Wichita Falls Independent School District
Wichita Falls Independent School District (WFISD) is a public school district based in Wichita Falls, Texas, United States and is accredited by the Texas Education Agency.
Wichita Falls ISD serves most of Wichita Falls (including portions of Sheppard Air Force Base). Varying parts of north Wichita Falls are included in the City View Independent School District and the Burkburnett Independent School District.
The Wichita Falls ISD is one of the few Texas school districts to offer a choice program that gives parents the choice of what secondary school they would like their child to attend. While elementary school attendance zones exist, parents can opt out of these and send their children to one of the eight magnet schools in the district.
Secondary schools in the WFISD offer Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses to students wishing to pursue a more challenging academic curriculum. The WFISD currently operates four schools with the International Baccalaureate program, covering all three segments of the program:
- Lamar Primary Center and Washington/Jackson Math-Science Center offer the Primary Years Programme
- G.H. Kirby Math/ Science Junior High and Hirschi High School partner in offering the Middle Years Programme
- Hirschi High School, an IB World School, offers the IB Diploma Programme to juniors and seniors
The school district has continuously been recognized for its overall academic success from the Texas Education Agency and the Magnet Schools of America Association. In 1999 and 2001 respectively, Washington/ Jackson Math/Science Center and G.H. Kirby Junior High were awarded the Ronald P. Simpson award, giving them the title of "Best Magnet School in America" for a year. The district also boasts that many of its schools have received the Texas Blue Ribbon award or have attained "Exemplary" status from the TEA.
In 2005, Hirschi High School IB World Topics teacher Sherry Lindemann was named Texas Teacher of the Year where she represented the WFISD and thousands of Texas teachers at a formal ceremony held by President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush in the White House Rose Garden.
In 2009, the school district was rated "academically acceptable" by the Texas Education Agency.[1]
Contents |
[edit] General information
[edit] School Board
- The Wichita Falls ISD is overseen by a Superintendent (Dr. George Kazanas), an Assistant Superintendent (Dr. Timothy Powers), and a seven-member Board of Trustees who are elected either as at-large or district members. President of the Board of Trustees is currently Rev. Reginald Blow.
[edit] Enrollment
- There are approximately 14,759 students in grades K-12
[edit] WFISD Staff
- 1,357 professional staff members
- 667 auxiliary/paraprofessional staff members.
- (Wichita Falls ISD is the second largest industry in Wichita Falls behind Sheppard Air Force Base)
[edit] Teacher Experience
- Average Years Experience - 12.8 years
- Average Years Experience with WFISD - 10 years
- 31.9% of WFISD Teachers Have 11-20 Years Experience
[edit] Budget
- 2005-2006 $88,026,794 (includes debt service, maintenance & operations, campus activity funds, special revenue funds)
- Tax rate per $100 valuation: $1.56
[edit] Facilities
- 20 Elementary Schools
- 1 Early Childhood Center
- 4 Junior High Schools grades 7-8
- 3 High Schools grades 9-12
- 1 Career & Applied Technology Center
- 1 Accelerated Learning Center
- 1 Student Adjustment Center
- 1 Sports Complex - Memorial Stadium (Wichita Falls)
- 1 Administration Center
- 1 Support Center
[edit] Schools
[edit] High schools
- John Hirschi Math/Science IB Magnet High School - Principal Wanda Jackson
- S. H. Rider High School - Principal Judie McDonald
- Wichita Falls High School - Principal Kevin Shipley
[edit] Alternative Schools
- Carrigan Vocational Center - Principal Leah Ford
- Denver Alternative Center - Principal David Anderson
- Harrell Accelerated Learning Center - Principal Gena Woodard
[edit] Junior High Schools
- Joseph Barwise Junior High - Principal Linda Muehlberger
- G.H. Kirby Math/Science Junior High - Principal Larry Menefee
- 2001-02 National Blue Ribbon School [2]
- Joe B. McNiel Junior High - Principal Carol English
- Zundelowitz Junior High - Principal Linda Young
[edit] Elementary schools
- Alamo Elementary - Principal
- Ben Franklin Elementary - Principal
- Ben Milam Elementary - Principal Pat Baggs
- Bonham Elementary - Principal Joyce Shepard
- Brook Village Early Childhood - Principal Rose Partridge
- Crockett Elementary - Principal Cathy Rule
- Cunningham Elementary - Principal Christina Henry
- 2000-01 National Blue Ribbon School [2]
- Fain Elementary - Principal Clarisa Richie
- Fannin Elementary - Principal Dotsie Mergerson
- Fowler Elementary - Principal Tania Rushing
- Huey Montessori - Principal Dotsie Mergerson
- Jefferson Elementary - Principal Pat Page
- Kate Burgess Elementary - Principal Jackie Jacobs
- Kate Haynes Elementary - Principal Mickey Galyean
- Lamar Elementary - Principal Gail Anderson
- Sam Houston Elementary - Principal Omar Montemayer
- Sheppard Elementary - Principal Kim Meyer
- Southern Hills - Principal Joyce Shepard
- Washington/Jackson elementary - Principal Sandy Camp
- West Foundation Elementary - Principal Kim Smith
[edit] Support Staff
- Carrigan Technology Support - CIO Alan Sizemore
[edit] Defunct Schools
- Booker T. Washington High School (closed 1969, currently Washington/Jackson Math/Science Center)
- Reagan Junior High School (currently Wichita Falls ISD Administration Building)
- Booker T. Washington Middle School (closed 1970)
- Travis Elementary School
- Austin Elementary (closed 2005)
- Holland School
- Bonham Elementary (closed 2008)
- McGaha Elementary
[edit] References
- ^ "2009 Accountability Rating System". Texas Education Agency. http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/account/2009/index.html.
- ^ a b Blue Ribbon Schools Program, Schools Recognized 1982-1983 Through 1999-2002 (PDF)
