Brooks Technology and Arts Middle Magnet School

Technology is integrated in to the class room at Brooks.  We have a strong Student Technology Leadership program, TV production, and the opportunity to work with both Mac and PC.

Performing and visual arts are central to the school’s focus. Brooks offers three bands, three orchestras, three choirs, and art.

The Brooks Leadership program, similar to JROTC at the high school level, is an excellent elective class for all grades. Over 140 students are enrolled in Leadership and learn citizenship, history, respect for the flag and country, and community service.

Achievement Highlights

Exit I-135 at 21^st St. Go east on 21^st to Hillside. Go north on Hillside to 27^th. Go east on 27^th six blocks to Brooks. See Maps for all USD 259 locations

Brooks Technology and Arts Magnet is a safe, respectful environment for our community of lifelong learners.

1. Students will communicate in an effective, organized and grammatically correct manner appropriate to situation and topic.
2. Students will increase mathematics skills in problem solving, concepts and computation.
3. Students will use technology as a tool for learning.

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: First Tuesday of the month
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Brooks Magnet Library
Chairperson: TBA

Brooks Magnet offers the most comprehensive technology program for middle level students in the region. All students have access to technology in every room in the building. Seventh and eighth grade students may enroll in Advanced Multimedia classes or TV Productions.

Students with reading difficulty are enrolled in a dedicated reading intervention class, Read 180.

• School website named as a Discovery School featured site
• Leadership Academic League Champions, 2001-2002
• Nationally recognized staff members including a National Board Certified teacher and teachers listed in Who's Who
• More than 200 multimedia computers with student and staff access from every classroom and all four technology labs
• Closed circuit student-produced television station that broadcasts everyday
• Award winning Leadership program
• District has provided all teachers a PC on their desktop to enhance communication, assist with attendance and support technology in the classroom
• Both Boys and Girls Basketball Teams were undefeated, 2003-04
• Student Technology Leadership grant implemented for 2005-06
• Brooks awarded $35,000 technology grant by district to support Science curriculum 2005-06
• Student Technology Leadership students recognized at 2005-06 state conference

Student Activities

Brooks Junior High School began its first year of operation in 1958. The official enrollment for the first year was 489 students. Formal dedication of the building was held on Sunday, November 2, 1958. The building was named for L.W. Brooks who was a principal of three high schools in Wichita. He was the first director of secondary education and also was an acting superintendent of schools. In 1944 he was elected the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Preliminary studies were made to determine educational requirements of the area to be served. Planning was carried out with particular attention given to site development. Glenn E. Benedick was the architect and Martin K. Eny Company was general contractor. The design of Brooks School was unique in that the natural typography was retained and used as an asset rather than a liability in the development.

Definite separation was maintained for pedestrian traffic, automobile traffic, service areas and playground areas. Outside student gathering areas were developed with the most desirable orientation from the standpoint of access, weather protection and flow ino the building facilities. Parking for 160 cars was provided adjacent to the facilities used by the public, and adjacent to the center of the building. Color was used to the fullest advantage inside the building to provide a cheerful and inspiring atmosphere for the students and teachers. The architect gave a great deal of attention to creating a feeling and atmosphere in the building conducive to alertness and learning.

Building capacity was originally established at 725 students. Enrollment increased steadily each year, and two portables were added in 1964. An additional four portables were required to meet enrollment needs for 1965. Enrollment in 1966 reached more than 1,000, and four more portables were needed. In subsequent years the enrollment leveled off at approximately 950.

In the fall of 1988, all ninth graders were moved to high schools leaving seventh and eighth graders. In the fall of 1989, all junior high schools became middle schools (6-8).

Sixth graders were admitted into the newly established magnet program for the 1991-92 school year. The themes were global education, science and technology, and foreign language. Each year thereafter, the students in the magnet program moved to the next grade and a new sixth grade class was established until the entire student body was made up of students whose parents had made application for them to attend Brooks. Students were randomly selected for admission. Originally there were to be 750 students in the magnet program. Enrollment was increased and in 1994-95, 842 students were attending Brooks.

From A History of Wichita Public School Buildings, c 1997