James A. Allison was active in community affairs from the time of his arrival in Wichita in 1886 until his death in 1916. His home was located on the corner of Martinson and University near the site of the school which was named in his honor. Mr. Allison was an educator and a civic and religious leader. He was instrumental in the founding of Friends University through the sale of the former Garfield University to James A. Davis who gave the property to the Society of Friends. Mr. Allison served on the Board of Education from 1891 to 1893 and was a member of the Board of Trustees of Southwestern University from 1894 to 1913.

The new building was named after James E. Anderson, a prominent Wichita black educator who had served several years as an administrator for the district. Shortly after his retirement, he was killed in an automobile accident in 1978.

After considering all recommendations, the Board of Education decided the newest elementary school should bear the name of the local pioneer in the field of aviation, Walter H. Beech. Mr. Beech stands in the front ranks of air pioneers. He not only foresaw the role of the airplane far into the future, but translated that foresight into reality, producing a line of outstanding aircraft and establishing the aircraft company which later became Raytheon, and then Hawker Beechcraft, and continues to be one of Wichita's major industries.

The name was selected in honor of Miss Mary Benton who was the first teacher at Peterson in 1875. She began teaching December 13, 1875 and taught for three months at a salary of $75.

Mrs. Jessie Hunter Black was credited with being the first public school teacher in Wichita, having taught several years as Miss Jessie Hunter.  According to Sondra Van Meter’s “A History of the Wichita Public Schools,” Miss Hunter first taught the summer session in 1871, and the Wichita public school opened on December12, 1870 and its teacher was W. H. Zellers.

The building was named for L.W. Brooks, who was a principal of three high schools in Wichita. He was the first director of secondary education and also was an acting superintendent of schools. In 1944, he was elected the State Superintendent of Public Instruction

The Leicle Bostic Traditional Elementary Magnet School was housed in the former Kistler Elementary School which was originally a part of Common School District No. 184, Kechi. The district came into the Wichita Public School System by attachment in July of 1963. On June 20, 1994, the building was renamed Leicle Bostic Traditional Magnet Elementary School after a former USD 259 principal.

Bryant School was named for John B. Bryant, a well-known Wichita lawyer who served many years as a member of the Wichita Board of Education.

Buckner was named to honor Mary Wadsworth Buckner who came to Wichita in 1884 as the bride of Judge William T. Buckner. She fought against child abuse and for the rights of women. She helped found the Hypatia Club and later was chosen president of the Wichita Federation of Women's Clubs. She found time to collect funds to help build St. John's Episcopal Church and became the first woman candidate for the Board of Education. She served on the Board until 1916 when her daughter, Sue Buckner, who graduated from Fairmount in 1913, applied to teach in the Wichita Public Schools.

Caldwell School was named in honor of Mr. Charles Stuart Caldwell, a member of the Wichita Board of Education from 1874 to 1877 and secretary of the Board from 1896-1910.

Enterprise South was renamed Clyde V. Cessna in 1964 in honor of the man who pioneered the manufacture of aircraft in Wichita.

The school was named after prominent black Wichita citizen Chester I. Lewis, attorney and civil rights activist.

The school was named for Miss Jessie L. Clark, a pioneer in the Wichita Public School system. From 1887 to 1891, Miss Clark was the only traveling music teacher in the city, and in 1891, she became the first music supervisor for the school system. She held the position until her retirement in 1923.

The school was named in honor of Cynthia W. Cleaveland, who came to Wichita in 1886 at the age of 33, and was a teacher in the Wichita system for more than 40 years. In 1941, Miss Cleaveland was president of the Wichita City Teachers Association which she helped organize. She also had a part in organizing the Wichita Music Club.

Cloud Elementary was named in honor of the great Indian educator, Henry Roe Cloud. A full-blooded Winnebago Indian, Dr. Cloud was born in a wigwam in the area that is now Nebraska. In 1915, he founded the American Indian Institute at 4000 East 21st Street in Wichita. He was graduated with honors from Yale University with three degrees including the degree of Doctor of Divinity. In 1931, he was assigned by the Department of Interior to the position of Field Representative of Indian Affairs over the entire United States. No personality more dramatically represents the true purpose of the American Educational system than Dr. Cloud.