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North High School students are immersed in a tradition of academic excellence. The Administration and Faculty, with support of the community, has taken the initiative to re-organize into Smaller Learning Communities. The intent is to provide an environment that fosters academic achievement and student connectedness, as well as career exploration. North represents one of the most diverse populations in the city and we celebrate everyone’s differences. As a comprehensive high school, North offers a full range of core and elective courses, including several advanced placement courses. Students may enroll in the Biomedical and TV production programs, which are unavailable at other high schools.
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Achievement Highlights
North's close proximity to the Arkansas River offers several unique opportunities for students. The river has become an outside laboratory for the science department. The North Environmental Water Team has won several awards at the state and national level for their efforts in reducing pollution in the Arkansas River. North is one of the most diverse high schools in the state of Kansas, with a rich mixture of ethnic and socioeconomic groups. The curriculum is diverse, also, and students are able to select from beginning level courses to Advanced Placement courses offering the opportunity for college credit. Top
Directions
Exit I-135 at 13th St. Go west on 13th St. past Waco. North High is one block west of Waco at Rochester. See Maps for all USD 259 locations. Top
Mission
The mission of the North High School Community is to prepare all students with the knowledge and skills to grow into productive and responsible members of society. Top
Campus Improvement Program
- Reading
- Writing
- Problem Solving
- Attendance and Graduation
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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 Days: Sept. 14, Oct. 5, Nov. 2, Dec. 7, Feb. 1, March 1, April 12
and May 3.
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: North High Library
Co-Chairpersons: Terri Rounds, 207-1836 and Laura Sherard, 941-9172 Top
Programs
Biomedical - Special Program
The Biomedical program is a comprehensive high school curriculum that focuses on medical and technology-related health careers, such as physician, medical technician, nurse and nurse assistant. Through science courses, students learn chemistry, biology, physics and technology with emphasis on medical terminology and medical fields. Experiences in research, field studies and environmental monitoring of local conditions are an integral part of this program.
TV Production - Special program
Students with an interest in broadcasting will receive hands-on experience in writing, producing, taping and editing video programs about classroom, extracurricular and community activities. The TV Production program allows students to build communication, technical and team skills while producing programs for broadcast. Using North’s in-house studio and editing systems, students produce two shows, “North Focus” and “North Exposure,” which air on the Wichita Public School’s cable channel. The program is endorsed by KAKE-TV and the Elliott School of Communication at Wichita State University.
Auto Technology Center (ATC)
Students with drive and ambition for the automotive field will receive hands-on experience in an automotive lab. Through real world applications, North students will foster growth in an industry-driven world. The Automotive Technology Center prepares students for career opportunities by networking with local businesses and working towards achieving Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification.
AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination)
AVID is a four-year regularly scheduled elective college preparatory class for disadvantaged students with academic potential. Both teachers and tutors are trained to use specific teaching methodologies and materials to work with these students. AVID students will experience support through study groups and individual work, with assistance in all academic areas. Lessons are also offered in note taking, study skills, test taking, time management, SAT and college entrance/placement exam preparation, effective textbook reading and library research skills. Students receive extensive help in preparing college applications and financial aid forms. In addition, on-going home contact and a Parents’ Advisory Board are vital to the success of the program.
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Student Activities
Other programs offered:
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
A program consisting of courses in English, Science and Math, which are designed for students whose native language is not English.
National Urban League Incentive to Excel and Succeed (NULITES pronounced new lights)
Works to prepare middle school and high school students for college enrollment and to educate parents to participate and assist students to achieve educational goals. This innovative program uses various incentives to motivate students to increase or maintain their academic performance and leadership skills.
Career College Center (CCC)
Helps students with post-secondary opportunities such as scholarships, financial aid and ACT.
The Wichita Public schools offer a comprehensive interscholastic athletic program for high school students. For more information click here to go to the Athletic website. Top
School History
"A history of Kansas, written in steel and stone," was a phrase that was used to describe Wichita High School North when the building was first completed in 1929. However, the history of North truly had its origin many years before the land was purchased and the building construction began in 1928. The Indian theme used throughout the design of the building is more than a matter of choice - the Indian was responsible, indirectly, for the founding of North High School.
The original design of North High, constructed 80 years ago, did not include the West classroom wing, the old auto shop, or the girls gym. The original building was much smaller then and built around an open courtyard with the west side open to the river. When North was built, the west and east sides of the river were heavily wooded. Most of the original, beautiful trees along the river are gone today. The distinctive architectural detailing established by Glen Thomas (the original architect), using a Native American theme, has been cherished by the Wichita community since North opened.
Bruce Moore, an artist who graduated from Wichita High School North, designed the decorative portions of the building exterior. Using his knowledge of the site's history, Mr. Moore used a pioneer/Indian theme for his design. He constructed the original small-scale figures of plaster. Full-sized figures were then made and arranged to tell a story of pioneer days; the Indian chief, scout, hunter, and teepee represent the Indians in the story; the buffalo, eagle, plowman, sunflower, and state seal symbolize the early pioneers.
When North opened in 1929, it had an enrollment of 800 students and forty faculty members. Mr. Grover Dotzour was the first Principal at North. North has had twelve principals.
1929-1933 and 1937-1941 Mr. Grover Dotzour
1933-1937 Mr. L.W. Brooks
1941-1945 Mr. O.E. Bonecutter
1945-1968 Mr. C.E. Strange
1968-1977 Dr. John Gasper
1977-1984 Dr. Paul Longhofer
1984-1986 Dr. Robert Anderson
1986-1988 Dr. Cliff Muci
1988-1990 Mr. Mel Johnson
1990-1998 Mr. Ralph Teran
1998-2003 Mr. Roel Quintanilla
2003-2006 Ms. Denise Wren
2006-present Mr. Sherman Wm. Padgett
There are very few buildings in Wichita that have the historical significance of North. We are fortunate that the community, as part of the 2000 Bond Issue, allocated significant funds to preserve and upgrade this important landmark.
As enrollment has increased and programs added, North has been expanded and modified many times. In the 1950s, an auto building, girls gym, and the west three-story classroom wing were constructed. These additions, unfortunately, cut off the views of the river to the west. During the 1970s, the original courtyard was filled in with a windowless library and the PE/athletic complex was expanded. When the ninth graders were moved to North High in the 1980s, the third floor cafeteria was converted to classrooms and part of the lower level west wing turned into a snack/cafeteria space.
Increases in enrollment at North necessitated a number of additions to the building: the auto mechanics shop (1950), girls gymnasium (1951), and in the fall of 1957, the three-story extension on the south wing. During this time, it was also necessary to use the annex buildings to accommodate classes. By 1972, thirteen annexes were in use. In 1975, North was allocated 1.7 million from from a bond issue. The funds were used to add a library, classrooms, provide extensive renovation of science classrooms, offices, a woodworking room, add an extension to the small gymnasium, improve both the boys' and girls' physical education dressing rooms and shower areas, and a number of other improvements and/or additions made it possible to remove all but three annex buildings. Acquisition of land across from the school in 1977, 1980, and 1982 has enabled the school district to provide ample student parking. Several senior classes have donated funds each year to be used to purchase a marquee sign for the student parking lot. The marquee is used to highlight student activities and provide recognition for worthy accomplishments of students.
When planning began for the recent expansion renovation, our community planning team had several aesthetic goals in mind.
- The design should be sympathetic with the original architecture
- Add natural light into the library
- Create a new courtyard similar to the original
- Engage the river and improve the west side visual image
- Preserve the Rochester street side of the building (as is)
- Upgrade science, art, business, music, cafeteria, classroom
and administrative space
Our design includes a classroom wing along the river that provides new science labs, new music classrooms, and general classrooms. By relocating the auto tech and metals programs across the street, the new KIVA courtyard was created where auto mechanics used to be. The old metals labs were converted to art space. The new cafeteria addition to the South gives students a commons area for lunch and space for programs or other large group activities. The 1970s library was completely remodeled and a raised clear story added to let light into the center of the library. A lecture room was added for North High students and USD 259 school board use.
One of the most popular renovations is the adding of air conditioning. The old heating system was replaced with a new system that heats and cools the building. The old restrooms have also been updated, most classrooms improved and technology updated throughtout the building.
"As architects for the North High renovation, the challenge of adding onto a cherished Wichita landmark was daunting. Finding a balance between 21st century needs and 1920's historical architectural design provided the greatest test. With the tremendous input of North High staff and community members, I believe we successfully added space along the river and 13th Street without detracting from the original design."
(Data for the North High history was obtained from the writings of Bob Boyer '54, Marsha Kifer '64, Bob Tosing, Sr., Dr. John Gasper, Dr. Paul Longhofer, and Kenton L. Cox '60, Schaefer Johnson Cox Frey Architecture, Project Manager, and a number of community and school publications.)
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