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![Photos of deteriorating schools]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1739308659/usd259org/uasrmdvwbfnnt80jr6gy/AddressingRealNeedsnewsstory.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1739308659/usd259org/uasrmdvwbfnnt80jr6gy/AddressingRealNeedsnewsstory.jpg","width":285}])
The Board of Education heard an update on the educational effort and planning for the February 25 bond election.
![BOE Officers Diane Albert and Melody McCray-Miller]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1736820110/usd259org/qidraepcxullbagha80s/BOEOfficers25.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1736820110/usd259org/qidraepcxullbagha80s/BOEOfficers25.jpg","width":285}])
Wichita Board of Education members elected Diane Albert as President and Melody McCray-Miller as Vice-President for 2025.
![WPS employee shaking hands with district leadership.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1734365630/usd259org/nvqpr9hetzyfgngyznwm/AY24-25_FallGoodApple.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1734365630/usd259org/nvqpr9hetzyfgngyznwm/AY24-25_FallGoodApple.jpg","width":285}])
More than 300 employees, volunteers and partners were recognized with the Good Apple Award on December 9.
![Photo of a n elementary teacher working with a student with text that reads Learn About the Plan]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1733418082/usd259org/oyffoakyagnqhvcblhfr/FacilityMasterPlanLearnaboutit.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1733418082/usd259org/oyffoakyagnqhvcblhfr/FacilityMasterPlanLearnaboutit.jpg","width":285}])
The Board of Education heard an overview of the Facility Master Plan community survey during its December 2, 2024 meeting.
![Allison Middle School at 2024 Turkey Drive]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1732316838/usd259org/tzhfs6o4usdio8bd1nmr/Allisonat2024TurkeyDrive.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1732316838/usd259org/tzhfs6o4usdio8bd1nmr/Allisonat2024TurkeyDrive.jpg","width":285}])
WPS schools enjoyed friendly competition while making the holidays bright for Wichita families in need at the 2024 Turkey Drive, collecting 2040 turkeys, 48,560 side items and more than $18,000.
![Students in caps and gowns throwing their caps in the air]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1731010964/usd259org/vonfkiwx0ie9dt1rmgr0/AY24-25_GradHatToss_01.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1731010964/usd259org/vonfkiwx0ie9dt1rmgr0/AY24-25_GradHatToss_01.jpg","width":285}])
Wichita Public Schools’ graduation rate for the Class of 2024 is 84.3%, up 10.3 percentage points from 2018.
![Two smiling Bostic elementary students working together on a lesson]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1728055813/usd259org/bf2ukolq0jrqgtt5ql14/Bostic_AY24-25_Classroom-1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1728055813/usd259org/bf2ukolq0jrqgtt5ql14/Bostic_AY24-25_Classroom-1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1728055813/usd259org/bf2ukolq0jrqgtt5ql14/Bostic_AY24-25_Classroom-1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1728055813/usd259org/bf2ukolq0jrqgtt5ql14/Bostic_AY24-25_Classroom-1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1728055813/usd259org/bf2ukolq0jrqgtt5ql14/Bostic_AY24-25_Classroom-1.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1728055813/usd259org/bf2ukolq0jrqgtt5ql14/Bostic_AY24-25_Classroom-1.jpg","width":2200}])
Wichita Public Schools enrollment for the 24-25 school year is 46,556. Traditional PreK – 12 enrollment has increased for the first time in several years.
![Nicklaus Njoroge and Jack Brown named National Merit Semifinalists]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1726085908/usd259org/idcixtq5jzmkhuh5ipd7/AY24-25_NEM_nationalmerit.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1726085908/usd259org/idcixtq5jzmkhuh5ipd7/AY24-25_NEM_nationalmerit.jpg","width":285}])
Students at East High, Northeast Magnet and Northwest have been named National Merit Semifinalists.
![A Heart graphic with a students playing on the playground in the middle of the heart.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1726949819/usd259org/k4ou28okfujesdet8hee/AY24-25_Bond25graphic.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1726949819/usd259org/k4ou28okfujesdet8hee/AY24-25_Bond25graphic.jpg","width":285}])
For just the third time in 50 years, WPS will take a facility bond issue to Wichita voters on February 25, 2025. The Board of Education voted to put the special bond election on the ballot in an amount not to exceed $450 million to finance improvements with no tax rate increase.
![A graphic with renderings of buildings]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1726951189/usd259org/jblsf2kmhxurj6stoieh/AY24-25_FMP1Graphic.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1726951189/usd259org/jblsf2kmhxurj6stoieh/AY24-25_FMP1Graphic.jpg","width":285}])
The Board of Education unanimously approved the final draft of the Facility Master Plan – Step 1 on August 26, 2024. The Facility Master Plan is the roadmap and vision for WPS facilities moving forward over the next several years.
![Wichita Public Schools awarded $15.3 million for energy upgrades]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1713450065/usd259org/gm3rlqujhkl6sjwz7gpc/WPSlogo_stacked_color_thumbnail.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1713450065/usd259org/gm3rlqujhkl6sjwz7gpc/WPSlogo_stacked_color_thumbnail.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1713450065/usd259org/gm3rlqujhkl6sjwz7gpc/WPSlogo_stacked_color_thumbnail.jpg","width":600}])
Wichita Public Schools was awarded a $15.3 million Renew America’s Schools Prize through the US Department of Energy.
![Creative Minds teacher Olivia Sumner works with a student on his iPad project.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1723836984/usd259org/npo3g4bmzglygzp4pfkp/AY24-25_CreativeMindslaunch.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1723836984/usd259org/npo3g4bmzglygzp4pfkp/AY24-25_CreativeMindslaunch.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1723836984/usd259org/npo3g4bmzglygzp4pfkp/AY24-25_CreativeMindslaunch.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1723836984/usd259org/npo3g4bmzglygzp4pfkp/AY24-25_CreativeMindslaunch.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1723836984/usd259org/npo3g4bmzglygzp4pfkp/AY24-25_CreativeMindslaunch.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1723836984/usd259org/npo3g4bmzglygzp4pfkp/AY24-25_CreativeMindslaunch.jpg","width":2200}])
The Creative Minds program is a modern-day one-room schoolhouse designed for K-6th grade students where they can pursue their passions and demonstrate their knowledge through creative, collaborative projects.
![Logo Chester Lewis Timberwolves]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1725380330/usd259org/v0cmibnybytrqwfofhnt/CHETCircleLogo.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1725380330/usd259org/v0cmibnybytrqwfofhnt/CHETCircleLogo.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1725380330/usd259org/v0cmibnybytrqwfofhnt/CHETCircleLogo.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1725380330/usd259org/v0cmibnybytrqwfofhnt/CHETCircleLogo.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1725380330/usd259org/v0cmibnybytrqwfofhnt/CHETCircleLogo.png","width":1500}])
Student application information.
![2024 WPS Rally on the River]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1726959532/usd259org/dkdj7fqh5w66hkhpay73/AY24-25_RallyontheRiver.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1726959532/usd259org/dkdj7fqh5w66hkhpay73/AY24-25_RallyontheRiver.jpg","width":285}])
On Aug. 6 we welcomed all WPS employees to the Rally on the River at Riverfront Stadium to kick off the school year and launch our new strategic plan.
![Capturing Kids Hearts showcase school logo]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1734724575/usd259org/vkpkfszgksyvlk1odq3e/CapturingKidsHearts_DistrictNews.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1734724575/usd259org/vkpkfszgksyvlk1odq3e/CapturingKidsHearts_DistrictNews.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1734724575/usd259org/vkpkfszgksyvlk1odq3e/CapturingKidsHearts_DistrictNews.jpg","width":594}])
Chester Lewis Academic Learning Center and Gordon Parks Academy have been named 2023-2024 Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase Schools®.