In-District Opportunities

The information below is for families who have students currently attending a Wichita Public Schools location or who would attend a WPS school based on current address. All families who live in the WPS boundaries are invited to enroll in their neighborhood school. Simply look for online enrollment to open in July each year, and start the enrollment process!

If you believe a different WPS school is the best one for your student to thrive, please review the options for making a change within the district. If you're not sure whether you already live in the WPS district boundaries, please use our School Finder tool.

Find Your School

Magnet Schools

What are magnet schools?

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 provided to students who live more than 2.5 miles from the school.
Siblings of students already at the school receive priority for placement at the same school.
Once accepted, you do not need to re-apply in subsequent years.
Northeast Magnet does not have sports teams – student athletes are able to compete at their base school.

Apply to Magnet

First, check the school you are assigned to by address. Many of our magnet schools accept students both from the neighborhood and via the lottery. If you already live in the boundaries, you do not need to apply.

If you live in a different school’s boundaries (but still within WPS boundaries), 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.

Apply Now

Secondary School Special Programs

What are secondary school special programs?

The Robinson Pre-IB Program is a rigorous academic program of study for students in grades 6-8 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 at no cost to the student.

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.

Considerations

IB and ECA students receive transportation to East, Northwest.
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 5^th grade and includes completing an application and student evaluation, taking a placement test, and having a teacher complete an evaluation.

Apply to Pre-IB

International Baccalaureate (IB) process starts in fall of 8^th grade and includes completing an application, taking a placement test, and providing two teacher letters of recommendation.

Apply to IB

Early College Academy (ECA) process starts in fall of 8^th grade and includes completing an application and writing two essays.

Apply to ECA

BioMed process starts in the fall and includes an application, recommendation letters and an interview.

Apply to BioMed

Special Transfer

What is a special transfer?

The Special Transfer (or Assignment) process provides students with an option to change schools with permission of the principal at both the assigned school and the school they wish to attend. We recommend making special transfer requests before the start of a new school year; however, they can be submitted at any time.

Example reasons for a special transfer:

Already attend the school
Sibling already attends the requested school
Requested school offers a program the base school does not (i.e., CTE Pathways, AVID elective)

Example reasons a special transfer may be denied:

Behavior challenges at last school attended
Academic challenges (low grades)
Attendance challenges
Transferring for athletic purposes

Considerations

Transportation will not be provided to get to the new school.
Student athletes may have to sit out an entire calendar year (KSHSAA rule).
Continued attendance at the new school must be discussed with the principal before each school year.
Special Transfers may be revoked if behavior, attendance, or grades do not fall in line with expectations.
The Special Transfer process cannot be used to move to a magnet school outside the magnet lottery process.

How to Apply

The special transfer application is available on the district’s website year-round. An interested student/parent will complete the application form. The principal at the student’s current school will review and approve or deny. If approved, the principal at the new school will approve or deny. If approved, the student will be invited to transfer to the requested school.

Request a Special Transfer

Innovation Schools

What are innovation schools?

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 is in its pilot year in 2024-25. Located at the Learning Lab at Union Station in downtown Wichita, this vertical school includes students in grades K-6 in one classroom. Check back in spring 2025 to find out whether the concept school will continue to enroll students in 2025-26.

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.

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.

Complete Interest Form

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.

Complete Interest Form

FutureReady Centers

What are FutureReady Centers?

The FutureReady Centers are a Wichita Public School and WSU Tech partnership that provide students with hands-on training, learning opportunities, and mentoring from industry experts while still attending their base high schools. Students are enrolled in two courses and attend those classes every other day.

Current programs include Healthcare and Manufacturing. Technology and Construction Trades programs are being developed.

A few details

100% free to the student/family
Starts every Fall and Spring semester
Open to WPS juniors and seniors
Transportation available
No books required
Students earn college credit
Guaranteed work-based learning internship

Apply to FutureReady

Applications are accepted in the fall and spring until classes are full. Students may need to complete other classes their freshman or sophomore year to be eligible to join an FRC program. The FutureReady Centers website includes details about all the required courses.

Visit FRC Website

Understand Special Assignments

In some circumstances, a student may be assigned to a school where they will recieve the best education for their unique circumstances. Representatives from the district or school will always talk with parents before making special assignments.

Special Day Schools

Our special day schools utilize therapeutic supports to aid students as they progress in the educational curriculum. Students are placed at one of these schools through an Individual Education Plan, consultation with a Child Study Team (school principal, counselor, social worker, psychologist, and other support staff), or hearing process.

Bryant Opportunity Academy serves students in grades K-5.
Wells Middle School serves students in grades 6-8.
Sowers Alternative High School serves students in grades 9-12.
Gateway Alternative Program serves students in grades 6-12.

ESOL, Newcomer and Migrant Education Programs

All students and families who are new to the district and speak a language other than English start with an English language proficiency assessment to determine the best program for their skills.

English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
- All WPS elementary schools are able to serve students who qualify for ESOL support and do not require special assignment.
- Middle and high school students who qualify for ESOL services will be assigned to a school with staff trained in working closely with students who need English-language support, though families can choose to opt out of those services. Be sure to speak with the team at Multilingual Education Services to work through the options that will be best for your student's future.
Newcomer Programs
- Students may be assigned to a school as part of the Newcomer program if they have very recently moved to the United States as an immigrant or refugee and need more intense support to learn English as well as school and life skills. In these programs, students learn alongside others who are also new to the country.
Migrant Education Program
- This federal program helps migrant children access the same educational opportunities as all other children. It provides additional services beyond those offered by other local and federal programs to ensure that qualifying students succeed academically. Migrant students are defined as those who have moved across school district boundaries in the past three years for work related to agriculture or meat processing. They are eligible for services from ages 3 through 21.

Special Education Programs

When it comes to students who need extra support due to physical, mental or behavioral characteristics, WPS has a wide range of options available to help your student thrive. Some students will attend the school to which they applied or were assigned by address and receive support services on site, while others may be assigned to a specific school that can best meet their needs. A student's Individual Education Plan or Section 504 Health Plan will be used to determine the best option, in collaboration with parents and caregivers.

Programs Available

Deaf and Heard of Hearing - Caldwell Elementary, Curits Middle School, and Southeast High School
Visually Impaired - Isely Elementary, Stucky Middle School, and Northeast Magnet High School
Gifted - daily services available at 11 elementary schools, 2 K-8 schools, 7 middle schools, and 8 high schools
Interrelated - special education support for students who remain at the school they have applied to or been assigned to
Categorical - special education support that may require assigning students to schools that have "categorical" programs

Special Education Schools

Levy Special Education Center - serves students from Kindergarten through age 21 with the most intense physical, mental and behavioral development needs
Chisholm Life Skills - designed to help differently-abled students transition from high school to young adulthood, working up to independent employment opportunities by first having school-sponsored work experiences

McKinney-Vento Families in Transition

Wichita Public Schools has a strong commitment to ensure that all homeless children and youth receive a meaningful opportunity to enroll and attend school in the district. Students who qualify for McKinney-Vento services receive special consideration for their school assignment. You can find more information on the McKinney-Vento site to know who qualifies and what services they receive.