Wichita schools expand community partnerships and pilot community‑schools model; STAR after‑school reading program grows

Wichita Public Schools this week described a widening set of community partnerships intended to boost kindergarten readiness, third‑grade reading proficiency and family supports, and officials said early signs from pilot sites are positive.

The district highlighted a partnership with Wichita Collective Impact that supports kindergarten readiness and third‑grade reading and noted an after‑school literacy program called STAR (Students Together After‑school Reading) at Spate Elementary. The district also reported the launch of a community‑schools pilot in seven buildings — Allen, Anderson, Colvin, Dodge, Spate, Stanley and Washington/Adams — where coordinators have been hired and needs assessments completed in English, Spanish, Swahili and Pashto.

Why it matters: District leaders said the model is designed to integrate academics, health and social services, expanded learning time, family engagement and collaborative leadership at the school level so that students arrive ready to learn and families can access supports tied to school sites.

What officials said and what they measured - Gil Alvarez, the district leader who presented the pilot update, said the approach ties partners together “so that students and families get what they need” and that the district has already begun developing partnerships and measuring early outcomes. - Sandy Kimball, representing the YMCA and STAR, described a three‑day weekly after‑school literacy program that combines literacy activities, snacks and games to build student interest and regular attendance; she said some children who started reluctant to read began volunteering to read aloud by midyear and that the program has expanded from a teacher‑recommended small group to open enrollment for all third graders at Spate. - At Stanley Elementary, Principal Amy Hart and Community School Coordinator Eric Inkmayer told the board the initiative is rooted in relationship building and has leveraged partners to meet family needs, including distribution of fresh produce with a nearby church, emergency family assistance through the nonprofit Gathered, and a newly created snack pantry for teachers. Inkmayer said Stanley’s overall building attendance sits at 93.5% with kindergarten, second and third grades already at 94–95%.

Partners and staffing: Presenters identified a coalition that includes the YMCA, Wichita State University’s Public Policy and Management Center (PPMC), Cargill and other local organizations. The district said all pilot schools now have community‑school coordinators on staff and are analyzing needs assessments to set building‑level outcomes.

Limits and next steps: Presenters emphasized early results and proof‑of‑concept rather than firm academic gains; several speakers and board members said expanded community involvement and sustained resources will be necessary to scale the approach. Board members were invited to visit pilot sites and meet coordinators.

Ending note: District leaders said they will continue to use needs assessments and partner coordination to refine services and measure effects on attendance and other intermediate indicators ahead of longer‑term academic outcome tracking.