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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. We offer several ways to attend a school in our district, even if you live outside our boundaries. On this page, you will find information about the ways to apply to or enroll in a Wichita school.
In the rest of this section, you will find more in-depth information about the many choices and opportunities available to those who wish to become part of the WPS family. Use the menu items on the left, or under the Pages menu on your mobile device, to learn more about all that WPS has to offer.
Families Who Live Outside WPS Boundaries
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Notes for Out-of-District Enrollment
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.
Description
For students with specific interests or talents, magnet schools may be a good fit. We offer 17 elementary, 2 K-8, 5 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.
How to ApplyComplete 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.
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Notes for Out-of-District Enrollment
Anyone can apply to a WPS special program school, including from outside WPS district boundaries. Priority in the application process will be given to in-district students.
Description
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.
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.
Considerations
- Transportation is not provided.
- East, Northwest become the students’ base schools for purposes of athletic and extracurricular participation.
- EIA does not have sports teams.
How to ApplyIB: Application process starts in fall of 8th grade.
ECA: Application process starts in fall of 8th grade.
Education Imagine: accepts students on an ongoing basis. Complete an interest form, then meet with the program principal to determine whether the student’s learning style and interests match with the program structure.
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Notes for Out-of-District Enrollment
All districts in Kansas provide this option starting with the 2024-25 school year.
Description
The Open Enrollment Lottery provides a final opportunity for students from outside the WPS district boundaries to attend a WPS school. On or before June 1 each year, the district will list the number of spots open at each school for the upcoming academic year. The number of openings per school will vary based on student-staff ratio, expected neighborhood or magnet student enrollment, and capacity of the building.
Considerations
- Transportation is not provided.
- Participation in athletics and extra curriculars is not impacted.
- Students with behavior or academic challenges may be asked to return to their base school the next year.
- Keeping siblings together is prioritized.
How to ApplyApplications will be available on the district’s website starting June 1. Families must apply by June 30, and accepted students will be notified by July 15 for the school year beginning in August.
Families Who Live Inside WPS Boundaries
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Description
For students with specific interests or talents, magnet schools may be of interest. We offer 17 elementary, 2 K-8, 5 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.
How to Apply or EnrollCheck the school you are assigned to by address. Many of our magnet schools accept students from both 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.
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Description
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.
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.
Considerations
- IB and ECA students receive transportation to East, Northwest.
- East, Northwest become the students’ base schools for purposes of athletic and extracurricular participation.
- EIA does not have sports teams.
How to Apply or EnrollIB: Application process starts in fall of 8th grade.
ECA: Application process starts in fall of 8th grade.
Education Imagine: accepts students on an ongoing basis as seats are available. Complete an interest form, then meet with the program principal to determine whether the student’s learning style and interests match with the program structure.
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Description
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
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.
How to ApplyThe 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.
Opportunities at All Schools
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Elementary Schools
All elementary schools offer fine arts, PE, music, and library. Some have partnerships that provide during and after school clubs and activities, such as:
- Girls Who Code
- Girls Who Run
- Robotics
- Girl Scouts/Boy Scouts
- STEALTH after school
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Middle Schools
Students begin choosing electives in middle school, including Project Lead the Way and AVID. School-sponsored sports start in 7th grade, along with advanced fine arts opportunities like band and orchestra. Additional leadership options like JROTC and Student Council also begin.
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High Schools
In high school, students’ options expand to include Advanced Placement/college credit courses, Career and Technical Education pathways, advanced fine arts, competitive sports, and as many clubs as students can create. The FutureReady Centers accept students from all high schools with interest in Manufacturing or Health Care careers and courses. Elective courses continue in many subject areas.