WICHITA HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL

Wichita Heights High School offers numerous courses to allow students to mix college or vocational preparatory courses with other areas of interest. Scholarship is encouraged through honors, advanced placement and dual-credit classes. Beyond the classroom, 35 sports, clubs and activities provide students with an opportunity to become involved in many aspects of campus life. 

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Achievement Highlights

• 14 students attained a 4.0 GPA, earning the distinct title of valedictorian.

• 12 students were named Kansas Regents Scholars

• Over $2,000,000 in scholarships were offered to the 350 members of the Class of 2013

Exit I-135 at 53^rd St. North; go east on 53^rd St. two miles to Hillside - Heights is on the southwest corner. See Maps for all USD 259 locations.

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Mission Statement

The mission of Heights High School is to provide a positive learning environment for every student, offering each the opportunity to gain proficiency in skills necessary for future goals.

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Campus Improvement Plan

Specific Campus Action Plans have been set for reading, math and attendance based upon the No Child Left Behind target areas established by the Kansas State Department of Education and the Wichita Public Schools. All student groups, based on race, socio-economics and educational needs will meet:

• Kansas Reading Assessment target goals within the range of "meets standard" to "exemplary."
• Kansas Math Assessment target goals within the range of "meets standard" to "exemplary."

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Site Council

The Heights High School Site Council, comprised of teacher, staff, parent, student, business and community representatives, shares in decisions relative to goal setting, curriculum and instruction, budget, staffing and school organization. If you’re committed to making our school a better place to learn and grow, consider applying for a position on the Heights High School Site Council.  Contact our school principal for more details.

Site Council Meetings

Location: South Office Conference Room

Time: Once monthly 6:30 p.m.
Chairperson: TBD

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Programs

Clubs and athletic programs greatly contribute to the school climate. Areas where Heights’ activities have experienced success across the city and state include:

• Basketball – Boys - State Champions 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2022
• Basketball - Girls - State Champions 2011, 2012 
• Bowling – State Champions 2011
• Swimming - State Champions 2015
• Instrumental Music – Plays at home football games and basketball games and has participated in numerous festivals and a full concert season. The Jazz Band received all 1-Ratings at festivals.  Numerous Instrumental Band students received 1-Ratings in the solo and ensemble festival.
• Vocal Music - This program is one of the largest in the city.  Our Vocal Music program at Heights continues to show excellence at regional and state competitions.
• Baseball - State tournament qualifiers in 2012 and 2013
• JROTC – Volunteers gave 540 hours in service for the betterment of this community. Twenty-two students’ accomplishments were recognized by national fraternal and civic organizations for excellence in academics and leadership.
• Scholarships – Over $2,000,000 in scholarship offers says a lot about the academic and athletic prowess of the students of Heights, as well as the efforts of a very special group of teachers, counselors and coaches.
• Football –State Champions 2010, Runner up 2011
• Volleyball 
• Wrestling – State Champions 2011, State Runner-up 2012

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Student Activities

While club offerings may vary slightly from year to year, the following are offered:

Clubs

• Asian Awareness
• Bible Study
• Business Professionals of America
• Circle of Friends
• Esports
• Future Educators of America
• German Club
• Gospel Choir
• Hispanic Awareness
• National Honor Society
• Peer Leaders
• Publications
• SADD
• Safety Committee
• Science Olympiad
• Spanish Honor Society
• Stock Market Club
• Student Council

Sports

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Bowling
• Cheerleading
• Cross Country
• Esports
• Football
• Golf
• Pom Pom
• Soccer
• Softball
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Track
• Volleyball
• Wrestling

The Wichita Public schools offer a comprehensive interscholastic athletic program for high school students. For additional information Click Here to go to the Athletic website.

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School History

The Wichita Heights Rural High School District No. 192 was organized in accordance with the laws of the State of Kansas on January 6, 1959. The purpose of the organization was to provide a four-year rural high school for an increasing number of pupils from five common, non-high school districts in the area. At that time, secondary school students attended 11 different schools in Wichita and Sedgwick County. Overcrowded conditions in these schools seriously restricted the educational opportunity of all students involved. The people of the five common school districts petitioned the County Commission for authority to hold an election to decide whether or not a rural high school district should be organized within the boundaries previously approved by the County Superintendent of Schools. The election was held on December 9, 1958, and was carried by an overwhelming majority.

At a January 5, 1959 meeting, school board members were elected, and the boundaries of Common School Districts No. 51 Kechi Center, No. 184 Kechi, No. 170 North Riverside, No. 171 Riverview, and No. 169 Bridgeport became the boundaries of Rural High School District No. 192. On March 16, 1959, two administrators were elected by the school board to assist in planning the building and the educational program. It was the desire of the school board to provide a building and program that would meet the very comprehensive educational needs of the community.

The architectural firm of Anderson, Srack and Johnson was employed to design a building for approximately 1,200 students. The Vollmer Construction Company was the successful bidder for the general contract. A bond election was passed on July 31, 1959 and actual construction started shortly thereafter. The building site was selected near the geographic center of the Rural High School District at 53^rd Street and North Hillside. The building was opened for school in the fall of 1961.

Heights High School operated under the control of Rural High School District No. 192 for two years. In December 1962, the rural high school district petitioned for attachment to the Wichita Public School District No. 1. The petition was approved, and in July 1963, Heights entered the Wichita system as a four-year high school. In 1966, the ninth grade was dropped, and Heights became a three-year senior high school.

Enrollment at Heights increased from 706 pupils in September 1961 to a high of 1,770 in September 1969. During the years of growing enrollment, a total of 15 portable units were added. Since 1970, there has been a gradual decrease in school population to approximately 1,300 pupils.

In 1976-77, a new gymnasium and a media center were constructed. McVay, Schmidt and Allen were the architects for the addition.

In the fall of 1988, all ninth graders were moved to high schools.

Through the successful passage of a district bond issue in 2000, new science labs and a new cafeteria were added to the Heights.  The old science rooms were remodeled to be used as general-use classrooms.  Howard and Helmer were the architects for this addition/remodel and Key Construction was the general contractor. 

In 2010, another bond issue provided Heights with a new auditorium, gymnasium, swimming pool, administrative offices and stadium with new concessions and restrooms.  Howard and Helmer were once again the architects, with Dondlinger and Sons serving as the general contractor.  

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From A History of Wichita Public School Buildings, c 1997