Wichita students transition to new schools as year begins

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Mead Middle School will have about 700 students this year after taking in about 200 that would have gone to Jardine, which closed in May of 2024.

Principal Jacob Henning says they had some extra classrooms last year, and they have converted all possible space into an office or classroom. They have hired about 12 additional staff members to accommodate the new students.

“At first, it’ll feel like a few more kids, but the district was great,” Henning said. “We have the teacher allocation to handle those, so we were able to keep our class sizes relatively similar.”

He says he is thankful his school stayed open.

“We’re happy to be open. We’re happy to welcome our new students and our new staff, so they’re coming to a great place with a great faculty,” Henning said.

Principal Henning says he expects everything to go smoothly.

“It’s just the hallways will be a little bit more full, but our staff does a great job of being out in the hallway, making sure that students are walking on the right-hand side,” Henning said. “It’ll just be a little bit more full it’ll be fine.”

Jamie Park has a student going to Mead this year and is concerned about the influx of students.

“There’s a lot of students here. I’m not sure how it’s gonna work out, but I’m hoping that it works out for the best,” Park said. “My son has autism, so the noise is awful for him.”

Kayacht Reese-Blackman also has a student going to Mead and says as long as her child’s education remains the same, she’s unconcerned.

“If they got enough teachers to fill the spots and fill the gaps for these children and get their education, I don’t have a problem,” Reese-Blackman said. “As long as the teachers are providing what they need, the children are safe, the children feel safe, I’m going to feel safe if my daughter tells me she’s safe.”

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