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 was 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. Wichita Falls ISD ended the choice program for all schools beginning with the 2015-2016 year.[1]
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 two schools with the International Baccalaureate program, covering two segments of the program:
- 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.[2]
General information
School board
- The Wichita Falls ISD is overseen by a Superintendent (Michael Kuhrt), an Assistant Superintendent (Currently Vacant), 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 Dale L. Harvey.
Enrollment
- There are approximately 14,590 students in grades K-12 as of October 2013.
WFISD staff
- 1,923 total staff members
- 1,019 teachers
- 667 auxiliary/paraprofessional staff members.
- (Wichita Falls ISD is the second largest industry in Wichita Falls behind Sheppard Air Force Base)
Teacher experience
- Average Years Experience - 12.9 years
- Average Years Experience with WFISD - 10.8 years
- 31.9% of WFISD Teachers Have 11-20 Years Experience
Budget
- 2005-2006 $88,026,794 (includes debt service, maintenance & operations, campus activity funds, special revenue funds)
- Tax rate per $100 valuation: $1.56
Facilities
- 20 Elementary Schools
- 1 Early Childhood Center
- 3 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
Schools
Elementary schools
- Ben Milam Elementary - Principal Ana Griffiths
- Brook Village Early Childhood Center - Principal Christina Henry
- Burgess Elementary - Principal Ann Pettit
- Crockett Elementary - Principal Kory Dorman
- Cunningham Elementary - Principal Ashley Davis
- Fain Elementary - Principal Clarisa Richie
- Fowler Elementary - Principal Jeff Hill
- Franklin Elementary - Principal Angie Betts
- Haynes Northwest Academy - Principal Dee Forney
- Jefferson Elementary - Principal Peter Braveboy
- Lamar Elementary - Principal Lori Heskett
- Scotland Park Elementary - Principal Laura Scott
- Sheppard Elementary - Principal Cindy Waddell
- Southern Hills Elementary - Principal Naomi Alejandro
- Washington Jackson Academy - Principal Stephanie Phillips
- West Foundation Elementary - Principal Kim Smith
- Zundy Elementary - Principal Shane Porter
High schools
- Hirschi High School - Principal Doug Albus
- Rider High School - Principal Dee Palmore
- Wichita Falls High School (Old High) - Principal Debbie Dipprey
Alternative schools
- Carrigan Career Center - Principal Synthia Kirby
- Denver Alternative Center - Principal David Anderson
- Harrell Accelerated Learning Center - Principal Gena Woodard
Junior high schools
- Barwise Leadership Academy - Principal Cody Blair
- Kirby World Academy - Principal Dr. Troy Farris
- McNiel Junior High - Principal Tania Rushing
Support staff
- Carrigan Technology Support - CIO Shad McGaha
Defunct schools
- Reagan Junior High School – became Wichita Falls ISD Administration Building
- Booker T. Washington High School (closed 1969, became Washington/Jackson Math/Science Center)
- Booker T. Washington Middle School (closed 1970)
- Travis Elementary School
- Holland Alternative School
- Austin Elementary (closed 2008)
- Bonham Elementary (closed 2008)
- Fannin Elementary (closed 2008)
- McGaha Elementary (closed 2008)
- Sam Houston
- Alamo Elementary
- Barwise Junior High
- Zundelowitz Junior High
- - Barwise and Zundy were combined in 2014 and renamed "Barwise Leadership Academy".
References
- ↑ http://www.texomashomepage.com/news/local-news/wfisd-school-board-approves-plan-to-modify-school-choice-program
- ↑ "2009 Accountability Rating System". Texas Education Agency.