Wichita Public Schools offers four types of schools for families in our district. Families new to WPS should always check with their neighborhood school first, and the staff there will help identify the best next steps. The exception is families that speak a primary language other than English in the home. Those families should start at the Multilingual Education Services office website.

• Neighborhood school: These schools are based on geographic boundaries. We have 38 neighborhood elementary schools, 1 K-8 school, 11 middle schools and 7 high schools. 
• Magnet school: These schools have a specific theme and are associated with Magnet Schools of America. They can be either neighborhood magnet or pure magnet schools (which are defined in another FAQ). We have 17 elementary magnets, 2 K-8 magnets, 4 middle magnets and 1 high school magnet. 
• Alternative school: These schools offer special programs or services for students who may not thrive in traditional learning environments. Some have an application process, while others are made available to students based on Individual Education Plans. 
• Special assignment: Some students will need to participate in programs that are offered only at certain locations. Special assignments may be made based on competitive programs (International Baccalaureate, Early College Academy, AVID), special needs or the recommendation by a child study team. 

Families new to WPS will always want to start with an enrollment conversation with the student's potential base school (or neighborhood school). The exception is families that speak a primary language other than English in the home. Those families should start at the Multilingual Education Services office website.

To find what school that is, follow the steps below:

1. Go to SchoolFinder.
2. Enter your address (use the simplest possible version of your address).
3. Select the grade level for your student.
4. Note the name of the school that returns as your base school.
5. Return to www.usd259.org, click on the Schools heading, and find your base school for more information. 

Alternatively, you can call Student Records and Enrollment Services at 316-973-4498 to speak with a person who can help you find the right school.

Magnet Schools offer a curriculum designed around a specific theme. From this theme being “screamed” in the halls to being woven into all subjects, students are exposed to these unique concepts throughout all aspects of their academic experience. We offer two types of magnet schools in WPS.

• Neighborhood Magnet: A neighborhood magnet is a magnet school that automatically accepts all students who live within the school's attendance boundaries. If a student would like to attend a neighborhood magnet, and lives within the boundary, he/she would not even need to apply. Students from outside the attendance boundary can apply to attend the magnet and will be placed in the lottery, which will fill any vacancies left after all of the neighborhood students are accounted for.
• Pure Magnet: A pure magnet has no attendance boundaries. Admission to these schools is purely lottery based and all prospective students must submit an application, regardless of proximity between residence and school. 
  • Elementary School Pure Magnets: Bostic Traditional Magnet, Cleaveland Traditional Magnet and Horace Mann Dual Language Magnet
  • Middle School Pure Magnets: Gordon Parks Academy, Horace Mann Dual Language Magnet, Allison Traditional Magnet, Brooks Center for STEM and Arts Magnet and Mayberry Cultural and Fine Arts Magnet
  • High School Pure Magnet: Northeast Magnet

For more information on magnet schools, visit www.usd259.org/magnet. 

We recognize that not all students learn the same way at the same pace, and our goal is to provide choices that ensure a solid educational foundation for all students regardless of obstacles or special needs. The Child Study Team or staff at your student's base school will help you identify the best program to fit your student's needs. 

To give you an idea of the range of opportunities, we have additional information below about our alternative and special program schools. 

• Little Early Childhood Education: for pre-K students who meet specific criteria. Find more information here.
• Levy Special Education Center: for students from kindergarten through age 21 who have developmental disabilities such as autism, intellectual disabilities, or multiple disabilities. Students are assigned to Levy after consultation with the appropriate Child Study Team. Find more information here. 
• Dunlap Transition Campus at Chisholm: serves students from ages 18-21 who need special assistance with transitioning from school to living on their own, with the goal of developing life and work skills needed to be self-sufficient. Find more information here. 
• Chester I. Lewis Academic Learning Center: houses four programs for high school students and adults in an alternative setting. Find more information here. 
• Bryant Opportunity Academy, Greiffenstein-Wells and Sowers Alternative Schools: support students with behavioral or developmental needs in a different setting other than a neighborhood school. These support elementary, middle and high school students, respectively. Explore Bryant, Greiffenstein-Wells or Sowers websites. 

WPS serves over 8,200 English Learners (ELs) in early childhood through 12th grade with services provided in PreK programs, 33 elementary schools, 12 middle schools, and 5 high schools.  A variety of ESOL services are tailored to meet the unique academic language needs of each student.

The goal of the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program is to ensure that each English learner develops linguistically, academically, and cognitively within a socially and culturally supportive environment so that students may meaningfully participate in all curricular areas.

Visit the Multilingual Education Services page for more information. If your family speaks a primary language other than English in the home, this office will be your starting place for school placement.

School districts in Kansas are determined by geographic boundaries set at the state level based on Census data. 

• District Schools: Public schools in the state are open to all students in their geographic boundaries. These schools are accredited by and report results to the Kansas Department of Education (KSDE). Find the KSDE state standards on the organization's website.
• Private Schools (accredited): Many, but not all, are affiliated with a religious institution. They follow the same state policies for assessments and reporting; however, they have flexibility in who they admit, curriculum used, and whether and how much tuition to charge. 
• Private Schools (non-accredited): Some private schools are not accredited at the state level. This includes home schools and other private, independent institutions that have chosen not to pursue state-level accreditation. These institutions may or may not be accredited by an organization other than KSDE.