Out-of-District Opportunities

Open (Out-of-District) Enrollment Lottery

This application is for families who reside outside the boundaries of Wichita Public Schools and are seeking to enroll their children. Enrollment is subject to availability and criteria outlined in Board Policy 5506: Non-Resident Enrollment and Admission.

Definition of Nonresident Student
A "nonresident student" is one who is enrolled, attending, or seeking to enroll in a school located in a district where they do not reside.

•    If your student is already attending a Wichita Public Schools (USD 259) school, you do not need to complete this form.
•    To confirm whether your current school is within the WPS boundaries, use the School Finder Tool.

How Out-of-District Open Enrollment Works
Wichita Public Schools accepts Out-of-District Open Enrollment applications each year for schools and grade levels that have available seats, as approved by the Board of Education. 

If more students apply than there are available seats, the district uses a random lottery to determine placement. 

Before any lottery occurs, all applications are reviewed to ensure students meet Good Standing requirements. Only students who meet Good Standing are eligible for placement or lottery consideration. 

Good Standing Requirements
Students must meet Good Standing criteria as defined in BOE Policy 5506. Under policy, a student is automatically considered not in good standing if they meet any of the following conditions: 

• attendance was below 90% in the current or previous school year,
• more than one out-of-school suspension, 
• any long-term suspension or expulsion, 
• providing false or fraudulent information during the application process, and/or
• not on track for on-time graduation (high school students).

Transportation
Families are responsible for arranging transportation for nonresident students.

KSHSAA Eligibility
Nonresident students transferring into the district must comply with Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) eligibility requirements for participation in activities.

 https://www.kshsaa.org/School/EntryForms/PDFs/HS/Eligibility.pdf 

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.

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.

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.