Want to enroll your student in a Wichita magnet school? How you can apply now
Even though school began just a couple of months ago, some parents may want to start thinking about the 2026-27 school year now. That’s because enrollment for Wichita’s magnet elementary, middle and high schools opened this week.
Magnet schools operate within the district and have specific themes used in instruction — like performing arts and science, technology, engineering and mathematics or STEM. Themes depend on the school, and “do not replace the standard district curriculum, but ... serve to enhance instruction by weaving the theme into all subjects,” Wichita Public Schools’ website reads.
“The magnet themes are woven into all subject areas,” Susan Arensman, the spokesperson for USD 259, wrote The Eagle via email.
Enrollment for the next school year opened the first week of October and will close Friday, Jan. 30 for middle and high schools and Friday, Feb. 27 for elementary schools. Applying for placement in Wichita’s magnet schools does not guarantee enrollment.
Guardians will have the opportunity to speak with all 23 of Wichita’s magnet schools at the district’s Choices Fair at Century 2, which is slated for Tuesday, Nov. 18 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
“The Choices Fair showcases programs that are unique to Wichita Public Schools, including magnet schools, special programs, career pathways and other programs,” Arensman wrote.
The Eagle has requested information from the district on how many magnet school applications it receives every year, which was not immediately provided.
How does magnet school enrollment work in Wichita, KS?
There are two kinds of magnet schools — a neighborhood magnet school and a pure magnet school. All students have to apply for a pure magnet school to attend.
Neighborhood magnet schools, however, have enrollment from students who live within the schools’ boundaries, as well as those who apply via lottery. If a student lives in a neighborhood magnet school’s boundary, they do not need to apply and instead can enroll through the traditional process.
Guardians can apply for magnet school placement on Wichita Public Schools’ website.
All students who apply will be entered into a lottery, with students randomly selected for placement. Some students, however, have priority selection, including those who have a sibling already enrolled in that school or who live in a certain part of the city.
Families will be notified mid-March of their acceptance. Any student denied placement will be placed on a wait list automatically. While the lottery is for a student’s first choice, second and third choices shared in the application will be offered to the student if spots are available.
In addition to magnet schools, enrollment is also open for the district’s International Baccalaureate program, Pre-IB program, early college academy, the BioMed program and AVID.
Magnet schools in Wichita
Here’s a list of magnet schools in the Wichita school district, from USD 259’s website:
- Allison Traditional Magnet (middle school)
- Black Traditional Magnet (elementary)
- Bostic Traditional Magnet (elementary)
- Brooks Center for STEM and Arts (middle)
- Buckner Performing Arts and Science (elementary)
- Coleman Environmental Magnet (middle)
- Dodge Literacy Magnet (elementary)
- Earheart Environmental Magnet (elementary)
- Enders Community Service and Leadership Magnet (elementary)
- Gordon Parks Academy (grades K-8)
- Horace Mann Dual Language Magnet (grades K-8)
- Hyde Leadership and International Explorations Magnet (elementary)
- Isely Traditional Magnet Elementary (elementary)
- L’Ouverture Career Exploration and Technology Magnet (elementary)
- Mayberry Cultural and Fine Arts Magnet (middle)
- McLean Science and Technology Magnet (elementary)
- Minneah Core Knowledge Magnet (elementary)
- Mueller Aerospace and Engineering Discovery Magnet (elementary)
- Northeast Magnet High School
- Price-Harris Communications Magnet (elementary)
- Riverside Leadership Magnet (elementary)
- Spaught Science and Communications Magnet (elementary)
- Woodland Health and Fitness Magnet (elementary)
