The top reported proficiency rate is 42% in English language arts. The lowest is 23% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Chisholm Trail Elem
Chisholm Trail Elem is an elementary school serving preschool through fifth grade in Park City, a northern suburb of Wichita, Kansas. It is part of the Wichita school district, one of the state’s larger systems. The school sits in a community that has grown noticeably in recent years, with new logistics infrastructure including a large Amazon fulfillment center and an expanding population. Park City is auto-oriented, with no traditional downtown, and its residential neighborhoods are spread along highway corridors.
The student body is moderately sized for an elementary school, with a substantial share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals. The racial and ethnic makeup is predominantly white, with Hispanic students comprising the next largest group, followed by Black students and a smaller share of multiracial students. Data on students with disabilities and English learners were not available from the provided records, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about how it supports those populations.
State testing results from the 2024-25 school year are available for grades three through five in math and English language arts, and for fifth grade in science. In every tested subject and grade, the share of students scoring proficient or above was well below the midpoint when compared with other districts in Sedgwick County. Math proficiency rates were in the low to mid twenty percent range, while English language arts ranged from the mid-thirty to mid-forty percent range. Fifth-grade science proficiency was also in the low twenty percent range. The assessment changed its cut scores recently, which means direct comparisons to prior years are not reliable, but the current picture shows a school where most students are not meeting state benchmarks. This is a soft spot worth examining further with the school, particularly around its instructional strategies and support for students who are not yet on grade level.
Because Chisholm Trail serves only through fifth grade, there is no graduation rate to report, and no data on chronic absenteeism or discipline were included in the available information. The absence of these metrics means a parent cannot evaluate those aspects of the school environment from this record alone.
The housing market in the area is relatively affordable compared to national benchmarks, with home values and rents below the national typical. The local unemployment rate has been stable, around four percent, and real median household income nationally has been roughly $83,000, which provides some context for the economic conditions families in the area may face. The high rate of poverty among the student body, as indicated by the large proportion qualifying for meal assistance, suggests that many children come from households with limited financial resources.
No recent district-level changes were found in the search, so it is unclear whether Wichita is implementing any new academic initiatives or facility investments that might affect Chisholm Trail. The school itself does not appear to be a charter or magnet, and its governance is standard for a traditional public elementary school in Kansas.
For a family considering this school, the core takeaway is about academic performance. The proficiency numbers are low relative to county peers, and the poverty rate is high. A parent looking for strong test scores may want to explore other options in the area or ask the school what specific interventions and enrichment programs are in place. For a family who values a neighborhood school setting in a growing suburb and is comfortable working with the school to support their child’s learning, Chisholm Trail may still be a reasonable fit, particularly if they are able to supplement instruction at home or through community resources. Without additional data on class sizes, teacher experience, or special programs, the picture remains incomplete, and a direct visit or conversation with the principal would be worthwhile.
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