Discover WPS
All students are welcome in Wichita Public Schools, and we offer schools, programs and services for children and young adults from birth through grade 12. For students with special needs, support continues through age 21. Use the tiles below to explore the opportunities available for your family to make the best school choice for your students.
Whether you are choosing a school for your kindergarten student or you soon-to-be high schooler, you have opportunities to the school that best meets your child's needs and interests. This could be one of our neighborhood schools, a magnet school, an innovative program, or an advanced learning option. To learn how to select a school of choice for your student, start with the options below based on whether your home address is in-district or out-of-district. If you're not sure which to choose, use the School Finder tool to find out.
Magnet schools each have a theme through which all curriculum is taught. The major themes include Leadership, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), Fine Arts, Traditional, and Communications. Some schools combine two complimentary themes such as STEM and the Arts.
All students interested in magnet schools must apply through the magnet lottery process, which opens the first Monday of October and closes in January (for middle and high schools) and February (for elementary schools).
Starting at birth, WPS has services that support families so students are ready for kindergarten and beyond. Explore our award-winning Parents as Teachers program, Screen for Success, and Pre-Kindergarten.
Kindergarten is an exciting time for your child. For your child to enroll in Kindergarten in the Wichita Public Schools, they will need to be 5 years old by August 31 of the year they'll start. We offer a free, full-day program at all of our elementary schools.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) provides 25 pathways for students to explore in 7 career areas. Our state-of-the-art FutureReady Centers in healthcare and manufacturing offer additional hands-on learning. Additional FutureReady Centers in development include Technology and Construction Trades.
All WPS high schools offer curriculum that prepares students for continuing education at 2-year or 4-year colleges and universities, as well as technical schools. Advanced opportunities include International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, and dual and/or concurrent (college) credit classes. Students being completing Individual Plans of Study (IPS) in 7th grade to prepare for all post-high school opportunities.
Students have the opportunity to participate in 21 championship sports at the 7 district comprehensive high schools and 7 championship sports at each of the 18 district middle schools. Students who attend Northeast Magnet High School can participate in sports at their base comprehensive school.
WPS is committed to offering fine arts opportunities to all students from Kindergarten through 12th grade. These include instrumental music, theatre, visual arts, and vocal music.
Beginning in elementary school, students have options to participate in activities before, during and after school. Each school's website includes information about the extracurricular options available, including athletics and fine arts, as well as clubs and electives.
Out-of-District Enrollment
If you live outside of the Wichita Public Schools geographic boundaries and want to apply to one of the schools or programs you've learned about, please explore our Out-of-District Enrollment options. Magnet schools and special programs (International Baccalaureate, Early College Academy, BioMed) have deadlines in January and February. All other schools are open to application from January 1- June 15 each year.
Pre-K programs are open to all families in the Wichita area, and can be applied to directly through the Early Childhood Office.
Find Your School
Not sure what school your student would be assigned? Use our online tool to enter your address and find out what school(s) you would attend based on boundaries.