Unified School District 508 • Cherokee County, Kansas
866 students. Four schools. One community. Friday-night Lions pride on historic Route 66.
Photo: "Downtown Baxter Springs" — CC BY 3.0
Longtime Baxter Springs baseball coach Don Karnes has been nominated for induction into the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame, recognizing a career dedicated to developing student-athletes in Cherokee County.
Join the community for a patriotic music celebration at Baxter Springs High School on July 3, 2026. This special event marks our nation’s 250th anniversary with performances and community spirit.
A time capsule sealed 50 years ago at Baxter Springs High School is set to be opened in 2026. The community is invited to celebrate the reveal and glimpse a moment in the school’s history.
The Board of Education approved a 1:1 MacBook program for 11th and 12th grade students beginning fall 2026, equipping upperclassmen with personal learning devices to prepare them for college and careers.
Four distinct learning environments, one shared pride in being a Lion.
361 students
Home of the Lions. Varsity athletics, comprehensive academics, and the USD 508 eAcademy virtual program.
223 students
Building strong academic foundations through engaging, student-centered learning in grades 3–6.
245 students
Nurturing early learners from pre-kindergarten through 2nd grade with play-based and literacy-rich instruction.
36 students
Flexible online learning for grades 7–12 with the same rigorous USD 508 curriculum. Ideal for students needing a non-traditional schedule.
Unified School District 508 serves Baxter Springs and the surrounding Cherokee County community, providing education from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade across four schools. Superintendent David Pendergraft leads the district.
District Office: (620) 856-2375 • 1108 Military Ave, Baxter Springs, KS 66713
Baxter Springs Lions compete with heart, discipline, and pride in Cherokee County and across southeast Kansas.
Home of Coach Don Karnes — Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame nominee 2025
Lions football program representing Baxter Springs and Cherokee County
Boys & Girls varsity and junior varsity programs
Multi-sport athletes developing speed and endurance year-round
Lady Lions compete at varsity and junior varsity levels
Individual and team competition representing USD 508 with distinction
View daily lunch menus for all USD 508 schools, including nutritional information and free/reduced meal applications.
View MenusLog in to PowerSchool to view grades, attendance, schedules, and communicate with your child’s teachers.
PowerSchool LoginKey dates including the first/last day of school, breaks, early dismissals, board meetings, and athletic schedules.
View Calendar →Bus route maps and pickup/drop-off times for all USD 508 schools. Contact the district office to set up or change transportation.
Bus Routes →New to the district or need to re-enroll? Online registration is open for the 2026–27 school year for all four USD 508 schools.
Enroll Online →Board-approved 1:1 MacBook program for juniors and seniors launching fall 2026. Learn about device policies, care expectations, and the learning benefits.
Tech Program Info →The USD 508 Board of Education sets district policy, approves the budget, and ensures every student in Baxter Springs receives a quality education. Meetings are open to the public.
Board meetings are open to the community. View meeting schedule & agendas →
Baxter Springs isn’t just a place — it’s a story. The first cattle "cow town" in Kansas (∼1868), a stop on historic Route 66, and the hometown of achievers who’ve left their mark on the world.
Baxter Springs is one of the first towns travelers hit when entering Kansas on the Mother Road. The restored Phillips 66 Visitor Center — now a museum and welcome stop — stands as a landmark of American road culture and the town’s Route 66 heritage.
Photo: "Baxter Springs Route 66 Phillips 66 Visitor Center" by Vanessa Ezekowitz — CC BY-SA 3.0
Around 1868, Baxter Springs became the first significant cattle shipping point in Kansas — the original "cow town" — predating Abilene and Dodge City as a destination for Texas cattle drives heading north.