Metro-Midtown Alternative High School

Metro-Midtown Alternative High School has unique course offerings with individualized and personalized instruction. It is a school where a variety of teaching strategies are being used and counseling and instruction go hand in hand. Metro Midtown is a place where an environment of acceptance has been created and a practice of respect for differences is being emphasized. It is a school where students are given the freedom to make choices which in turn gives them a sense of family and ownership.

Metro Midtown offers courses in English, social studies, math science, art, family and consumer sciences, business, physical education and technology for high school credit. All classes deal with diversity,, conflict management, world and social issues, graduation standards and career guidance. Metro-Midtown also offers a student incentive program entitled Cessna Flying Colors and several intervention programs which are designed to help increase student achievement.

All graduation requirements meet state and district standards.

The staff and faculty have helped many students that could have fallen between the cracks of education to graduate from high school. Each year the overall student's GPA has increased. For example, in the spring of 2007 the beginning average GPA was 1.54 and the ending, 2.83 indicating a 54% increase. With 39% of the school population enrolled in the Cessna Flying Colors program $7,281.50 was earned with a 58% increase in the GPA while logging in 303 community service hours. For the last three years, students have made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in math and in the past year in reading as well. Of the 30 seniors enrolled last spring, 100% of those seniors graduated.

Northbound traffic on I-135. Exit at 9th Street. Go west on 9th street to St.Francis. Go South on St.Francis to Pine. Go west on Pine to Emporia, Metro-Midtown is on the south side of the street.

Southbound traffic on I-135. Exit I-135 at 9th Street. Go west on 9th Street to St. Francis. Go South on St. Francis to Pine. Go west on Pine to Emporia. Metro-Midtown is on the south side of the street.

See Maps for all USD 259 locations.

The mission of Metro-Midtown Alternative High School, where diversity is valued, is to provide all of our students a unique opportunity to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to become lifetime learners through personalized instruction that is aligned to meet the district standards. It is their belief that they have the responsibility to help their students to become productive citizens in a global society. To do this, its instructors, as highly qualified instructors, must continue to provide a safe, nurturing and productive learning environment, where every student has worth and dignity, and is entitled to equitable resources and services that allow them to become responsible citizens. The staff will work with parents, families, the community and businesses to achieve these goals.

The goal of the SIP is help all students at Metro-Midtown pass the required assessments in the areas of math, reading and writing, at both the district and state levels.

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: Frist Tuesday of every other month
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Metro-Midtown
Chairperson: Ms. L. Swanson, 316-973-6352

Metro-Midtown has been adopted by the Cessna Aircraft Company in Wichita, and has developed The Cessna Flying Colors Program. This incentive program rewards students for academic success, good attendance, community involvement and staying drug-free.

Cessna also developed a special tutoring program at Metro-Midtown to help our students in the areas of math reading and writing. Throughout the year many employees at Cessna have stepped up to the plate in great fashion to help several of our students graduate from high school.

There are also several intervention programs offered to help students in the areas of reading, writing, and math. In addition, there are before- and after-school programs to aide in the success of our students.

Students are also encouraged to participate in an annual all-school prom held in the school's multipurpose room.

Metro-Midtown Alternative High School is housed in the old Webster Elementary School. Webster enrollment had declined to only 154 pupils by 1958, and a second administration building was needed.

The Board of Education decided to close the school for pupil attendance on October 17, 1958 with pupils going to Emerson and Park. When first becoming an administration building, it was known as the Curriculum Services Building. However, in 1971-72 when the Pupil Services Division moved there, the name was changed to Educational Services Building. In 1988 the district purchased buildings at 217-245 N. Water to house all administrative offices and the Educational Services Building was vacated.

In the fall of 1988, the building was remodeled for an attendance center again and was completed for Metro-Midtown to occupy by January 1989. Area One administrative offices were housed in the building until the summer of 1990. In the fall of 1990, remodeling was again underway to add three additional classrooms and a library to the growing midtown program. In January 1991 the classrooms were completed for occupancy.

The first year Metro-Midtown opened it had approximately 40 students housed at a temporary site at the old Alcott School at 3300 E. Murdock until remodeling was completed at 640 N. Emporia. Student enrollment climbed to 125 by the end of the school year and midtown graduated its first senior class of six students. Metro-Midtown maintains an enrollment of 200 and graduates between 50-55 seniors each year.

From A History of Wichita Public School Buildings, c 1997