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Wichita families
enjoy an impressive array of educational choices in addition to
the various public school districts. Fully 32 Catholic,
Christian, Lutheran, Independent and Seventh-day Adventist
schools, have been accepted as full members of the Kansas
Association of Independent and Religious Schools (KAIRS), based
on mission effectiveness, quality of academic programs, faculty,
and fiscal stability. The Catholic schools of the Diocese of
Wichita are considered to be among the finest in the United
States, earning national awards from the National Catholic
Educational Association in 1998, 2000, and 2001. Serving 10,400
students in 37 schools across Southeastern Kansas, the Diocese
of Wichita is the ninth largest school system of any type in
Kansas and the second largest in Sedgwick County.
Nineteen Catholic schools in Sedgwick County serve a population
unusually diverse in student ability, ethnic background, and
income levels. The Catholic Schools of Wichita were the first
and remain the only Catholic school system in the United States
to charge no tuition to active parish families. Anchoring this
highly regarded system are two superb high schools - Bishop
Carroll on the west and Kapaun Mount Carmel on the east. Bishop
Carroll is the largest non-public school in the region while
Kapaun Mount Carmel is the largest of the many outstanding east
side non-public schools. Both high schools are in the midst of
major efforts to renovate, upgrade, and expand facilities. A
variety of other religious schools serve Wichita as well. Two
elementary Lutheran schools - Holy Cross in east Wichita and
Bethany in south Wichita serve the community. There are two
Seventh-day Adventist schools - Wichita Adventist Academy, and
Three Angels. Several Christian schools are available: Trinity
Academy (9-12); Bethel Life (Pre-K-8); Central Christian Academy
(Pre-K-8); Calvary Chapel Christian (Pre-K-12); and Berean
Academy (K-12), the ldest Christian school in the area, is
located in rural Elbing, north of Wichita.
There is a Muslim school - Annoor Islamic School, with classes
for pre-school thru fifth grade, that is located in east
Wichita. Also, Wichita Friends School (K-6) is located in west
Wichita. The Independent School in east Wichita emphasizes
traditional liberal arts education that is usually found only in
gifted programs for average and above-average students. The
school guarantees small class sizes and individual attention to
the needs of the whole child, in any grade. With a rigorous
college-preparatory curriculum taught in small classes, Wichita
Collegiate School has built a statewide reputation for academic
excellence. Advanced degrees and broad teaching experiences
characterize the faculty. The school’s athletic, music and drama
programs have also won recognition for their scope and success.
Virtually 100 percent of Collegiate graduates go on to the
four-year universities of their choice.
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