a district-wide score of 93.6 percent.

On April 9th the district will recognize its 100th anniversary. Historic photos spanning the district's 100 year history will be displayed at several public places throughout the Grandview and South Kansas City area. More celebrations are planned throughout the year--all of them richly deserved.

For 100 years, the Grandview C-4 School District has been the fabric of the community. Considering the challenges many of our families face, many parents take pride in the education their children get from the C-4. Many of these same parents, who now send their children to C-4, were themselves students at C-4 in the past, as their parents were as well. They demonstrate this pride not just year after year, but generation after generation.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring the Grandview C-4 School District today. Grandview is a top-tier school district, comparable to the most elite of districts. We have a glorious past and look forward to an exciting future.

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