Homeschool benefits and savings in the Johnson County Park and Recreation District

The Johnson County Park and Recreation District (JCPRD) scholarship gives each qualifying person up to $200 a calendar year toward any JCPRD class, event, or rental. Anyone who lives or works in Johnson County and meets the free or reduced-price lunch income guideline can apply, including homeschool families. Other options include library educator cards and resources.

By Andrew Garber, founder of TheHomeschoolingCompany. Reviewed August 25, 2026.

Johnson County Park and Recreation District scholarship

Who qualifies

1. Lives or works in Johnson County

   Include proof of residency, such as a utility bill, with either application.

2. Meets the income guideline

   Families who get free or reduced-price school lunch qualify with their award letter. Everyone else uses the traditional application, which checks income against Kansas Department of Education reduced-price status.

3. Listed on your tax return

   Each family member you want covered must appear on your income tax forms, unless they were born this year.

4. Foster children qualify automatically

   A foster child living in Johnson County gets $200 for the year without income verification. Write "foster child" and the child's name on the lunch letter application.

What it is worth

JCPRD awards up to $200 per qualifying individual each calendar year while funds remain.

One qualifying person

Up to $200

Four qualifying family members

Up to $800

Foster child in Johnson County

$200

Balance left on December 31

Lost

Moving funds to a sibling

Not allowed

You cannot use scholarship funds through online pre-registration, because the website requires payment up front.

From applying to keeping it

1. Before you apply

   Gather documents

   For the traditional application, collect the first two pages of last year's federal tax return, W-2s, the two latest pay stubs for each working adult, and a utility bill.

2. Any time in the year

   Submit an application

   Upload the lunch letter or traditional application online, or bring paper copies to 7900 Renner Road, Shawnee Mission, KS 66219. Missing documents delay the decision.

3. After approval

   Register by phone or in person

   Call 913-831-3359 or walk in, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and say you are using your scholarship.

4. By December 31

   Use the balance

   Each class or event must start within the scholarship year, January 1 to December 31.

5. Each January

   Apply again

   A new application and new documents are required every scholarship year.

What it pays for

Covered

• JCPRD classes
• JCPRD events
• JCPRD rentals

Not covered

• Online pre-registrations
• Programs that start after December 31
• Transfers to another person
• Balances carried into the next year

Awards are made only while scholarship funds remain available for the year.

Who to contact

JCPRD Registration answers scholarship and program questions and takes registrations that use scholarship funds.

913-831-3359 Scholarship interest form

Johnson County Library homeschool educator card

Who qualifies

1. Teaches in Johnson County

   Individual teachers, childcare providers, and home school educators teaching in Johnson County can apply. The card is issued to an individual, not to a school or agency.

2. Uses it for teaching

   The card is for educational purposes only, to borrow materials that support your curriculum.

3. Shows ID and address

   Complete an application, show a physical photo ID, and verify your address.

What the card gives you

The terms come from Johnson County Library's card page and its borrowing and fees page.

Educator Card checkout, physical items

5 weeks

Educator Card checkout, eLibrary items

3 weeks

Educator Card renewals

Up to 5

Regular card checkout for books

3 weeks

Items out per account

150

Card cost

Free

There are no overdue fines, but items more than 30 days overdue are billed as lost, and a balance of $50 or more for over 30 days adds a $10 materials recovery fee.

How to get the card

1. Before you go

   Print the application

   Download the Educator Card application and bring a physical photo ID and proof of your address.

2. At the branch

   Apply at the Questions desk

   Turn in the application at your local branch so staff can verify your information.

3. Each checkout

   Borrow for five weeks

   Physical items are due in five weeks and can be renewed up to five times if no one is waiting.

4. After 1 year

   Renew the card

   Educator accounts expire after one year. Contact library staff to renew.

What it includes

Included

• Longer checkouts for physical materials
• Three-week eLibrary checkouts
• Up to five renewals per item

Not included

• Personal, non-teaching use
• Cards for schools or agencies
• Fees for lost or damaged items

Who to contact about the card

Library staff answer questions about Educator Cards, renewals, and accounts.

913-826-4600 Get a library card

Homeschool rules and statewide help in Kansas

You must register the school name, address, and records custodian with KSDE once, not annually. You must notify the previous school when transferring a student.

Kansas sets these rules:

• Subjects: Parents choose the curriculum. Instruction must be competent and substantially equivalent in time to the local public school term.
• Testing: Kansas does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers.
• Records: KSDE recommends complete progress records for transfers and college admission; it does not prescribe a homeschool portfolio or attendance-record format.
• Teachers: Courses must be taught by competent instructors; a state teaching license is not required.

Read the Kansas homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Kansas

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