College Hill Elementary School

College Hill, located in a well-established community in east-central Wichita, has an integrated curriculum focusing on the academic, social, physical and emotional needs of each student. We place special emphasis on teaching the state and district standards which align with the State Assessments.  Programs include block scheduling for reading and math, alternative instruction for reading and math, after-school tutoring, Cougar Club Service Organization and a School Age Program before and after school, and during the summer. College Hill has a very active Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and Site Council. The caring, friendly and dedicated teachers and staff work hard to ensure students succeed both academically and personally.

• Full Accreditation by the State of Kansas in February 2001
• Above the District and State average on State Reading, Writing and Math Assessments  

Exit east Kellogg at Hillside. Go north on Hillside to 1^st St. Go east on 1^st St. three blocks to College Hill. See Maps for all USD 259 locations.

The mission of College Hill Elementary School is to work in partnership with families and the community to empower students to become lifelong learners and contributing members of a diverse society.

College Hill School met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in all areas for the most recently reported State Assessments and additional required areas. Staff, parents and students all work very hard to ensure student academic success.

1. Reading – All students will improve reading comprehension skills with a specific emphasis on expository selections.
2. Writing - All students will improve writing skills.
3. Math - All students will improve problem solving skills and application of basic math 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. The current Council members determine meeting dates and times. The Council is strongly supported by parents and staff.

Day:  Second Thursday of the month
Time:  6 - 7 p.m.
Location:  Library

• Childcare program for elementary school children before and after school and in the summer
• Cougar Club Service Organization/Student Council
• Alternative Reading Program using State Intervention Grant
• Wireless and Standard Internet access in each classroom
• SMART Board Technology in several classrooms
• Arts Partners Grants for the past five years
• Strong Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) and School Site Council
• After-school tutoring in conjunction with Plymouth Congregational Church
• Mentoring program with Co-op students from Wichita State University
• Bal-a-Vis-X Brain-Body Integration Program
• Block Scheduling for Reading and Math Instruction
• Mobile Wireless Laptop Lab
• Traditional Computer Lab
• Gifted Resource Program
• Two Year $30,000 Technology Grant: 2004-2006
• Junior League $20,000 Library Grant: 2006-2007
• Interrelated Special Education Program
• Enrichment Programs
• Phonological Awareness Center with 1st Graders
• Full time Speech/Language Pathologist
• Full time Media Specialist
• Full time Nurse
• Full time Social Worker
• Music, PE and Art for all students
• Instrumental Strings offered to 5^th Graders
• Community Partner: Plymouth Congregational Church

Kindergarten

Pre-Kindergarten Program: None
Half Day Kindergarten: None
All Day Kindergarten

• Cougar Technology Club
• Art Day
• Field Day - Mr. May Day
• DARE Drug Awareness Resistance Education program at 5^th Grade
• Battle of the Books Literature Program
• Lunchtime Intramural Program for 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th grade students
• Cougar Cruiser Student Walking Club
• Annual 4^th Grade Campout
• Field trips to enrich curriculum

On August 5, 1889 the Wichita Board of Education received a petition from the residents of the College Hill area asking that a lot at the northwest corner of Clifton Avenue and Prospect (First Street) be purchased as a permanent location for a school building. One week later the Board voted to appropriate $4,000 to purchase the ground and $8,000 to build and heat a building at the proposed site. In December $6,280 was set aside as the specific amount.

The two-story stone building was completed and accepted on November 30, 1890. The building faced First Street and sat at the extreme west side of the school grounds. It was a two-teacher school and housed grades one through eight. According to Board minutes, a third teacher was added to College Hill at the beginning of the 1894-95 school term.

In October 1912 plans were adopted for a new building at College Hill, and in December of that same year a contract was let. Architect for the building was F.F. Parsons. Cost for the general contract was $41,050; heating, plumbing and sewer totaled $4,739.50; making the total project cost $45,789.50. This new school housed eight grades. The old original building was remodeled to accommodate home economics and woodworking classes for the seventh and eighth grades. The building became an elementary school in the fall of 1921 when the seventh and eighth grades were moved to Roosevelt Intermediate School. At that time the original building was abandoned, but was not torn down until 1927 when the College Hill PTA requested the grounds be beautified. The building was constructed for a capacity of 350 students. The addition of four portable units increased the capacity to 450.

In 1976 for the third time, a new College Hill School was constructed. The 64-year-old structure was razed to make way for a modern building with a capacity of 600 pupils. Griffith and Bonham, architects, designed and supervised the construction of the building at a cost of approximately $1,350,000. The new school was planned for completion in August 1977. During the interim year, fifth and sixth grade pupils were housed in portables located on the site, while other grades were located in houses adjacent to the site. These houses were purchased by the Board of Education with the intent of razing them to provide a larger site for College Hill.

At the beginning of the 1988-89 year, sixth grade students were incorporated into the middle school program, leaving a K-5 enrollment of approximately 450 students.

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.

College Hill received a new addition including four classrooms and student support, as well as improvement of the ramp that exits to the playground. The school district approved a contract with Descon, Inc. for $968,367 to complete the Bond project. The project dedication ceremony was held May 4, 2006.