Gardner, Kansas is located in southern Johnson County and is home to 19,123 people. The city was founded where the California, Santa Fe and Oregon Trails divided. Its students are served by the fast growing Gardner-Edgerton School District where a new elementary school and middle school will be opening for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 school years.
As a lifelong resident of Kansas City, I watched Olathe grow from a small town just south of the city, into a connected suburb on the southwest part of Kansas City. Right now Gardner is that same city from years ago. Located just a few miles down I-35 from Olathe, Gardner currently has a population of about 20K. The schools are growing and provide high quality services to the residents and there are many fun things to do like visit the Gardner Aquatic Center or nearby Gardner Lake.