Answering your questions about the new Wonder School
The vacant building, constructed in 1953, is about 9,000 square feet, located near the police station and the credit union. The building hasn't been used for printing since 2010. In recent years, it has been used for storage and to temporarily house departments whose space was being renovated. The rear of the building has green space that will become a fenced play yard facing Innovation Campus.
The new school, called Wonder, will start with preschool and elementary-age children. Plans call for middle- and high-school programs to be phased in over time.
The school was founded by Annie Koch and Zach Lahn. It was publicly announced in an article Sunday, Feb. 4, in the Wichita Eagle.
Total launch costs for the new school are estimated at $1.5 million, including $1.1 million renovations to the building. Wonder is a non-profit supported by Annie and Chase Koch. There are no Koch Industries corporate funds being used.
There are no WSU student tuition or fees or other state funds being used for the renovation of the building or the operation of the school. Under a lease agreement between Wonder and the Wichita State Innovation Alliance, the new school will pay $90,000 a year to use the building.
The original Wichita Eagle article and follow-up stories have prompted hundreds of social media comments. Go to http://www.wichita.edu/wonderschool for some frequently asked questions.