A woman laughs while kids play at a school during an event.
Volunteer Carol Sidwell entertains children during in-person enrollment at Earhart Environmental Magnet School. Wichita Public Schools will be signing up its youngest students in person before class starts Aug. 14. Credit: (Marcus Clem/The Beacon)

Micah Vannover spent Tuesday afternoon with her children touring Earhart Environmental Magnet School with confidence.

“I do feel like this is going to be a really good school for my kids, just for the opportunities that it has compared to the others,” Vannover said. “Education is what gets kids going far in life. You can have focus on sports, on a lot of things, but it all begins here.” 

The Beacon on
Back to School ’24

Like all others in Wichita Public Schools, Earhart requires kindergarten parents to sign up in person and answer a few questions. The process helps introduce kids to their new school. Each school district has a slightly different process to enroll students. The Beacon has put together a guide to help answer parents’ questions. 

Find your school

If you’ve just moved to Wichita or are enrolling a pre-K or kindergarten student, find your home district using this online tool by inputting your new address. 

If you want to send your kid to a school in a different district, you may need to wait. Most school districts only allow nonresident students to apply for enrollment in June. 

Wichita is an exception — students can apply to enroll at any time.

Gather your documents

Parents will need the following documents for students enrolling for the first time in a district.

  • Copy of birth certificate, or transcript from a previous school district.
  • For foster children, a copy of the court order placing them in state custody.
  • Proof of residence, like a utility bill, bank statement or signed lease.
  • Districts may request a Social Security number, but can’t deny enrollment on this basis.
  • Vaccination records.

In the case of homelessness or other hardships, districts can waive these requirements.

Sending your kid to kindergarten

Parents enrolling their kid in kindergarten will need to fill out ages and stages questionnaires from the Kansas State Department of Education. 

The questions help the school assess kindergarten readiness and indicate if changes are needed in the state’s pre-K programs.

Don’t be afraid to be honest. The answers don’t affect eligibility for kindergarten, which in Kansas is optional anyway, but highly recommended. School is mandatory starting in first grade.

The questions are simple. For example:

  • Can your child use at least five words to show where things are?
  • Does your child know at least five letter sounds?

Depending on the district, parents can fill out the form in person or online. 

At Wichita Public Schools, the forms must be filled out in person. They are available in Spanish and Vietnamese, and translators are available for other languages.

Enrolling older students

Procedures for older students vary widely by school district. Below is a rundown of districts around Wichita and how to enroll.

Wichita Public Schools

First day: Wednesday, Aug. 14, for most students. New middle and high school students must attend a half-day orientation on Tuesday, Aug. 13. 
Pre-K/kindergarten: Parents and students must report to the local school. 
Other new enrollees: Enroll online or in person as needed.
Returning students: Enroll online.
Contact: 316-973-4000
Other: Students who don’t live in the Wichita district but want to go there can apply to enroll — there is no deadline. Anyone who enrolls after the first day will likely get a seat. 

Derby Public Schools

First day: Wednesday, Aug. 14.
Pre-K/kindergarten: Report to the local school. 
Other new students: Report to the local school. 
Returning students: Enroll online.
Contact: 316-788-8400

Andover Public Schools

First day: Wednesday, Aug. 14.
Pre-K/kindergarten: Fill out the intent to register form, then follow steps to enroll. 
Other new students: Fill out the intent to register form, then follow steps to enroll. 
Returning students: Enroll online.
Contact: 316-218-4660

Maize Unified School District 266

First day: Wednesday, Aug. 14.
Pre-K/kindergarten: Report to the enrollment center at 201 S. Park in Maize.
Other new students: Report to the enrollment center.
Returning students: Enroll online. 
Contact: 316-350-2050

Goddard Public Schools

First day: Monday, Aug. 12
Pre-K/kindergarten: All students enroll online.
Other new students: All students enroll online.
Returning students: All students enroll online.
Contact: 316-794-4000

Valley Center Public Schools

First day: Tuesday, Aug. 13, except grades 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 returning kids who start Aug. 14
Pre-K/kindergarten: All students enroll online.
Other new students: All students enroll online.
Returning students: All students enroll online.
Contact: 316-755-7000

Haysville USD 261

First day: Wednesday, Aug. 14, except grades 7-8, 10-12 returning kids who start Aug. 15
Pre-K/kindergarten: Report to the local school. 
Other new students: Report to the local school.  
Returning students: Enroll online.
Contact: 316-794-4000

MARCUS CLEM is the former education reporter at The Beacon in Wichita. He is a veteran newspaper and television journalist. He is a two-year member of the Education Writers Association.