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Emerson Open Magnet, established in 1975, is the oldest magnet in the Wichita Public Schools. Our magnet continues to offer a creative, informal, open approach to learning for all-day kindergarten through fifth grade friends (students).
At Emerson, learning is a process of exploring and experiencing shared by all; teaching is the organization and presentation of information in ways that are meaningful to each unique child. Each student's curiosity is respected and encouraged. We value children experiencing education, not just learning information. Emerson friends leave with a love of learning that benefits them for the rest of their lives. The success of our open approach depends on individuals taking responsibility for their actions and decisions. Emerson emphasizes a sense of community and sustains it in a caring environment.
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Achievement Highlights
Excellence For All - Basic School
We adhere to the writings and ideas of the late Ernest Boyer, Commissioner of Education during the Carter Administration and founder of the Basic School Network. The "Basic School" complements the "Open School" philosophy of excellence for all. Both philosophies affirm as their central mission that every child has the right to a quality education, that high academic standards must be set, and that every child can, and will, succeed in ways that reflect his or her own aptitudes and interests.
To achieve excellence for all, we use the four components of the Basic School:
- Community - Emerson is a place where parents, teachers and students work together to promote learning
- Curriculum - Emerson staff instructs students using district and state standards. "How to learn" is as important as "what is learned."
- Climate - Emerson is committed to serving the whole child, acknowledging that a student's physical, social and emotional well-being also relate to learning.
- Character - Emerson emphasizes the seven core virtues of respect, responsibility, honesty, giving, self-discipline, perseverance and compassion.
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Directions
Exit I-235 North at North Meridian. Go south on Meridian/Womer/Amidon/McLean to 15th St. (The street changes names four times from I-235 to 15th Street North). Go west on 15th St. three blocks. Emerson is on the north side of street. See Maps for all USD 259 locations.
The address at Emerson is 2330 West 15th Street. Emerson is located near the intersection of 13th Street and Mc Lean Blvd. It is two blocks north of 13th Street and four blocks west of McLean Blvd.
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Mission
Our mission at Emerson is to ensure that learners have the necessary skills to become independent thinkers who make responsible choices.
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Campus Improvement Program
Reading
83% of our intermediate students will attain a level of proficiency or above, as indicated by the state reading assessment. The gap between all defined minority groups and Caucasian students will be reduced by 10%.
Math
84% of all intermediate students will attain a level of proficiency or above as indicated by the state math assessment. The gap between all defined minority groups and Caucasian students will be reduced by 10%.
Writing
78% of all students will be proficient or above, as indicated by the state writing assessment. The gap between boys and girls not passing will be narrowed by 25% in the traits of organization and conventions.
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Site Council Information
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.
Meeting Day: Meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month.
Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Location: Emerson library
Principal: Matt Snodgrass, (316) 973-9250
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Programs
- All-Day Kindergarten 8 a.m. - 3:10 p.m.
- Service Learning
- Ernest Boyer's Basic School Framework
- Character Education using the seven core virtues of self-discipline, compassion, respect, responsibility, giving, honesty and perseverance
- School-aged childcare before and after school
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Student Activities
Open Hearts and Open Minds
At Emerson, we encourage our friends to engage in acts of servitude. We incorporate service learning methods into our already strong curriculum. Service learning is a teaching method that combines meaningful service to the community with curriculum-based learning. Research has shown that service learning is a powerful strategy for teaching and learning, which allows young people to deepen and demonstrate their learning and at the same time develop a strong sense of civic responsibility. Service learning adds a critical fourth "R", which stands for responsibility, to the three R's of education.
Staff and friends select service projects throughout the year to incorporate in their various curricular studies. We at Emerson feel service learning can be summarized by the ancient saying:
"I hear, I forget. I see, I remember. I do, I understand."
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School History
Emerson, originally known as the Second Ward School, has a long and varied history. Apparently, the first building was of frame since records show that a frame building was moved to the Third Ward for part of the "Old Washington School" when a new brick building was constructed in 1880. The four-room structure cost $7,900 and was located at the corner of Central and Water. Enrollment increased, and two rooms were added in 1883 and two more in 1889. On February 4, 1889, the name of the school was officially changed to Emerson in honor of Ralph Waldo Emerson, the famous American essayist and poet.
On June 2, 1919, the Board of Education purchased a tract of land at the corner of Central and Waco on which to construct a new Emerson Elementary School. Cost of the site was $20,000, and construction cost for the three-story building was approximately $100,000.
Over the years the district became highly commercialized, and the enrollment dropped until it was no longer financially feasible to maintain the attendance center. Emerson was closed on June 3, 1963, and for several years was used for storage purposes. On January 4, 1965, the building was leased to the City of Wichita for use as a Police Academy. The building was used for this purpose until June 30, 1973.
In response to requests from school patrons, the school was reopened for the 1975-76 school year as Emerson Open Alternative School. The enrollment for the first year was 144 in grades kindergarten through eight. The school emphasized the open educational approach to learning, and enrollment was entirely voluntary.
The Emerson building was closed at the end of the 1984-85 school year and the building and land sold to the City of Wichita. It has since been demolished and the site is now a parking lot for City employees. The Emerson program moved to the closed Garrison Elementary School at 2330 W. 15th for the start of the 1985-86 school year, and the building renamed Emerson Elementary School. In 1989, all junior high schools became middle schools (6-8), and elementary schools housed K-5 students. Emerson maintains an enrollment of 250 K-5 students.
The staff and parents of Emerson petitioned the administration to become a teacher governance model school at the start of the 1993-94 school year, operating without a principal. Teachers, with the help of other staff and parents, operate the program.
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.
Emerson received a new addition that includes a multipurpose room and kitchen. The district utilized Architectural Development Svcs. LLC and Rainbow Construction Co. to complete the Bond project remodel and addition for the amount of $1,559,100.
Emerson's Bond dedication ceremony was held on September 23, 2004. Top
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