Hickman Mills C-1 School District made history in 1902, when the Hickman Mills area schools became the first consolidated school district in Missouri. Over the past 100 years, the district has grown from less than 100 students to an enrollment of 5,600 students. 

The Hickman Mills area is a diverse, first ring suburban community located approximately 10 miles southeast of downtown Kansas City and includes 56 square miles. The area is within the 5th and 6th council districts developed in the decades following World War II (1950-1970). During that time, Interstates 435 and 470 were built and postwar housing developed at a rapid pace.

Each of the district's schools strive for academic excellence. The schools include: an early education center (PK-K), seven elementary schools (K - 6), one middle school (6 - 8), and one senior high school (9 - 12). The district also offers a gifted program, an alternative school, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) curriculum to all schools. The Hickman Mills C-1 School District is proud to be one of the few districts in the country making STEAM and Project Based Learning a priority in the classroom and offering such teaching to all students regardless of their grade or academic standing.

The patrons of the community have always strongly supported their schools. Working together with people of diverse backgrounds through various groups and organizations, the school district has been responsive to community needs, even working together to craft a five year strategic plan for the district.

The Hickman Mills C-1 School District is recognized as a provisionally accredited district by the Missouri Department of Education. The district strives to stay on the cutting edge of all areas of instruction.

Ethnic diversity in the schools reflects that of the community. Currently, the enrollment in Hickman Mills schools is: 69% African American, 13% Hispanic, 9% White, and 3% other.