Wichita USD 259 is a

public In public relations and communication science, publics are groups of individual people, and the public (a.k.a. the general public) is the totality of such groupings. This is a different concept to the sociological concept of the ''Öffentlichk ...

unified school district A unified school district (in the states of Arizona, California, Kansas and Oregon) or unit school district (in Illinois), in the United States of America, is a school district that generally includes and operates both primary schools (kindergarten ...

headquartered in

Wichita, Kansas Wichita ( ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas and the county seat of Sedgwick County. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 397,532. The Wichita metro area had a population of 647,610 in 2020. It is located in ...

, United States. The district includes most of the cities of Wichita, Bel Aire, Eastborough, and Kechi.

Overview

The largest school district in the state of

Kansas Kansas () is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its capital is Topeka, and its largest city is Wichita. Kansas is a landlocked state bordered by Nebraska to the north; Missouri to the east; Oklahoma to the south; and Colorado to th ...

, USD 259 had these approximate statistics in 2016:(NOTE: Only approximations are provided because of continual annual variations in data, and sub-annual official corrections.)''District Snapshot''
Wichita Public Schools / USD 259 official website, Wichita, Kansas, retrieved 2016-08-15 * Students: 49,851 Tobias, Suzanne Perez

''Wichita Eagle,'' retrieved April 30, 2017 * Teachers and staff: about 9,000 * Budget: about $650 million * Graduation rate: about 75% * Schools: ** 54 - Elementary schools ** 3 - "K-8" schools (combined elementary/middle schools) ** 15 - Middle schools ** 9 - High schools ** 12 - Special program sites (Of these schools, 24 are specialized-curriculum "magnet" schools.) The

National Center for Educational Statistics The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences (IES) that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance ...

(NCES) of the U.S.

Department of Education An education ministry is a national or subnational government agency politically responsible for education. Various other names are commonly used to identify such agencies, such as Ministry of Education, Department of Education, and Ministry of Pub ...

, in 2006, reported that, in the fall of 2004, the Wichita Public Schools ranked 91st largest, by total enrollment, among all school districts in the nation. It also indicated that the Wichita Public Schools, in 2003–2004, had a total revenue of $452,437,000."Table 89. Enrollment, poverty, and federal funds for the 100 largest school districts, by enrollment size: 2003–04 and fiscal year 2006,"
published 2006, in ''Digest of Education Statistics,''

(NCES) of the U.S.

, retrieved April 30, 2017.

School board

Structure and election

The Wichita Public Schools (USD 259) are governed by a non-partisan elected school board, the USD 259 Board of Education (BoE), which has seven members. Six members are nominated by voters in six geographically defined board districts throughout the overall school district. There is one nominee from each district. Those nominated then run for election district-wide. The seventh board member is nominated, and then elected, from the school district at large."2017 BOE Election Information,"
Wichita Public Schools official website, retrieved April 30, 2017"BOE Contact Information/Profiles,"
Wichita Public Schools official website, retrieved June 26, 2018 Elections are for four-year terms, and are held in odd-numbered years (winners taking office the following January). Members are elected with staggered terms. Three members are up for election in 2020; then, two years later, the remaining four members are elected.

Board membership

Following is the list of board members, as of March 2018: * At-Large: Sheril Logan * District 1: Diane Albert * District 2: Julie Hedrick * District 3: Ernestine Krehbiel * District 4: Stan Reeser * District 5: Kathy Bond * District 6: Hazel Stabler

Administration

Superintendent

The Wichita Public Schools chief executive is the Superintendent of Schools."Superintendent and Staff Leadership - Superintendent John Allison
Wichita Public Schools official website, retrieved April 30, 2017 Alicia Thompson became Superintendent in July, 2017—the District's first woman, and first African-American, to hold that post. She was previously the district's assistant superintendent for elementary schools. Thompson is one of the district's few superintendents, in recent decades, to be promoted to that post from within the district; most have come from out-of-state. However, polling of the public, during the latest superintendent-hiring process, informed the Wichita BoE that the community strongly preferred a local person, from within the Wichita Public Schools system, for the post. Thompson, who attended Wichita Public Schools at all levels, from kindergarten though high school graduation, served in the district as an elementary school teacher, principal and administration executive, prior to appointment as assistant superintendent, then superintendent.Tobias, Susanne Perez

February 21, 2017, ''Wichita Eagle,'' retrieved April 30, 2017 Thompson succeeded Superintendent John Allison (who announced his resignation, to become superintendent of the

Olathe Public Schools Olathe USD 233, also known as Olathe Public Schools, is a public unified school district headquartered in Olathe, Kansas, United States. It is one of the major school districts in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area and is one of the larger schoo ...

in Olathe); Allison served as superintendent since 2009, succeeding Winston Brooks, who resigned in 2008.Tobias, Susanne Perez
"Lynn Rogers won’t seek 5th term on Wichita school board,"
April 24, 2017, ''Wichita Eagle,'' retrieved April 30, 2017

Deputy superintendent

In January 2018, Dr. Tiffinie Irving, assistant superintendent of Learning Services, was named the deputy superintendent of the Wichita Public Schools, overseeing elementary and secondary schools, special education, ESOL, early childhood, career and technical education, and all other aspects of instruction.

Assistant superintendents

The district has separate assistant superintendents for elementary and secondary schools. Michele Ingenthron is the assistant superintendent of elementary schools, and Gil Alveraz is the assistant superintendent for secondary schools.

Schools

The school district operates the following schools:

High schools

Wichita East High School Wichita East High School, known locally as "East", is a public secondary school in Wichita, Kansas, United States. It is operated by Wichita USD 259 school district. The centrally located school's campus and the building's Collegiate Gothic styl ...

Wichita Heights High School Wichita Heights High School, known locally as Heights, is a public secondary school in Wichita, Kansas, United States. It is operated by Wichita USD 259 school district and serves students in grades 9 to 12. The school principal is Eric Filippi. ...

Wichita North High School Wichita North High School, known locally as North, is a public secondary school in Wichita, Kansas, United States. It is operated by Wichita USD 259 school district and serves students in grades 9 to 12. The school was founded in 1929 on the si ...

* Wichita Northeast Magnet High School * Wichita Northwest High School *

Wichita South High School Wichita South High School, known locally as South, is a public secondary school in Wichita, Kansas. It is operated by Wichita USD 259 school district and serves students in grades 9 to 12. It is also known as Wichita High School South. The scho ...

Wichita Southeast High School Wichita Southeast High School, known locally as Southeast, is a public secondary school in Wichita, Kansas, United States. It is operated by Wichita USD 259 school district and serves students in grades 9 to 12. Southeast is one of many high schoo ...

Wichita West High School Wichita West High School, known locally as West, is a public secondary school in Wichita, Kansas, United States. It is operated by Wichita USD 259 school district and serves students in grades 9 to 12. The high school is located southwest of downt ...

* Chester I. Lewis Academic Learning Center ** Wichita Alternative High School * Sowers Alternative

Middle schools

Regular

*Coleman Middle School *Curtis Middle School *Hadley Middle School *Hamilton Middle School *Marshall Middle School *Mead Middle School *Pleasant Valley Middle School *Robinson Middle School *Stucky Middle School *Truesdell Middle School *Wilbur Middle School

Magnet and special-purpose schools

*Allison Traditional Magnet Middle School *Brooks Center for STEM and Arts Magnet Middle School *Jardine STEM and Career Explorations Academy *Mayberry Cultural and Fine Arts Magnet Middle School *Wells Alternative

Elementary schools

Regular

*Adams Elementary School *Allen Elementary School *Anderson Elementary School *Beech Elementary School *Benton Elementary School *Caldwell Elementary School *Cessna Elementary School *Chisholm Trail Elementary School *Clark Elementary School *Cloud Elementary School *College Hill Elementary School *Colvin Elementary School *Enterprise Elementary School *Franklin Elementary School *Gammon Elementary School *Gardiner Elementary School *Griffith Elementary School *Harry Street Elementary School *Irving Elementary School *Jackson Elementary School *Jefferson Elementary School *Kensler Elementary School *Lawrence Elementary School *Linwood Elementary School *McCollom Elementary School *OK Elementrary School *Ortiz Elementrary School *Park Elementary School *Payne Elementary School *Peterson Elementary School *Pleasant Valley Elementary School *Seltzer Elementary School *Stanley Elementary School *Washington Elementary School *White Elementary School *Woodman Elementary School

Magnet and special-purpose schools

*Black Traditional Magnet Elementary School *Bostic Traditional Magnet Elementary School *Bryant Opportunity Academy *Buckner Performing Arts and Science Magnet Elementary SchoolOfficial website: "Buckner Performing Arts and Science Magnet Elementary School,"
Wichita Public Schools / USD 259, Wichita, Kansas, retrieved May 2, 2017. *Cleaveland Traditional College and Career Readiness Magnet SchoolOfficial website: "Cleaveland Traditional College and Career Readiness Magnet School,"
Wichita Public Schools / USD 259, Wichita, Kansas, retrieved May 2, 2017. *Dodge Literacy Magnet Elementary School *

Earhart Environmental Magnet Elementary School Earhart Environmental Magnet Elementary School is a public elementary school in Wichita, Kansas named after native Kansas aviator Amelia Earhart. A magnet school situated on a site, it augments the District curriculum with an environmental focus. ...

*Enders Leadership and Community Service Magnet Elementary *Greiffenstein Alternative SchoolOfficial website: "Greiffenstein Alternative School,"
Wichita Public Schools / USD 259, Wichita, Kansas, retrieved May 2, 2017. *Hyde Leadership and International Explorations MagnetOfficial website: "Hyde International Studies and Communication Elementary Magnet,"
Wichita Public Schools / USD 259, Wichita, Kansas, retrieved May 2, 2017. *Isely Traditional Magnet Elementary School *Kelly Liberal Arts AcademyOfficial website: "Kelly Liberal Arts Academy,"
Wichita Public Schools / USD 259, Wichita, Kansas, retrieved May 2, 2017. *L'Ouverture Career Exploration and Technology Magnet Elementary SchoolOfficial website: "L'Ouverture Career Exploration and Technology Magnet Elementary School,"
Wichita Public Schools / USD 259, Wichita, Kansas, retrieved May 2, 2017. *Levy Special Education Center *McLean Science and Technology MagnetOfficial website: "McLean Science and Technology Magnet,"
Wichita Public Schools / USD 259, Wichita, Kansas, retrieved May 2, 2017. *Minneha Core Knowledge Magnet Elementary School *Mueller Aerospace and Engineering Discovery Magnet Elementary School *Price-Harris Communications Magnet Elementary SchoolOfficial website: "Price-Harris Communications Magnet Elementary School,"
Wichita Public Schools / USD 259, Wichita, Kansas, retrieved May 2, 2017. *Riverside Leadership Magnet Elementary School *Spaght Science and Communications Magnet Elementary SchoolOfficial website: "Spaght Science and Communications Magnet Elementary School,"
Wichita Public Schools / USD 259, Wichita, Kansas, retrieved May 2, 2017. *Woodland Health and Wellness MagnetOfficial website: "Woodland Health and Wellness Magnet,"
Wichita Public Schools / USD 259, Wichita, Kansas, retrieved May 2, 2017.

Kindergarten through 8th grade schools

*Christa McAuliffe K-8 Academy *Gordon Parks Academy STEM Leaders in Applied and Media Arts *Horace Mann K-8 Dual Language Magnet School

Vocational/technical and continuing education schools

Beginning in 1931, and continuing until 2004, the Wichita Public Schools had vocational education programs, both in regular schools and in special vocational/technical and continuing-education schools. These programs primarily served secondary school students, but also served adults returning for further education and training. In 1931 and 1952, vocational buildings were added onto the south side of Wichita High School East, and along adjacent Grove Street, to provide training in vocational and industrial arts. Between 1952 and 1968, about 600 students enrolled each year in various vocational courses there. In the summer of 1968, the district chose this site to open its Wichita Area Vocational-Technical School (WAVTS) "Vocational Technical Center" (by 1996, officially, the "Grove Campus" of the

Wichita Area Technical College Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech and previously the Wichita Area Technical College) is a public community college in Wichita, Kansas, United States. It was known as the Wichita Area Technical College be ...

). This facility, under a separate administration, offered training in 18 different areas of trade and industry, to both students and adults.Davis, Nina (1978), updated 1996 by Sara Lomax
"School Histories,"
Excerpts from ''A History of Wichita Public Schools Buildings,'' Wichita Public Schools / USD 259, retrieved April 30, 2017. In 1953, bowing to decades of pressure from West Wichitans, the district built the first high school in West Wichita - Wichita High School West, which, at its inception was primarily a vocational-technical school (initially, only 22% of West High graduates went on to college). Consequently, the West High curriculum initially emphasized vocational preparation, rather than academics. A large homemaking department taught students family budgeting, food preparation, child care and family relations. The school's business education department taught secretarial training, stenography, retail selling and business. An industrial education department taught woodworking, metalworking, auto mechanics, electrical work, printing, mechanical drawing and other trades. However, the school eventually became a regular academic high school, which it is today. From 1965 to 2004, the Wichita Public Schools operated a system of vocational and continuing education which chiefly included:Trease, Jake (correspondent

March 01, 2015, ''Wichita Eagle,'' retrieved April 30, 2017"About WATC,"
Strategic Communications,

Wichita State University Wichita State University (WSU) is a public research university in Wichita, Kansas, United States. It is governed by the Kansas Board of Regents. The university offers more than 60 undergraduate degree programs in more than 200 areas of study in ...

, retrieved April 30, 2017. * the School of

Vocational Education Vocational education is education that prepares people to work as a technician or to take up employment in a skilled craft or trade as a tradesperson or artisan. Vocational Education can also be seen as that type of education given to an i ...

(officially the Wichita Area Vocational-Technical School - WAVTS - on Grove Street, behind Wichita High School East) * the School of Continuing Education (in the original Wichita High School building at Third and Emporia streets—by 1970, designated the "Central Vocational School," by 1984 the "Central Vocational Building" (CVB), and by 1996, the "WATC Central Campus") By 1973, the Wichita Area Vocational Technical School had become the largest public school in Wichita, with over 5,000 people enrolling in its classes each year. WAVTS had expanded its vocational training from rudimentary crafts, to include advanced industrial skills such as estimating, procurement, production line setup and production scheduling. Concurrently, traditional home economics courses were still being taught at secondary schools throughout the system, but had been expanded to provide professional food service skills. Wichita's superintendent of schools, at the time, reportedly declared that they were "offering... an educational mix" divided "equally between" normal "academic training" courses and "advanced vocational schooling"—vocational training that was "geared" towards "real concepts and needs", to prepare students for "job hunting."Winchester, James H., "Wichita, Kan.," pg.114, in "College Isn't for Everyone" pg.46, September, 1973, ''Scouting'' magazine, Vol. 61, No. 5,

Boy Scouts of America The Boy Scouts of America (BSA, colloquially the Boy Scouts) is one of the largest scouting organizations and one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with about 1.2 million youth participants. The BSA was founded ...

, retrieved April 30, 2017 An additional WAVTS campus was established at the

Wichita Municipal Airport Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport is a commercial airport west of downtown Wichita, Kansas, United States. It is the largest and busiest airport in the state of Kansas. Located south of US-54 in southwest Wichita, it covers 3,24 ...

to teach aircraft maintenance and provide training for occupations in Wichita's principal industry, aviation. However, difficulties between the aviation industry and WAVTS led to local industry leaders inviting

Cowley County Community College Cowley College is a public community college in Arkansas City, Kansas. It also operates locations in nearby Wellington, Winfield, Mulvane, and downtown Wichita. In addition to an online presence the college offers on-site courses at nine area ...

to establish a substitute facility at the former

Cessna Aircraft Field Cessna Aircraft Field is a public use airport located four nautical miles (7 km) southeast of the central business district of Wichita, in Sedgwick County, Kansas, United States. It is privately owned by the Cessna Aircraft Company. Faciliti ...

in southeast Wichita.>Voorhis, Dan
"Gustaf resigns as WATC head,"
December 12, 2009, ''Wichita Eagle,'' retrieved April 30, 2017 In 1987, the Wichita Area Vocational Technical School partnered with Butler County Community College to develop an Associate of Applied Science degree in electronic engineering technology. A technical school could not offer an associate degree, so the partnering with Butler was necessary. At the request of Wichita community business leaders in late 1990, Wichita State University and the technical school partnered to offer this degree through WSU, and the agreement and degree were approved by the Kansas Board of Regents in 1991Bischoff, William D., Dean
Official Statement: "Associate of Applied Science, Electrical Engineering Technology"
in '' Dean's Proposals for Program Discontinuance,'' Fairmount College of Arts & Sciences,

, 2003 In 1999, the name of WAVTS changed to

(WATC), and the college gained authority to grant

college credit A credit is the recognition for having taken a course at school or university, used as measure if enough hours have been made for graduation. University credits United States Credit hours In a college or university in the United States, students ...

, and was empowered to award

Associate of Applied Science An associate degree is an undergraduate degree awarded after a course of post-secondary study lasting two to three years. It is a level of qualification above a high school diploma, GED, or matriculation, and below a bachelor's degree. The f ...

(AAS) degrees. In 2004, however, following strained relations between local industry and WATC, the Wichita Public Schools (USD 259) Board of Education transitioned WATC out of USD 259, and WATC became an independent public college, governed by its own board, the Sedgwick County Technical Education and Training Authority.Tobias, Suzanne Perez
"Wichita State, WATC discussing possible expanded affiliation or merger,"
October 20, 2015, ''Wichita Eagle,'' retrieved April 30, 2017 Following the district's 2004 divestiture of WAVTS (as WATC), Cowley's aviation training facility was acquired by WATC, then replaced by WATC, in 2010, with the National Center for Aviation Training (NCAT) at Wichita's Jabara Airport. In 2001, an addition was made to the Levy Special Education Center, which included a vocational training center for the developmentally disabled.

Notable alumni

Several figures of national prominence in their field are alumni of the Wichita Public Schools, including former U.S.

Agriculture Secretary The United States secretary of agriculture is the head of the United States Department of Agriculture. The position carries similar responsibilities to those of agriculture ministers in other governments. The department includes several organi ...

and Kansas 4th District Congressman

Dan Glickman Daniel Robert Glickman (born November 24, 1944) is an American politician, lawyer, lobbyist, and nonprofit leader. He served as the United States Secretary of Agriculture from 1995 until 2001, prior to which he represented as a Democrat in Con ...

(later Director of Harvard's

Kennedy School of Government The Harvard Kennedy School (HKS), officially the John F. Kennedy School of Government, is the school of public policy and government of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school offers master's degrees in public policy, public ...

and

Motion Picture Association of America The Motion Picture Association (MPA) is an American trade association representing the five major film studios of the United States, as well as the video streaming service Netflix. Founded in 1922 as the Motion Picture Producers and Distrib ...

president),"GLICKMAN, Daniel Robert (1944-)"
Biographical Information, ''Bioguide,'' U.S. Congress official website, retrieved April 3, 2017. actress Kirstie Alley, and actor

Don Johnson Donnie Wayne Johnson (born December 15, 1949) is an American actor, producer and singer. He played the role of James "Sonny" Crockett in the 1980s television series ''Miami Vice'', for which he won a Golden Globe, and received a Primetime Emm ...

.Bing, Bonnie
"Successful Wichita natives praise their schooling here,"
Feb.26, 2012, ''Wichita Eagle,'' retrieved April 3, 2017. Various Olympic medalists began their athletic careers in the Wichita Public Schools, including basketball star

Lynette Woodard Lynette Woodard (born August 12, 1959) is a retired American basketball Hall of Fame player and former head women's basketball coach at Winthrop University. Woodard made history by becoming the first female member of the Harlem Globetrotters and ...

, track star

Jim Ryun James Ronald Ryun (born April 29, 1947) is an American former Republican politician and Olympic track and field athlete, who at his peak was widely considered the world's top middle-distance runner. He won a silver medal in the 1500 m at the ...

, swimmer

Jeff Farrell Felix Jeffrey Farrell (born February 28, 1937) is an American former competition swimmer, Olympic champion, and former world record-holder in multiple relay events. Farrell won a gold medal in the men's 100-meter freestyle at the 1959 Pan Americ ...

, and boxer

Nico Hernandez Nico Hernández (born January 4, 1996) is an American boxing, boxer, from Wichita, Kansas. He is an Olympic medalist and pro boxer, noted for unusually fast and aggressive boxing. He competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazi ...

."Lynette Woodard,"
in "Famous Basketball Players" ''Biography,'' retrieved April 30, 2017.
biography,

Kansas Sports Hall of Fame The Kansas Sports Hall of Fame is a museum located in Wichita, dedicated to preserving the history of sports in the state of Kansas. The museum provides exhibits, archives, facilities, services, and activities to honor those individuals and te ...

, inducted 1990, retrieved April 30, 2017"Ryun, Jim"
biography,

, inducted 1977, retrieved April 30, 2017"Farrell, Jeff"
biography,

, inducted 2001, retrieved April 30, 2017 Among those who publicly credit their Wichita public school education for some of their success are former

CIA The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA ), known informally as the Agency and historically as the Company, is a civilian foreign intelligence service of the federal government of the United States, officially tasked with gathering, processing, ...

director and U.S.

Defense Secretary The United States secretary of defense (SecDef) is the head of the United States Department of Defense, the executive department of the U.S. Armed Forces, and is a high ranking member of the federal cabinet. DoDD 5100.1: Enclosure 2: a The ...

(under Presidents G.W. Bush & B. Obama)

Robert Gates Robert Michael Gates (born September 25, 1943) is an American intelligence analyst and university president who served as the 22nd United States secretary of defense from 2006 to 2011. He was originally appointed by president George W. Bush a ...

, Broadway theater and

Metropolitan Opera The Metropolitan Opera (commonly known as the Met) is an American opera company based in New York City, resident at the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center, currently situated on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The company is oper ...

star

Karla Burns Karla Burns (December 24, 1954 – June 4, 2021) was an American mezzo-soprano and actress who performed nationally and internationally in opera houses, theatres, and on television. Her first major success was as Queenie in the Houston Grand Ope ...

, and Heisman Trophy winner and member of the

Pro Football Hall of Fame The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame for professional American football, located in Canton, Ohio. Opened on September 7, , the Hall of Fame enshrines exceptional figures in the sport of professional football, including players, coa ...

Barry Sanders Barry Sanders (born July 16, 1968) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL), from 1989 to 1998 for the Detroit Lions. Sanders led the league in rushing yards four times and ...

References

External links

;District * ;Historical
Excerpts from ''A History of Wichita Public School Buildings''
USD 259 ;News

The Wichita Eagle ;Maps
Wichita School District - High School Boundary Map
valid starting fall 2012, USD 259
Wichita School District - Middle School Boundary Map
valid starting fall 2012, USD 259
Wichita School District - Elementary School Boundary Map
valid starting fall 2012, USD 259
Wichita School District - Boundary Map and Directory of Buildings
USD 259
USD 259 School District Boundary Map
KDOT {{Authority control School districts in Kansas Education in Wichita, Kansas Education in Sedgwick County, Kansas

Overview

School board

Structure and election

Board membership

Administration

Superintendent

Deputy superintendent

Assistant superintendents

Schools

High schools

Middle schools

Regular

Magnet and special-purpose schools

Elementary schools

Regular

Magnet and special-purpose schools

Kindergarten through 8th grade schools

Vocational/technical and continuing education schools

Notable alumni

See also

References

Further reading

External links