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Alfred Fairfax Academy

January 28, 2026

Drone Program Takes Flight at Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools

an aerial drone view shows a brick school facility with flat gravel roofs, parking lots filled with cars, a paved play area, and an outdoor playground bordered by dense green trees.

an aerial drone view shows a brick school facility with flat gravel roofs, parking lots filled with cars, a paved play area, and an outdoor playground bordered by dense green trees.

Jan 28 2026 9:06 AM
Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, a new drone program at Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools is officially taking flight.

Students in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program at each high school were provided with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), also known as drones.

An aerial view of a playground nestled near a lush tree line on a bright sunny day.

The goal was to introduce students to drone technology and expose them to the wide range of applications across today’s industries, including engineering, photography, public safety, and more.

Students were trained to operate the drones with the assistance from their teachers and the Technology Department at KCKPS.

Zach French, Business Teacher at Alfred Fairfax Academy, believes the drone program is essential for preparing students for today’s evolving career landscape.

An overhead view shows people standing inside white-chalked circles on a grey pavement, casting long shadows.

“As the industry changes, it is important that education changes with it. We can equip our students with relevant knowledge before they leave the classroom behind,” he said.   

The work-based learning team at KCKPS designed a client-connected project that challenged each school to create a video showcasing the Diploma+ Program, using the drone equipment.

After they completed the assignment, French was pleased with their work and confident that his students came away with genuine real-world experience.

An aerial view of Wyandotte High School, featuring its large red brick building and an adjacent athletic field.

“Utilizing the drone to create a marketing video allowed my students the opportunity to build job experience,” he shared. “My class arranged meetings with the client, experts, and school administrators. They gathered the facts, conducted the research, recorded the video, and fine-tuned the final product for the client.”

French believes the aerial equipment can definitely elevate a classroom if given the opportunity.

“I see the drone as an opportunity for my program to grow, a chance for my students to gain knowledge and experience, something that was not available when I was in school.

An exterior view of Schlagle High School showing its modern brick and panel architecture.

 A larger goal of the school district is to expand drone usage and training in multiple pathways in CTE.

Below are the first two completed video projects.

Please enjoy the creativity, hard work and school pride on display in these projects.