Mueller Aerospace and Engineering Discovery Magnet

“Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow”

Beginning in the fall of 2009, Mueller will focus on an innovative program that teaches 21^st Century Skills through Aerospace and Engineering. Students will be taught through hands-on applications and develop problem solving, teamwork, global awareness, and critical thinking skills. Science concepts will be integrated throughout the curriculum via the collaboration of classroom teachers and our Science Teaching Specialist.

Our innovating program will engage students in the quarterly school wide themes of using technology in the implementation of science, engineering design, flight, and space and earth science.  Students will have access to technology rich projects through laptops, airliners, SMARTboards, clickers and a computer tech lab.  By having our own science lab and science teaching specialist, our students will be exposed to many hands-on projects focusing on our science rich magnet curriculum. These areas will increase student awareness of and access to scientific and technical careers that are in demand in our global society!

Our  program will be the only one of its kind in the state of Kansas, and will offer a unique opportunity for students through our partnerships with the Kansas Cosmosphere, Wichita State University Engineering and Education Department, the Society of Engineers, and STARBASE at McConnell Air Force Base.   The aerospace and engineering concepts will promote an environment that is excited about aerospace and engineering, along with preparing our students to become 21^st Century learners. 

Check out our fabulous website at:  http://mueller.usd259.org/ .   If you are interested in coming aboard and attending Mueller, please call the Magnet Office at 973-4464 to apply today!   

• 4th and 5th grade Lego-robotics Teams
• TEC Squad members that write and produce every week the "Mueller T.E.C. Star Broadcast."
• Mueller Bell Choir who performs city-wide for different community organizations.
• Active PTO and Site Council
• Standard of Excellence in 5th grade State Writing for 2007-2008, 5th grade State Math in 2006-2007, and 4th grade State Math in 2004-2005.
• $35,000 Technology grant with additional monies to support technology at Mueller.
• Full-time science instructor and science lab for hands-on projects

Exit I-135 at 21^st St. Go east on 21^st St. to Hillside. Go north on Hillside to 24^th St. Go west on 24^th St. four blocks to Mueller. See Maps for all USD 259 locations.

The purpose of Mueller is to provide a learning community that creates a safe, diverse environment where we value high expectations for student achievement and character development.

Vision

Mueller's staff members will continuously work together to create an atmosphere of quality learning and connectedness for our studetns. Our school will provide a foundation for academic achievement through quality instruction. We will actively guide students in learning that is relevant, challenging, and engaging. Aerospace and engineering concepts will be embedded throughout the learning process. Students will demonstrate mastery of real world concepts through rigorous application of educational standards. Mueller's curriculum will reflect continuous achievement through on-going classroom assessments that will provide instant feedback of student progress which will drive daily instruction. Mueller's learning environment will nurture a culture that is supportive while positively reinforcing an atmosphere that empowers innovation and creativity.

1. Mueller's goal is to increase our state scores in the area of reading.
2. Mueller's goal is to increase our state scores in the area of math.

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: One Thursday each month
Time:  6 p.m.
Location: Library

PTO meets on the same day at 7 p.m. in the Library.

Childcare is provided for all families that attend.

• Lego Robotics and Bell Choir 
• Intramural Program at lunch increases students' physical activity levels
• School Field Trips allow teachers to extend learning beyond the classroom
• Family Fun Nights provide ways for parents to get involved with their children
• Special Music Programs focus on everyone's participation while learning vocal skills

The Mueller School District was established in 1952 to serve the educational needs of a new housing area in northeast Wichita. Hollobaugh-Bowers were the architects for the 15-room school. The adult population in the area consisted mostly of young married couples who had come from small towns in Kansas and neighboring states to work in the aircraft factories. The school population rose from 298 in 1952 to over 800 in 1958.

In 1962, the Wichita Board of Education announced that 140 black children from Isely Elementary School would be transferred to Mueller. A decision was made in 1963 to add a 19-classroom addition to the existing school plant. Skinner Elementary School was closed in 1964-65 because of the construction of Highway I-135, and a change was made in the Mueller boundary lines to include a major portion of the Skinner District plus a sizable area south of 21^st Street formerly in the Isely district.

As a result of these actions, the white population began an immediate exodus from the community. The number of vacant and abandoned houses in the area rose to over 200. After 1963, there was a tremendous turnover in school population. The large number of black pupils enrolled rose rapidly; the number of white pupils enrolled decreased at the same rate. By 1965, Mueller had become a predominantly black school.

To overcome crowded conditions at Mueller and to help integrate other elementary schools in Wichita in 1968, approximately 425 students were bused to 11 other elementary schools. In 1971, the Mueller district was included in the Assigned Attendance Area of the integration plan adopted by the Board of Education. Since that date, the ratio of 26 to 30 percent black pupils has been consistently maintained.

Mueller School was named for Charles P. Mueller, a Wichita pioneer and former president of the Board of Education. He was born in Williamsville, New York, June 13, 1862, and came to Kansas with his parents in 1867. His father had taken a soldier's claim near Lawrence; however, the family moved back to New York in 1874 because of the grasshoppers. Charles began work in a greenhouse in Buffalo, New York in 1875 and in 1882, he returned to Lawrence where he worked as a florist. He came to Wichita in 1883, again working as a florist, and in 1885, he started his own greenhouse. At the time of his death on November 24, 1932, his company was one of the largest floral establishments in Kansas.

Mr. Mueller was very active in civic organizations, a charter member of St. Paul's Methodist Church, one of the founders of the Wichita YMCA, and a member of the Rotary Club of Wichita. He was an organizing member of the Wichita Chamber of Commerce and served on its Board of Directors. Mr. Mueller was a member of the Wichita Board of Education from 1914 to 1926, serving as president when Wichita High School East was built.

At the beginning of the 1988-89 year, sixth grade students were incorporated into the middle school program, leaving a K-5 enrollment of around 475 with 30 percent black 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.

With the help of PBA Architects, P.A. and Sauerwein Construction Co., Mueller received an upgraded infrastructure and the library was expanded and renovated.

The Bond celebration was held at the completion of the project on February 10, 2004.