In January 1876, a one-acre plot was sold by Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Scully to the township for $15. According to “A History of Wichita Public School Buildings,” this parcel became the site for OK School, part of County School District No. 5. The initial schoolhouse, a modest white frame structure, saw A.H. Maxwell conducting a three-month term in 1877.
I could not find much info on OK Elementary, but using O.K. School in a search on newspapers.com, the first mention I found was in December 1885. Most references were to a meeting of some sort at the school.
So where did the name OK come from? According to “A History of Wichita Public School Buildings: A History of Wichita Public School Buildings,” No one knows exactly. One rumor is that it was named for a man whose first name could have been O.K. Another is that it could have been named for the township which may have been known as OK at that time.
In case you are wondering, The origin of “O.K.” traces back to the 1830s in the U.S. It’s believed to have started as a playful abbreviation for “oll korrect,” a humorous misspelling of “all correct.” The term gained popularity and eventually evolved into the widely used “O.K.”
In 1924, the original structure was dismantled, making way for a new building featuring two rooms and a basement. The evolution continued in 1930 when widow Sarah A. Sprankle generously donated more land to the school district. This contribution led to the expansion, introducing four classrooms, an auditorium, a kitchen, and restrooms.
The Sprankles were peach farmers. David Sprankle died in 1911. The family left peaches at the Wichita Beacon, and on August 29, 1917, the editors wrote, “The fruit editor declared them to be among the finest specimens of peaches seen in this city this season.” I found another Eagle story that the Sprankles’ 31-year-old son, Charles, died of pneumonia at Ft. Riley on December 11, 1918. Sarah lived until 1944. She was 92.
The Sprankles are buried at Maple Grove Cemetery. David’s stone was covered and I could not get it clean so his picture is from findagrave.com
Another Eagle article on September 18, 1921 noted that peaches were sent to the St. Louis World’s Fair. The article didn’t say how Kansas fared but at the end it mentioned Oklahoma’s display saying, “she has just as fine fruit in her exhibit as any state in the union…. surely putting her in the front rank for statehood, and show that she is worthy of the honor of being admitted.”
In 1948, the school underwent further expansion with the addition of a new auditorium, an office, two restrooms, and four classrooms. The growth continued in 1952, introducing six classrooms and two restrooms in the west wing.
The school’s administrative status changed in 1956 when it became part of the Wichita school system. This shift led to a district division, redirecting some students to Bryant and Garrison while retaining others at OK.
Significant renovations occurred in 1964, creating an outer office, principal’s office, nurse’s room, and teachers’ lounge. The library also underwent expansion and remodeling in 1967, incorporating a multimedia center to enhance teaching technology.
In November 1974, Wichita citizens approved a $30 million bond issue, facilitating improvements at OK School. The funds contributed to the construction of six new classrooms, restrooms, a commons area, and an extension to the library. Construction concluded in August 1976, with the new facilities operational for the 1976-77 school term.
Courtesy: The Wichita Eagle
According to the Wichita Eagle article on December 5, 1981. “Everything’s OK! After 105 Years School Has Song.” The school never had a song. Music teacher Mary Jean Linnebur, “decided an alma mater was something OK couldn’t do without.”
Courtesy: The Wichita Eagle
OK’s sixth graders were divided into groups and tasked with finding a melody and creating lyrics. Five songs were chosen, and then a school-wide vote picked the winner. “Panthers at OK” took the top prize using Henry Manicini’s “The Pink Panther” theme.
In the 2002-03 school year, OK Elementary expanded with the addition of a new wing. This brought 10 new classrooms, a computer lab, a full-size gym, and a new kitchen. Notably, all rooms in the building were equipped with air conditioning.
Continuing the transformation, the old gym and a wing with outdated classrooms were demolished during the summer of 2005. A new front to the building was then constructed. The new and improved OK Elementary was celebrated on September 17, 2002.
To visit some of the other Wichita schools check out Be True To Your School.