Our Mission

The Mission of the New Frontier Educational Foundation is to provide enrichment and educational opportunities for the students, faculty and staff of the Frontier Schools of Kansas City, over and above the resources provided by state, federal and local budgetary resources, and to encourage lifelong learning as a principal aim of life.

This mission will be accomplished by:

• Partnering to provide scholarships for the Frontier Schools who have achieved academic excellence.
• Staff development funding; encourage teachers and staff to continually improve their professionalism and to continue and enhance their careers at Frontier Schools.
• Special educational projects (e.g. Science projects such as solar cars, robotics, science fair competitions, travel to foreign countries for students who can’t afford, special help for exceptional students who need help in advancing their academic careers).
• Assistance with enrichment activities of the new Frontier Engagement Center, including the mentoring of Frontier students, re-engagement of our alumni, leadership training, exposure to community and civic leaders for motivation and direct communication with Frontier students.
• Addressing special problems of our school population, including refugee relief and development, through special assistance for ESL and other learning enhancements.
• Address the special needs of urban at-risk youth to overcome poverty and prosper in American society, including financial support to Frontier students who encounter extraordinary need.
• Broaden students’ views of the world through exposure to other cultural opportunities, both in Kansas City and beyond, including foreign travel.
• Stimulate and encourage Frontier students to embrace a career or their choice, with a college education as a primary objective, upon graduation.
• Celebrate and encourage the diverse cultures and divergent career interests of Frontier students.
• Partner with individuals, universities and businesses, both local and national, which are willing to help Frontier students by providing opportunities such as shadowing, career support and internships.
• Grant writing to fund the activities of NFEF from local and national charities whose missions coincide with our own.

Message from the foundation president

At the commencement of the New Frontier Educational Foundation (NFEF) we re-dedicated ourselves to a challenge articulated by President John F. Kennedy when he inspired the nation in the 1960s:

“We are not here to curse the darkness, but to light the candle that can guide us through that darkness to a safe and sane future. The old era is ending. The old ways will not do. Today we stand on the edge of a New Frontier, a frontier of unknown opportunities and perils-- a frontier of unfulfilled hopes and threats. The New Frontier of which I speak is not a set of promises--it is a set of challenges. Courage--not complacency--is our need today--leadership--not salesmanship. I believe the times demand new invention, innovation, imagination, decision. I am asking each of you to be pioneers on that New Frontier. My call is to the young in heart, regardless of age.”

Today we stand at the entrance of yet another New Frontier in this century. We welcome any and all to join us in growing life-long learners and productive citizens at Frontier Schools.