APS Civics
Education Initiative

CEI at a Glance 

APS’s Civics Education Initiative is a year-long project-based learning civics program for Kansas City high school students. The program kicks off with our “Can you Agree to Disagree Better?” presentation, which explores topics like political polarization, civil dialogue, and civic thriving. Throughout the year, CEI students work together to plan a signature APS panel discussion using a deliberative model featuring diverse perspectives on a highly polarizing topic. Students choose the topic, research and suggest panelists, and help execute the event for audiences in person and online. During their event, students take on active roles implementing APS’ Civility Toolkit. Alumni report increased confidence in constructive communication, research, personal expression, and open mindedness to divergent points of view.  

Program Focuses 

Civics Education, Civil Dialogue, Media Literacy, Community Engagement, Democratic Renewal  

Curriculum 

During workdays, students build civic skills by engaging in a mix of student-led discussions, guest lectures, and exercises that nourish their civic capacities. Each day’s learning is designed to be active, engaging, and experiential, ensuring our students have agency in their learning process. As students examine the complexities of their chosen topic together, they strengthen their civic muscles and the public square. 

Special memberships are available to students and educators for $25.

Show your support of civics education with a $25 donation that will be used to provide a membership to a local student or educator.

At the High School level, we offer a custom-created learning series called “Reimagine the Square,” taught in the Fall at participating schools across the Kansas City community. What students learn in the Fall semester is then applied to a project-based learning (PBL) experience in the Spring semester, which gives all participating students the opportunity to work together to build their own APS style program.

Our 2025-2026 Civics Education Initiative participating high schools include:

Belton High School, Guadalupe Centers High School, The Kauffman School, Liberty High School, Olathe North High School, Liberty North High Schools,Shawnee Mission North High School, St. Teresa’s Academy, and University Academy Upper School.