Unified School District 490, El Dorado Public Schools, serves students and families throughout 128 square miles in the city of El Dorado and the surrounding rural area of Butler County with a comprehensive educational program including vocal music, band, orchestra, fine arts, physical education, art, foreign language, and technology. The district has been recognized nationally for excellence in technology and takes pride in providing tools that support acquisition of 21st century skills.

Students attend one of three elementary schools, a middle school serving grades 6-8, and El Dorado High School a 4A school serving students in grades 9-12. Pre-K students are served through a State Four-Year Old Preschool grant. An early childhood program serves preschool students with special needs through a partnership with the Butler County Special Education Interlocal. The district provides full day kindergarten. The high school provides alternative programs and a virtual school for students who experience success in non-traditional settings or for those who need to recover credits in order to stay on track for graduation. In addition, the district is a member of the Butler County Special Education Cooperative, serving students in all nine Butler County school districts. A free district shuttle bus system ensures the safety of students required to cross two highways intersecting the city.

The Board of Education has adopted Student Achievement as the key goal of the district as part of a comprehensive strategic plan with support goals in Communication, School Climate, and 21st Century Infrastructure.

Community support enhances the district services through a number of initiatives many of which are unique to El Dorado:
• Adopt-a-Class Mentoring Program, matching local businesses with graduating classes
• Dolly Parton Imagination Library, providing a free book each month to preschoolers
• I Can Read, one-on-one reading volunteers for second grade students
• Kiwanis Health Grants, to provide for health needs in elementary schools
• Rotary ACT, Dictionary and Social Skills projects
• Partners In Education, a foundation supporting special projects and scholarships

Key Staff
Superintendent: Sue Givens
Executive Director of Fiscal and Support Services: Kellen Adams
Executive Director of Curriculum: Julie Jensen
Executive Director of Technology: Doug Jensen
Other Key Contacts: Melissa Smith, Board Clerk; Kimberly Koop, Director of Information Services; Lynda Sharp, Director of Human Resources, Brett Remsberg, Director of Budget