Pleasant Valley Elementary School

The Pleasant Valley School opened in 1881.  The small white frame building was located at 37th and Amidon.  According to “A History of Wichita Public School Buildings”, “the Pierpont estate gave part of the land for the school.” I could not find any information on the Pierponts.  There is a cemetery in east Wichita bearing their name.  But, thanks to the “Wichita History from My Perspective” Facebook group I learned the land was donated by the Pierpoints.  Mike Maxton added, “an addition in that name can be found on a plat map in 1953.” 

In 1922, a red brick building was built on the same site.

In 1948, the school board voted on the first phase of the South Pleasant Valley Elementary School building on 29th Street. The four-classroom building was completed in 1950.  About the same time, it was decided to add more rooms to the building.

With the development of the school on 29th Street, the old red brick schoolhouse on 37th Street was closed in 1950. The patrons in March 1958 again went to the polls and voted for $365,000 in bonds to build North Pleasant Valley Elementary on 37th Street. In 1973, when North Pleasant Valley was renamed to honor John and Anna Michener, the “South” was dropped from the name and the south building became Pleasant Valley Elementary School.  

Anna was a teacher, leader for social justice and civil rights.  John was a science teacher at East High. John started a credit union for teachers in his classroom at East. He would expand the credit union for other teachers and opened the Wichita City Teachers Credit Union. In 1974, the name was changed to Credit Union of America. Sherwood Glen Park sits on part of the property now.

In 1976, a new media center and a mechanical room were added, while the rest of the school was renovated.

In March 1997, Construction began on the addition of four classrooms, more restrooms, parking, and ADA Improvements.

The 2000 bond issue brought two new classrooms and a new student support space.