The All Star High School program, launched in 2022, extends the Apply Kansas mission to enhance college access by guiding students through the application process. Students in these schools receive support in completing admissions applications, seeking financial aid, and celebrating all postsecondary paths. This ongoing series of events, sustained year after year, cultivates a college-going atmosphere throughout the entire school community.
2026 Kansas All Star High Schools
2025 All Star High school recognition
How to Become an all star high school
1. Host an Apply Kansas Event
Register as an Apply Kansas School
Host your Application Event
2. Submit your Apply Kansas Summary Data (due annually December 1st)
3. Sponsor or collaborate on a FAFSA Completion Event (typically between Oct-Feb)
Plan an event where students & parents can start on the FAFSA application together
Event should provide support to answer specific, confidential questions for families. Financial Aid officers and Admissions representatives from local institutions are often good resources and willing to come help.
FAFSA events can be held at the high school, but can also be held at higher education institutions or other community locations if you are joining together with other high schools.
Be aware of shift work, first generation, undocumented students and other underserved populations. Try to create an event at times and in locations that meets the needs of your underserved community members.
If you host a FAFSA event in the fall, consider doing something again in Jan-Feb. Many students who would benefit most from the FAFSA aren't always ready to apply in the fall. Follow up encouragement and support in the new year might be just what some students need to finalize those postsecondary plans
4. Host a Senior Signing Day Event (around May 1)
This event should celebrate the decisions and different pathways for your seniors.
It can be as big or small as you want to make it. (Some schools make it actual signing event for all seniors and invite different colleges, and some incorporate announcing the plans of all seniors into their Honors and Awards ceremony. Creating a bulletin board, banner, poster activity, t-shirt day are all some of the many great ways you can celebrate your seniors' plans) See the link in the resources below.
Whatever you plan, consider how it will look for students planning to go to work or other placements. If you are announcing college placements, how will you announce the job placements? If you do a t-shirt day, will all students be able to participate? You might have to get creative with some of the non-traditional pathways.
Consider if you can share these pathways with your underclassmen. Can you hang the banner or bulletin board for the school community to see? Are underclassmen invited to your award ceremony. By celebrating every senior, you give all of your students an opportunity to consider a post-secondary path outside of what they already know.
5. Complete the All Star High School Survey (April 1st) from Mistie Knox to describe your three events
RESOURCES
College Signing Day National Resource Website
Google Doc with College Signing Day Photos & Ideas (add your ideas to share here!)
BANNER
Each All Star High School will receive a certificate and vinyl banner to display at school (photo 1). Each year after that, award winning schools will receive a certificate and star sticker to add to their banner, indicating multiple award winning years (photo 2).
Year #1: Banner
Year #2-5: Sticker
CONTACT
For more information:
Mistie Knox, Associate Director, Academic Affairs
Apply Kansas State Coordinator