Our School

History of North High School

     The walls of Wichita North High school contain the history of Kansas in steel and stone.  The building was a reflection of a small community that started in the 1860s with members of the Wichita tribe moving to the area and military personnel that were sent to the area for protection of other settlers. A schoolhouse was built to serve 14 students on the site where North High School now sits.

     The site became the city's second comprehensive high school in 1929 when the population grew too large to be housed at East High School. The architects decided on a Modern American style for the building and Bruce Moore, a local artist, was asked to design the decorative elements of the building's exterior. All the decorative elements point to the story of the Wichita people and the pioneers who founded this area. The school opened with an enrollment of 800 students and 40 faculty members.

     Today, the school boasts an enrollment of 2200 students in grades 9-12 and 150 staff members. Many of the school's beloved traditions are still observed as new ones are made. See the traditions section of this site to see all the amazing things in which the students participate. 

 North has had fifteen principals: 

Mr. Grover Dotzour 1929-33 ?1937-41 

Mr. L. W. Brooks 1933-37

Mr. O. E. Bonecutter 1941-45 

Mr. C. E. Strange 1945-68

Dr. John Gasper 1968-77 

Dr. Paul Longhofer 1977-84 

Dr. Robert Anderson 1984-86 

Dr. Cliff Muci 1986-88 

Mr. Mel Johnson 1988-90 

Dr. Ralph Teran 1990-98

Mr. Roel Quintanilla 1998-2003

Ms. Denise Wren 2003-2006  

Mr. Sherman Padgett 2006-2018

Ms. Lori Doyle 2018- 2020

Ms. Stephanie Wasko 2020-2022

Mrs. Kristina Murray 2022-present

 

Wichita North High School continues to grow and change as needs arise. As the school approaches its 100th birthday, it still a staple of the Wichita community that inspires pride in all who attend.