Wichita

The Wichita school district in Kansas serves 87 schools, including 58 elementary schools, 16 middle schools, 11 high schools, and 2 alternative schools. While the district as a whole lags behind state averages in academic proficiency, a few standout schools shine, including Bostic Traditional Magnet Elementary, Hyde International Studies/Commun Elementary Magnet, and McLean Science/Technical Magnet Elementary. These high-performing magnet schools rank among the top 15% of Kansas elementary schools, with exceptional results in core academic subjects.

However, many Wichita schools face significant challenges, with high rates of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, a common indicator of economic disadvantage. Several schools have over 90% of students in this category, which can present additional obstacles to academic achievement. The data also reveals disparities in spending per student and student-teacher ratios, but these factors do not appear to directly correlate with school performance. This suggests a need for more targeted interventions and support to address the unique needs of high-poverty schools and help improve outcomes across the Wichita school district.

Among the high schools, Northwest High stands out, ranking in the top 30% of Kansas high schools and earning 2-3 stars from SchoolDigger over the past few years. This indicates that while the district faces significant challenges, there are pockets of excellence that can serve as models for improvement and provide hope for the future of Wichita's schools.