Our mission: We build futures by preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s opportunities. About the District & Community Emporia USD 253 encompasses the city of Emporia, Kansas, with a population of approximately 25,000 residents, and surrounding rural areas. Current K-12 enrollment is approximately 4,200 students, and enrollment reaches 4,700 when preschool and adult programs are included. The district has six elementary schools, which includes one K-8 and five K-5 schools, one middle school, one high school, a preschool center and a high school completion program. The community is home of Emporia State University and Flint Hills Technical College, two growing post-secondary institutions. The district has numerous partnerships with both institutions that provide more opportunities for Emporia's teachers and students. Emporia is a highly diverse community with a high percentage of families whose first language is Spanish. Educational programs exist to support adults with language and job skills, and the schools have programs that serve Migrant and bilingual students. District administrators and the board of education work cooperatively with city government and the business community to support initiatives that help make Emporia a good place to live, work and raise a family.