Zenda Schools

Zenda students attend school in either the Kingman Unified School District 331 or Cunningham Unified School District 332.

Kingman-Norwich USD 331

Kingman-Norwich serves students from Kingman, Norwich, and the surrounding area. Total enrollment for USD 331 is 992. Students can participate in Battle of the Books, Scholar’s Bowl, FBLA, FFA and many more activities. 

Cunningham USD 332

The Cunningham Unified School District 332 has an enrollment of 193 students. Students can participate in many activities including Scholar’s Bowl, basketball and cross country.

Zenda Lifestyle

Zenda is home to 90 (2013) residents. The Zenda Lumber Yard Steakhouse is very popular in the surrounding area. Zenda enjoys a quiet community atmosphere and close proximity to Kingman and Pratt.

Zenda Transportation

Highway KS-42 runs through the south side of Zenda. Pratt is only 40 minutes away and Kingman is under 30 minutes from Zenda.

Zenda Local Attractions/Activities

Zenda is home to several historical attractions including the Zenda Jail and Model Building Display. St. John Rectory is within the Zenda city limits. Pratt and Kingman offer many attractions including Lemon Park and the Kingman Historic Theatre. 

Zenda –History

Originally known as Rochester, Kansas, the community was named after Rochester, Minnesota.  It was settled in the mid-1880s but relocated in 1887 to its present position when the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (AT&SF) railway came through. With the new location, the town was renamed New Rochester.  As the United States became more connected through train, telegraph and mail service, the name Rochester in any form caused great confusion – 28 other communities across the country were using that name.  The wife of a Santa Fe conductor had read the novel The Prisoner of Zenda and thought Zenda was a pretty name.  The Post Office officially changed the name from New Rochester to Zenda on October 7, 1892. Zenda is on the old AT&SF branch line that ran to Englewood.

(Source- Kingman County-www.kingmanks.com)