History

Orion Education and Training was founded in 1989 as the South Central Kansas Education Service Center, originally located in Wellington, Kansas. The organization's first office was housed in a residential home, reflecting its humble beginnings and strong commitment to serving local schools.

In the early 1990s, the organization relocated to Clearwater following the generous support of a local business that provided a zero-interest loan to construct the facility that remains Orion's headquarters today. Over the years, the building has expanded and evolved to accommodate the organization's growth and the increasing needs of the schools and communities it serves.

A significant milestone occurred in September 2017, when the organization adopted Orion Education and Training as its public-facing name. While the organization’s legal name remains South Central Kansas Education Service Center, it now operates doing business as (dba) Orion Education and training. The Orion brand reflects the organization's expanded scope of services beyond traditional educational support, including partnerships with businesses, nonprofits, and governmental organizations, while continuing its longstanding commitment to serving Kansas schools and educational communities.

Today, Orion Education and Training employs approximately 65 professionals dedicated to supporting education and workforce development across the region. Fifteen of those employees are based at the Clearwater headquarters, which continues to serve as the organization's central hub for collaboration, training, and innovation.