Unified School District #377 is located in Northeast Kansas, with the district office being in Effingham.  Elementary schools are located in Effingham (Pre-K-4, one hundred thirty-three  (133) students), Cummings (K-4, seventy (70) students), Lancaster (K-4, seventy-nine (79) students).  A grade 5 through 8 middle school is located in Effingham and has an enrollment of 234 students.  Atchison County Community High School (ACCHS) is located in Effingham and is classified as a 3A school by the Kansas State High School Activities Association.  The enrollment at the high school is 230 students.

Unified School District #377 serves all of Atchison County, excluding the Atchison City School District, and covers an area of 350 square miles. The 2000 total population of the district was approximately 4,500. The district's main sources of income are industry and agriculture. Enrollment for the entire district in the 2004-05 school year is 759. The middle school and high school are members of the Kansas State Activities Association and the high school is classified as 3A for competitive activities.

    USD 377 continues to be one of the school leaders in the state. All three levels, elementary, middle school, and high school were pilot schools for developing Quality Performance Accreditation. Students at all levels tend to score above the state average scores on the state assessments and students graduating from ACCHS have done well academically in college.

   The district started its School Improvement process in the early 90's and has designated Reading and Problem Solving as two of its targeted areas district wide. To help improve an already strong reading program the district has implemented the Accelerated Reading Program at all levels along with the STAR Testing Program to verify our students' reading ability. We strongly believe that reading is the single most basic skill that will improve student achievement and are dedicated to providing our students with the best educational opportunities available.

   The area is served by churches in each community and recreational and medical services are provided within close distance. The City of Effingham has a public library, tennis court, ball field, park and swimming pool. The nearness of Benedictine College, K-State, KU and Washburn University offer many opportunities for continuing education.

   In addition, our short distance from St. Joseph, Kansas City and Topeka make many of the services, cultural opportunities and shopping centers within an hour's drive.