Beech Elem

As a large elementary campus in Wichita, Kansas, Beech Elem teaches 538 students from grades pre-K through 5, one of the schools within Wichita. Compared to the state average of about 313 students per school, that is 72% larger than typical.

Across the 87 schools in Wichita (47,545 students total), Beech Elem accounts for its share of the district's footprint.

In terms of who attends, Beech Elem logs that 38% of students identify as Black, with the remaining enrollment distributed across several groups. The remainder is composed of 25% Hispanic, 19% White, 10% multiracial, 7% Asian. The wider county runs roughly 8% Black, putting the school's mix meaningfully more Black than the area baseline.

On the income-and-resources front, On paper, Beech Elem has 39 full-time-equivalent teachers, translating to a class-load average of around 13.9:1. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 13.2:1, putting Beech Elem higher than the state norm the norm. Around 87% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, a commonly cited indicator of low-income enrollment. Set against Sedgwick County (around 63%), the school's rate is north of typical.

On a residual basis (actual vs predicted given the student mix), Beech Elem sits in the middle band of the BeatsExpectations distribution. Schools with this campus's student mix typically land near 20.7%; this one delivers 13.2%.

In the area at large, community-level numbers for Sedgwick County indicate median household earnings sit near $69,365, roughly 32% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the poverty rate sits near 10%. Beech Elem is one of 160 public schools in Sedgwick County (combined enrollment of about 84,569 students).

The closest other public school is Bostic Traditional Magnet Elem, roughly 1.2 miles away. Within five miles, there are 8 other public schools. Among the 8 schools in that immediate cluster with test data (this one included), Beech Elem ranks 6th on composite proficiency, below the local average of 31.2%.

The campus sits in a high-density setting.

Looking at the recent track record. Looking back 7 years, enrollment at Beech Elem has decreased 6%, going from 571 students in 2018 to 538 in 2025. The Black share of enrollment edged up from 30% to 38% over that span. Class-load math has fell: from 17.5:1 in 2018 to 13.9:1 in 2025.

Inside the community feed, the feed for Beech Elem typically covers sports schedules, lunch menu changes, and school spirit week. Anyone with firsthand experience at this school can post or comment.