The McConnell AFB area offers a wide range of educational opportunities and options. Below you will find a brief summary of the options and a list of websites for more information.
PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS • The school district your child will attend is based upon your home address. If you live on base, your children will attend the Derby Unified School District (USD) 260. Wineteer Elementary is located adjacent to base housing. Students in grades 6-12 living in base housing are bused to the Derby Sixth Grade Center, Derby Middle and Derby High.
If you are interested in school district “ratings,” the best place to find information is the website of the Kansas Department of Education (KSDE). School and district report cards are available online at http://online.ksde.org/rcard/index.aspx. For district specifics, such as student-teacher ratios, graduation requirements, and course offerings, please visit the websites for each specific district.
• Andover-USD 385: The Andover Public School District has an enrollment of approximately 4,800 students attending six elementary schools, two middle and two high schools. The district offers high school students Advanced Placement courses and Dual Credit courses through its partnership with Butler Community College.
• Derby-USD 260: The Derby Public Schools serve more than 6,500 students, including residents of base housing. There are nine elementary schools, a sixth grade center, a middle school, a high school, and an alternative high school setting. Derby offers the nationally recognized Project Lead the Way curriculum in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) as well as Advanced Placement courses.
• Haysville-USD 261: The Haysville School System has more than 5,000 students enrolled in six elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school and four special facilities. Their specialty schools include Haysville Alternative High School, Learning by Design Virtual Charter School, and Tri-City Day School (a cooperative effort between Derby, Haysville and Mulvane schools to meet the diverse emotional and mental health needs of their K-12 students).
• Maize-USD 266: The Maize School District has one K-5 elementary, one K-1 elementary, and two 2-5 elementary schools; two middle schools; two high schools; and one alternative high school. USD 266 currently allows students and parents to submit a preference for which of the two high schools they would like to attend. Both offer Advanced Placement courses and a wide variety of activities.
• Mulvane-USD 263: USD 263 is home to approximately 1,900 students. They attend one primary school (K-2), one grade school (3-5), one middle school (6-8), and one high school (9-12). The Mulvane School District also sponsors a charter school, Mulvane Academy, for students who have not flourished in a traditional setting. Mulvane Academy has a total enrollment of 20 students, allowing for one-on-one instruction.
• Rose Hill-USD 394: Rose Hill is a district with one primary school (grades K-2), one intermediate school (grades 3-5), a middle school (grades 6-8), and a high school (grades 9-12). USD 394 has an enrollment of approximately 1,700 students. The school system is excited about its technology in the classroom, including laptops, Smartboards and, most recently, the IPod Touch.
• Wichita-USD 259: The Wichita Public School District is the largest school district in Kansas with an enrollment of more than 50,000 students. There are 56 elementary schools, 16 middle schools, two K-8 schools, 10 high schools and 16 other special program locations. USD 259 offers 26 magnet programs: 19 elementary school, two K-8, four middle school, and one high school. USD 259 also offers alternative schools and special programs. One special program is the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. There is a Pre-IB for grades 6-8 at Robinson Middle and IB at East High for grades 9-12. For information on all magnet, alternative and special programs please visit the district website.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS • There are numerous private schools in the Wichita area. Some have religious affiliations, others do not. The Kansas Department of Education (KSDE) provides a list of private schools which have been accredited by the state. KSDE also provides a list of non-accredited schools. These schools may be accredited by an organization other than the State of Kansas. Both lists are available at www.ksde.org. Some of the schools are listed below.
ACCREDITED BY KSDE:
Bethany Lutheran School http://www.bethanylutheranschool.com
Bethel Life School http://bethellifecenter.org
Heartspring http://www.heartspring.org
Holy Cross Lutheran School http://www.lovemyschool.net
Wichita Montessori School http://www.wichitamontessori.com
Trinity Academy http://www.trinityacademy.org
Wichita Catholic Diocese http://www.cdowk.org
Word Of Life Traditional School http://www.wolts.org
NON-ACCREDITED BY KSDE:
Central Christian Academy http://www.ccalions.org
Independent School http://www.theindependentschool.com
Wichita Collegiate http://www.wcsks.com
HOME SCHOOLING INFORMATION • All homeschools are considered Non-Accredited Private Schools in Kansas. Kansas does not specifically authorize “home instruction” or “homeschooling.” Therefore, you are required by law to register the name and address of the private school (homeschool) with the State Board of Education. The form is available online at www.ksde.org. Contact the School Liaison at 316-759-6020 for additional information and resources.
KsDE Home Schooling Information http://ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1684
Teaching Parents Association http://www.wichitahomeschool.org/
Wichita Area Homeschool Athletic Association http://www.wichitawarriors.org/
VIRTUAL SCHOOLS • There are a growing number of virtual schooling options available. Virtual schools are online courses. Many Kansas school districts are now offering virtual education. A list of virtual schools affiliated with Kansas school districts is listed online at www.ksde.org. You can also contact the School Liaison Officer at 316-759-6020 for additional information.
