Welcome to Dogwood Elementary
Welcome to Dogwood Elementary
About Dogwood Elementary
Dogwood Elementary is where curiosity takes root and every student is taught how to work, learn and succeed! Serving roughly 400 K-5 Bulldogs in the heart of Kearney, our faculty pairs world-class opportunities with the small-school warmth families cherish. Over the past five years, Dogwood has demonstrated steady academic momentum, topping the state average in key subjects, earning perfect scores for continuous improvement from Missouri DESE, and holding a student-teacher ratio that lets every child feel seen and supported.
Our Story
Dogwood opened its doors to Kearney families with one promise: every child deserves deep roots and wide-open branches. Today that promise thrives in classrooms buzzing with inquiry-based lessons, book clubs, and service projects that connect academics to real-world purpose.
Academic Excellence
State accountability confirms the progress you feel when walking our halls. Dogwood earned 71.3% of available performance points in 2023, an 11-point jump from 2022. Even with post-pandemic challenges, our 5th-grade math proficiency hit 51%, eclipsing Missouri’s 38% benchmark, while 4th-grade readers reached 61% proficiency against a 46% state rate.
Whole-Child Focus
Our counselor leads bi-weekly social-emotional and career-readiness lessons, and every grade schedules “Brain Break” outdoor blocks. Combined with a 14:1 student-teacher ratio, these supports keep attendance high and chronic absenteeism trending down.
Partnership & Pride
At Dogwood Elementary, our families and community play an important role in making our school a great place to learn and grow. Our PTO supports students and staff through special events, classroom resources, and opportunities that bring our school community together. From family events and classroom celebrations to service projects that give back to the Kearney community, our Bulldogs learn the importance of helping others and making a difference. We are grateful for the many parents, volunteers, and community partners who generously give their time, talents, and resources to support our school. Their involvement helps make Dogwood a special place for our students and staff.
Welcome from the Principal
Welcome!
At Dogwood Elementary, we believe school should be a place where every child feels welcomed, supported, and encouraged to grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
Our dedicated team of teachers and staff works hard to create a safe, positive learning environment where students are challenged, celebrated, and excited to learn. We focus on strong instruction, positive behavior support, and building meaningful relationships with our students and families.
Our theme for the 2026-27 school year is “Little Bulldogs, Big Adventures!” We believe every school day is an opportunity for students to learn something new, take on challenges, discover their strengths, and grow. Along the way, our building-wide BARK expectations help guide us in all we do:
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B – Be Your Best
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A – Act Responsibly
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R – Respect Yourself and Others
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K – Keep Safe
Whether your family is new to Dogwood or you've been part of our Bulldog family for years, we want you to know that you belong here! We value the partnership between home and school and know that working together makes a difference for our students.
We are proud of our school, our staff, and most importantly, our students. We look forward to another great year of learning, growing, and making memories together.
Little Bulldogs, Big Adventures! Every great adventure deserves a great story, and we can't wait to see what our Bulldogs accomplish this year!
Respectfully,
Kathleen Bahan, Principal