Wichita Ends Choices Fair; Families Turn to Online
Wichita families exploring 23 magnet schools for 2027-28 will now compare programs through the district website and January visitation week.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Wichita Public Schools has discontinued its annual Choices Fair, an event held for more than 20 years at Century II where schools across the district showcased their magnet and special programs. Families seeking magnet options for the 2027-28 school year will need to use the district website and School Visitation Week in January instead.
Why it matters
For Wichita families choosing a school, the Choices Fair was a single afternoon to compare programs in person, so its end shifts that research to online resources and scheduled visits. District officials said they canceled it because they lacked data showing that the staff time and resources it required produced more magnet applications.
The Choices Fair was usually held in late fall at Century II and featured booths or demonstrations from schools across the district. Wichita offers 23 magnet schools, which are free to attend and include free bus transportation, with secondary-school applications due Jan. 29 and elementary applications due March 12.
The players
Wichita Public Schools (USD 259)
The Wichita school district operates 23 magnet schools and special programs and made the decision to end the Choices Fair.
The details
Schools from across the district had set up booths or demonstrations at the event, letting families compare programs side by side. District officials concluded they could not confirm that this expense of resources and staff time translated into more magnet applications, so they discontinued it. Families who want to explore options now can use the district's magnet information website or attend School Visitation Week in January.
Timeline
Two years ago, the district launched the Creative Minds Academy microschool.
The Choices Fair was typically held in late fall each year.
School Visitation Week in January is the district's replacement avenue for exploring magnet programs.
Secondary-school magnet applications are due Jan. 29.
Elementary magnet applications are due March 12.
The Home Front
The Choices Fair had been a fixture of Wichita school choice for more than 20 years, so its end marks a change in how the district recruits families into its magnet system. Families now rely more heavily on district websites and scheduled visitation events to compare schools.
If you are considering a magnet school, check the district's magnet information website and plan to attend School Visitation Week in January rather than waiting for a fall fair. Mark the Jan. 29 secondary and March 12 elementary application deadlines on your calendar.
The takeaway
Families comparing schools now need to start earlier and rely on the district's online resources and January visitation week. Calendar the Jan. 29 and March 12 deadlines so you do not miss the application window.
What happens next
Secondary-school magnet applications close Jan. 29, School Visitation Week runs in January, and elementary magnet applications close March 12.
Further reading
For more on how magnet and secondary options are structured, see Secondary Education coverage.
More information
Explore all 23 options on the Wichita district magnet programs information website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KMUW.
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