Out-of-District Opportunities
Thank you for exploring opportunities to Choose Wichita Schools. At Wichita Public Schools, we understand there are many options for your child's education. Through our Every Student Future Ready strategic plan, we are working to prepare all students to achieve readiness for life, college and career through an innovative and impactful educational experience.
We welcome all students and families in the Wichita area to explore the choices and opportunities available to thrive in Wichita Public Schools. On this page, you will find information about the ways to apply to or enroll in a Wichita school if you live outside the district's geographic boundaries.
- Open Enrollment Lottery
- Magnet Schools
- Innovation Schools
- Secondary School Special Programs
- Special Placements
Open Enrollment Lottery
Open (Out-of-District) Enrollment Lottery
Open Enrollment provides a final opportunity for non-resident students—those who live outside the Wichita Public Schools (WPS) district boundaries—to apply for placement in a WPS school. This lottery doesn't include applying for magnet schools, innovation schools or secondary school special programs.
Each year by June 1, the district will publish the number of available seats at each school for the upcoming school year. Availability varies by school and is based on factors such as student-to-staff ratios, expected neighborhood and magnet enrollment, and building capacity. Enrollment capacities are listed below.
Considerations
- Definition: A non-resident student is a child who lives outside the Wichita Public Schools (WPS) district boundaries.
- Application Window: Applications for non-resident enrollment are accepted January 1 – June 30. Applications must be submitted during this period to be considered.
- Published Capacity: The number of open seats by grade and school will be posted on the WPS website by June 1 each year.
- Lottery Process: If applications exceed available seats, a random lottery will be held and completed by July 15.
- Priority Placement: Priority is given to:
- Siblings of currently accepted non-resident students
- Children of district employees
- Military-connected students
- Acceptance Deadline: Families must accept a placement by August 8, or the student will be moved to the waitlist.
- Transportation: Parents/guardians are responsible for transportation to and from school.
- Good Standing Requirement: Continued enrollment is based on a student’s attendance, behavior, and residency status. Students not in good standing may be denied continued enrollment.
- KSHSAA Participation: Non-resident students are still subject to Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) eligibility rules. https://www.kshsaa.org/School/EntryForms/PDFs/HS/Eligibility.pdf
Enrollment Capacity
Elementary Schools
| Elementary School | KG | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 21 |
| Allen | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 16 |
| Anderson | 7 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 17 |
| Beech | 5 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 17 |
| Benton | 0 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 14 |
| Caldwell | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 12 |
| Cessna | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 17 |
| Chisholm Trail | 4 | 6 | 8 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 29 |
| Christa McAuliffe K-8 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 13 |
| Cloud | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| College Hill | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 14 |
| Colvin | 7 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 7 | 29 |
| Enterprise | 3 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 20 |
| Franklin | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| Gammon | 4 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 26 |
| Gardiner | 6 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 22 |
| Griffith | 5 | 6 | 5 | 12 | 8 | 5 | 41 |
| Harry Street | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 19 |
| Irving | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 9 |
| Jackson | 0 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 16 |
| Jefferson | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 8 |
| Kelly | 6 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 48 |
| Kensler | 5 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 21 |
| Lawrence | 9 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 24 |
| Linwood | 14 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 23 |
| McCollom | 0 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 19 |
| OK | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 28 |
| Ortiz | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Peterson | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Pleasant Valley | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 12 |
| Seltzer | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
| Stanley | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Washington | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
| White | 6 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 28 |
| Woodman | 4 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 17 |
Middle Schools
| Middle School | 6th | 7th | 8th | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christa McAuliffe K-8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 30 |
| Curtis | 5 | 5 | 5 | 15 |
| Hamilton | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Marshall | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| Mead | 3 | 3 | 3 | 9 |
| Pleasant Valley | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Robinson | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Stucky | 4 | 4 | 4 | 12 |
| Truesdell | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Wilbur | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
High Schools
How to Apply
Applications for non-resident students will be accepted on the district's website beginning January 1. Families must submit their application by June 30.
Notification of acceptance will be sent by July 15, and families must accept the placement by August 8.
If the placement is not accepted by the deadline, the application will be moved to the waitlist and may be reconsidered later based on space availability.
Explore all the opportunities available at WPS schools by visiting the Discover WPS page.
Magnet Schools
Magnet Schools
Anyone can apply to a WPS magnet school, including from outside WPS district boundaries. Priority in the lottery process will be given to in-district students.
For students with specific interests or talents, magnet schools may be a good fit. We offer 16 elementary, 2 K-8, 4 middle, and 1 high school magnet options.
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.
Considerations
-
Transportation is not provided to out of district students.
-
Siblings of students already at the school receive priority placement at the same school.
-
Once accepted, you do not need to re-apply.
-
Northeast Magnet does not have sports teams – out-of-district student athletes are able to compete at the WPS high school closest to their home address.
Apply to Magnet
Complete the magnet application by the deadline (typically late January for middle and high schools, mid-February for elementary schools). Students are selected for magnet spots via a random lottery.
Families who missed the application window are still welcome to apply, but students will be put on a waiting list and will be considered if an opening exists. Families are encouraged to apply during the application window the following year if their student is not placed in a magnet school.
Innovation Schools
Innovation schools
Anyone can apply to our innovation schools, including from outside WPS district boundaries.
- Education Imagine Academy is a flexible virtual learning opportunity for grades K-12. As a Microsoft Showcase School, EIA personalizes learning for students while offering in-person connections and project-based learning as options.
- Creative Minds Academy Located at the Learning Lab at Union Station in downtown Wichita, this vertical school includes students in grades K-6 in one classroom.
Considerations
-
Transportation is not provided to any students.
-
Siblings of students already at the school receive priority placement.
-
Once accepted, you do not need to re-apply.
-
EIA does not have sports teams.
How to Apply
Education Imagine: accepts students on an ongoing basis. Families complete an interest form, then meet with the principal to determine whether the student’s learning style and interests match with the program structure.
Creative Minds Academy: accepts students until it is full. Families complete an interest form, then meet with the lead teacher to determine whether the student’s learning style and interests match with the program structure.
Secondary School Special Programs
Secondary school special programs
Anyone can apply to a WPS secondary school special program school, including from outside WPS district boundaries. Priority in the application process will be given to in-district students.
The Robinson Pre-IB Program is a rigorous academic program of study that emphasizes the relationship of the student with the community and the world. It is designed for intrinsically motivated students who prefer a more demanding curriculum including foreign language, in-depth research, and advanced math, science, social studies, and language arts.
The International Baccalaureate diploma or certificate program, hosted by East High School, is a comprehensive and rigorous college-prep program designed to meet the needs of academically talented and highly motivated students.
Early College Academy (ECA), hosted by Northwest High, is a program intentionally designed to promote access and opportunity for more students to obtain a college degree. In partnership with Friends University, ECA allows students to take more classes for college credit earlier in high school.
BioMed at North High School is a four-year advanced level science program that prepares students for the rigors of college and in science and health related careers.
AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is an academic program that prepares students for college and career by teaching them the skills and characteristics needed to be successful through rigorous content, leadership opportunities and tutorials. In grades 6 - 12, AVID is an elective class.
Considerations
- Transportation is not provided.
- Robinson, East, North and Northwest become the students’ base schools for purposes of athletic and extracurricular participation.
How to Apply
Robinson Middle School Pre-IB process starts in fall of 5th grade and includes completing an application and student evaluation, taking a placement test, and having a teacher complete an evaluation.
International Baccalaureate (IB) process starts in fall of 8th grade and includes completing an application, taking a placement test, and providing two teacher letters of recommendation.
Early College Academy (ECA) process starts in fall of 8th grade and includes completing an application and writing two essays.
BioMed process starts in the fall and includes an application, recommendation letters and an interview.
AVID application process begins during the Choice Enrollment timeframe annually from October through January.