Neighborhood Schools
Elementary
Our neighborhood schools may not have themes; however, there are programs and opportunities your students may take advantage of at neighborhood schools. To find out about the unique offerings of your child's assigned school or if they offer any of the programs listed below, check their website or call the school to learn more.
School-wide programs and approaches
- Leader in Me: modeled off Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, helps students with goal setting starting in Kindergarten. Schools with this curriculum include Enders, Gammon, Hyde, Kensler and Stanley elementary schools.
- AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination): Schools with this curriculum include Colvin, Jackson, Pleasant Valley, Washington and Woodman elementary schools.
Opt-in programs and clubs
- Girls Who Code and Coding clubs
- Robotics
- Boy Scouts of America - Quivera Council
- Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland
- Girls on the Run
- Battle of the Books
- Dance Troupe
- Running clubs
- S.T.E.A.L.T.H. after school program
Middle
Middle school is a formative time for students. At Wichita Public Schools, choices and opportunities begin to emerge around academics, athletics, student clubs and career exploration.
- Academics: Students begin choosing electives in middle school. This includes the Project Lead the Way engineering curriculum and the AVID elective at select middle schools.
- Find a list of AVID secondary schools here. Applications are required for the AVID elective class.
- Athletics: All middle schools have the opportunity for students to compete in four championship sports starting in 7th grade - cross country (girls and boys), volleyball (girls), basketball (girls and boys) and track (girls and boys). Some schools also offer cheer and dance teams that support these athletes.
- Student Clubs: All middle school students have a variety of clubs to choose from during and after school hours. Some of the opportunities include groups like National Academic League, Robotics, Yearbook, Student Council, Garden Club, Leadership (pre-JROTC) and more.
- Fine Arts: Instrumental music instruction, or band and orchestra, becomes an option for students in middle school. Drama classes are offered at six middle schools. Visual arts and vocal music options are also available in these grades. See the Fine Arts website for more information.
High
Wichita Public Schools offers high school students opportunities to thrive in academics, fine arts, sports and more. With seven comprehensive schools, one magnet school and several alternative and virtual options, students can find opportunities throughout the city. The majority of students who live in district geographic boundaries will attend a neighborhood, comprehensive high school.
High School Opportunities
Programs in this list may require an application, but do not require a student to change their neighborhood (base) high school to participate. If the student's base school doesn't offer the AVID elective, advanced coursework or one of the CTE pathways, they may request a Special Transfer.
AVID - Advancement Via Individual Determination
AVID, Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a schoolwide college and career readiness system. AVID is designed to increase the number of students who enroll and succeed in higher education and in their lives beyond high school. At the secondary level, AVID instructional practices are used schoolwide and the AVID Elective class is utilized to add an extra layer of support for college readiness if a student chooses to participate.
Students interested in the AVID Elective class in high school and middle must apply during the application window. Find more information here.
Career and Technical Education
Today’s cutting-edge, rigorous and relevant career and technical education (CTE) prepares young adults for a wide range of high-wage, high-skill, high-demand careers. All seven comprehensive high schools and Northeast Magnet offer students the opportunity to participate in CTE courses starting their freshman year. Students are required to complete at least one CTE elective before graduating and are encouraged to complete entire pathways when they find the subject or trade that most interests them.
Not all courses or pathways are offered at all schools. To find out which pathways your school has, visit the CTE program site for more information. If their assigned school doesn't offer a program, students may request a special transfer to a school that does. Families should work with their current counselor and principal to determine whether that option can be explored.
Students will enroll in CTE courses during their annual course selection process each spring. Click on the photo above to watch our CTE highlight videos, or find the playlist here.
FutureReady Centers
The FutureReady Centers are a Wichita Public Schools and WSU Tech partnership that provide students with hands-on training, learning opportunities, and mentoring from industry experts, regardless of which WPS school they attend. Typically beginning courses in their junior year of high school, students can apply to participate in the FutureReady Manufacturing Center or the FutureReady Healthcare Center. These centers are located across from North High (manufacturing) and at the WSU Tech South Campus (healthcare).
Benefits for Students
- 100% Free - No additional costs, no books
- Open to all WPS juniors and seniors
- Transportation provided
- College credit offered for all classes
- Guaranteed work-based learning internships
- Starts every Fall and Spring semester