Clark Elementary School

Clark Elementary is a neighborhood school with approximately 325 students. The staff at Clark work very well together in order to provide student success both in and out of the classroom. We continue to learn new teaching strategies so that student achievement can be increased.

The class sizes at Clark are low with the help of additional teachers. We will have three kindergarten, first, and second grade classrooms, two and a half third grades, one and a half fourth grades, and two fifth grade classrooms. Currently, we have a morning and afternoon session of pre-kindergarten that includes a fully integrated Developmentally Delayed program.

Clark has recently been added to the Reading First grant that focuses on reading instruction in grades K-3. As part of the grant, we have two additional staff members that focus on reading instruction in those grades by working with staff. The goal is to have all students reading on grade level by third grade.

We also participate in the Title I School Wide Program which is designed to help schools with a higher number of students qualifying for free and reduced meals. With the additional funds that we receive, we are able to purchase equipment, supplies, instructional materials and personnel. An Instructional Coach is used to assist staff as part of the Title I program. In addition, a Parent Involvement Worker is provided to assist parents with ways to be involved in their child’s learning.

• Newly renovated library
• Small school atmosphere
• Computer lab with 26 new Gateway computers
• Wireless computer lab
• Dedicated and nurturing staff

Exit east Kellogg at Woodlawn. Go south on Woodlawn one block to Cottonwood. Go east on Cottonwood to Clark.See Maps for all USD 259 locations.

Clark Elementary, where our commitment to excellence means success for all!

1. All students will demonstrate effective written communication skills.
2. All students will increase reading comprehension across the curriculum.
3. All students will demonstrate competency in problem solving skills.

Each school has a site council, which is a group of parents, community members, business representatives, teachers and other school staff. Site councils identify, consider and discuss educational problems and issues at the school. Councils provide advice and counsel for evaluating state, school district and school site performance goals and objectives. Councils may also recommend methods that may be employed at the school site to meet these goals and objectives.

Site Council Meeting Day: Second Tuesday of the month
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Location: Clark Library

• School Wide Title I program
• Reading First grant
• Pre-kindergarten
• Developmentally delayed pre-kindergarten
• PTO/Site Council
• Full-time counselor
• Small class sizes

Student Activities

Jessie L. Clark Elementary School was opened February 9, 1953 with 212 children and six teachers. A new school, the pride of the community, was destined to grow for the next few years.

The school was named for Miss Jessie L. Clark, a pioneer in the Wichita Public School system. From 1887 to 1891, Miss Clark was the only traveling music teacher in the city, and in 1891 she became the first music supervisor for the school system. She held the position until her retirement in 1923. Miss Clark not only built an enviable reputation as a music teacher but was also recognized as a leader in civic music circles. In fact, present day musical Wichita owes much to this dedicated teacher.

An enrollment of 395 pupils in September 1953 made necessary an increase in the teaching staff to nine. In September 1954 there was a faculty of 14 with a steadily increasing number of pupils. By the end of that year 551 pupils were enrolled.

Four portable units were added for the 1955-56 term; 17 teachers taught the 615 pupils. The next year relief came when Stearman Elementary School opened, and the pupil enrollment dropped to 553.

In 1958-59 the decline in enrollment began; 478 pupils answered the September roll call, but only 345 were present in September 1959. In the following years enrollment declined again and the school was eventually paired with Booth Elementary. The two schools shared a principal but had grades K-6 on each campus. In 1990-91 Booth became an Early Childhood Center serving prekindergarten and kindergarten students and each campus had its own principal. Clark became the attendance center for students in grades 1-5 from the Booth attendance area as well as grades K-5 in its neighborhood. With this pairing, the attendance at Clark rose to 315 students in 1991. Following that year there has been a steady decline and it was decided to pair Clark and Stearman at the beginning of 1995-96 and share one principal because of low enrollment in each building. When this decision was made Clark was serving 245 students.

In the fall of 1967 temporary partitioning was installed in Room 115 to establish private areas for the school psychologist, nurse and speech clinician. A permanent addition consisting of a new media center, a multipurpose room, kitchen, rest rooms and an office was completed in 1976-77. The existing library was converted into two classrooms. The boiler was replaced in 1989.

In April 2000, the voters of the Wichita School District approved a $284.5 million bond issue. The projects began in the fall of 2000 and were completed over the next five years. The plan built 19 multipurpose rooms, upgraded science labs, replaced portable classrooms with permanent construction, improved handicap accessibility to all buildings, rebuilt five existing elementary schools, added a new elementary and middle school, expanded seven other elementary schools and provided nine new libraries as well as the expansion of nine others. Building infrastructure in 82 buildings was also upgraded, including the replacement of antiquated plumbing, updates and expansion of electrical systems, replacement of inefficient or broken windows and doors, upgrades of heating and cooling systems, and asbestos abatement when required.

Clark received a new addition including five classrooms and a new student support area. Agreements were made with Spangenberg Phillips Architecture and Simpson & Associates Construction Co. to complete the project. The remodel and addition cost $1,354,770. The Bond project dedication ceremony was held September 16, 2004.