top of page
_B3A6090.jpg

Love Schools

How it
Works

We Listen.

Our work starts by meeting with building leaders to learn the State of the School. They share their wins, their opportunities and their hopes for the future. Working together, we develop two goals for the year, unique to the needs of each school.

1

We Connect.

Once goals have been set, we identify potential partners. Each school has at least one financial partner making a gift of a minimum of $10,000 and two or more community partners, sharing their time and talent.

2

We Collaborate.

Community is at the heart of our work. We bring our partners together with building leaders and develop a plan. By connecting the community to the classroom, we solve problems and make progress towards goals.

3

We Sustain.

·Creating connections is only the beginning. We walk alongside each school and their partners for the entire school year. We do monthly follow-up work to make sure partners are staying on track to help their school reach their goals, and evaluations each semester to track progress and meet goals.

4

Together, We Change Lives.

With 80% of students living in or at risk of poverty, by sharing your time, talent and treasure, you’re showing students and staff you care.

 

Building relationships is at the core of this partnership, and we can’t wait to see what we create together.

5

AY2024-25_Mead_Art02.jpg

How We Pick our Schools

Wichita Public Schools has 50 elementary schools, and our goal is to be in each school by the 2029-30 school year.  

​The work of Love Schools began in 2021 when the nonprofit was created to serve our most vulnerable students. Schools were brought on when principals and community members requested support. We will continue our program in these first 12 schools and expand to new schools based on the percentage of students receiving free/reduced lunch. If you would like to inquire about your school’s participation, email BWilson5@usd259.net  

Get Involved

Join our growing community of champions for Wichita Public Schools. Email Program Specialist, Brandt Wilson at BWilson5@usd259.net to learn more and get involved. 

School Logos-01.png

Benton Elementary

​

Goals

  •  Increase student attendance from 91% to 94% by May 2026.

  • Increase student achievement recognition 

  • increase and maintain staff morale 

 

Partners

Financial Partner:

  • Mel Hambelton Ford 

 

Community Partner:

  • Life Church West Wichita

  • Central Community Church

  • Rolling Hills Community Church

  • Pathway Church Westlink Campus

  • Grace Point Church

School Logos-02.png

Buckner Elementary​

​

Goals

  • Improve Reading Comprehension scores in 3/4/5th grades by 5%. Improve Reading Fluency scores in K/1/2 by 5%.

  • Decrease suspensions (improve social skills) by 20-25% by implementing Restorative Circle Time and a mentoring program for students. (Belonging)

 

Partners

Financial partner:

  • Mahaney Group 

 

Community Partners:

  • Tabernacle Bible Church

  • St. Mark United Methodist

  • GoCreate

  • WSU Connect

  • Boys and Girls Club

  • Wichita Collective impact

  • Downtown YMCA

School Logos-08.png

Caldwell Elementary

​

Goals 

  • Improve chronic absenteeism from 34.48% to 20% using proactive relational and belonging measures by May 20

  • Improve the overall feeling of culture and belonging amongst staff and students from 84% to 92% using proactive relational and belonging measures by May 2026.

 

Partners

Financial Partner:

  • Commerce Bank 

 

Community Partners:

  • Morningstar Community Church

  • Wichita Public Schools Administrative Office 

  • Christ’s Church

  • Life Church – East Wichita

School Logos-03.png

Enterprise Elementary

​

Goals

  • Increase average daily attendance from 91.8% to 93.4% by May 2026.

  • Increase the % of students meeting proficiency on 3rd grade Reading from 29% to 32.6% by May 2026.

 

Partners

Financial Partner:

  • Weber and Associates

 

Community Partners

  • South YMCA

  • Care Portal

  • P1

  • Pathway Church Westlink

  • IMA

  • Bethel Life Center

School Logos-04.png

Griffith Elementary

​

Goals

  • Increase staff morale and connectedness to increase staff retention and belonging

  • Provide student incentives and enhance connections with students and families.

 

Partners

Financial Partner:

  • Griffith is currently looking for a financial partner (put this on the website please)

 

Community Partners:

  • Heartland Credit Union

  • ZAIK Church

  • Rhoden Roofing

  • Harlow Aerostructures LLC

School Logos-07.png

Hamilton Middle School​

​

Goals

  • Increase academic achievement by providing positive incentives to motivate students to self-monitor and meet schoolwide TARGET goals in the areas of attendance, behavior, grades, and engagement.

  • Enhance staff morale by implementing regular celebrations, meaningful recognition, and personalized incentives that acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our team, fostering a positive and motivating school culture where staff feel valued and appreciated.

 

Partners

Financial Partner:

  • Fidelity Bank

 

Community Partners:

  • Neighboring Movement 

  • Hamilton is looking for additional Community Partners

School Logos-09.png

Harry Street Elementary

 

Goals

  • Increase daily attendance from 92.4% to 94% by May 2026

  • Increase percentage of students who feel safe and connected to school from 82% to 83% by May 2026. 

 

Partners

Financial Partner:

  • Fidelity Bank

 

Community Partners:

  • Neighboring Movement

  • Immanuel Baptist Church

  • Greater Harvest Church

  • Care Portal

School Logos-10.png

Jackson Elementary

 

Goals

  • Increase student attendance to the district goal of 98.3% by year’s end through targeted strategies such as student incentives, family outreach, and regular recognition of strong attendance.

  • Increase staff morale in the building by providing volunteers and tangible items to encourage and alleviate workload.

 

Partners

Financial partner:

  • Jackson is currently looking for a Financial partner

 

Community Partners:

  • Cornerstone Christian Church

  • Central Christian Church

  • Wichita Federal Credit Union

  • Keycentrix

  • North YMCA

  • His Helping Hands

  • Vima Church

  • Cochener Garvey

School Logos-05.png

Kelly Elementary 

 

Goals

  • Improve adult regulation/staff morale through intentional practices throughout the year as measured twice a year (fall/spring) by either the Love Schools survey or another item created.Blah

  • Enhance student opportunities for connections within their community as measured by reflection questions after activities

 

Partners

Financial Partner:

  • Hoidale

 

Community Partners:

  • Mosaic Church 

  • Farmers Insurance 

  • South YMCA 

  • Metal Arts 

  • Care Portal 

  • Mid American Credit Union 

School Logos-15.png

Lawrence Elementary 

 

Goals

  • Collaborate with community partners to support programs that enhance student safety and belonging.

  • Engage community partners to support staff well-being and boost school culture through appreciation efforts, wellness initiatives, and collaborative events.

 

Partners

Financial Partner:

  • Super Car Guys

 

Community Partners:

  • Discover Church 

  • Friends University 

  • Meridian Baptist Church 

  • Douglas Ave Assembly of God 

  • Central Community Church

School Logos-06.png

Linwood Elementary

 

Goals

  • Empower our students academically and through student leadership.

  • Connect families to learning in the classroom.

 

Partners

Financial Partner:

  • McCown Gordon

 

Community Partners:

  • 1st Church of the Nazarene 

  • Heart of Christ United Methodist 

  • Linwood Recreation Center 

School Logos-12.png

Ortiz Elementary 

 

Goals

  • We will increase our average daily attendance (ADA) from 92.3% to 95% using proactive relational and belonging measures by May 2026. 

  • Increase literacy by using district measurements at each grade level.

 

Partners

Financial Partner

  • Camarena Adelante

 

Community Partners:

  • Ridgepoint Church 

  • His Helping Hands 

  • Balderas Legal 

  • Kansas Window Tinting 

  • Ambassadors of Dignity

School Logos-13.png

Spaght Elementary

 

Goals

  • Decrease Student Behavior through positive motivation of Den Dollars earned for following expectations

  • Continue to increase positive staff morale

 

Partners

Financial Partner:

  • Spaght is currently looking for a financial partner

 

Community Partners:

  • WSU Connect 

  • Wichita Collective Impact 

  • The Bridge Church 

  • Downtown YMCA

School Logos-11.png

White Elementary 

 

Goals

  • Increase Reading Proficiency by using district measurements.

  • Increase Teacher Recognition and Retention.

 

Partners

Financial Partner

  • Icon Structures

 

Community Partners:

  • McConnell Air Force Base 

  • Traditions Health 

  • Gracepoint Church  

School Logos-14.png

Woodland Elementary 

Goals

  • Decrease Chronic Attendance from 20.5% to 17% (Previous year goal was 38% to 25%).

  • Decrease Tier 2/3 office referrals from 143 to 130 by May 2026.

 

Partners

Financial Partner

  • Kansas Health Foundation

 

Community Partners:

  • Olivet Baptist Church 

  • Wichita African Union 

  • Salud Bienestar 

We LOVE Our Schools

Adams

Anderson

Benton

Buckner

Caldwell

Colvin

Dodge

Enterprise

Griffith

Harry Street

Jackson

Kelly

Lawrence

Linwood

Ortiz

Spaght

Stanley

Washington

White

Woodland

​

What We Believe

Love Schools is now a part of the Wichita Public Schools Foundation. We are committed now more than ever to connecting the community to the classroom because our schools are only as strong as the community supporting them. We believe in the power of community; we love our schools, and we hope you do too. Using a one size fits one approach, we meet each school where they are and walk alongside them to reach their goals.  

bottom of page