Olathe (Kansas) district will convert elementary school to K-8 alternative school

The Olathe (Kansas) district will close one of its elementary schools in 2026 and convert the campus to an alternative school for grades K to 8.

KSHB-TV reports that the school board has voted to repurpose Westview Elementary School as an alternative education center for the 2026-27 school year.

Westview's enrollment in 2024-25 was only 158 students; it has seen a 40% decline in enrollment since 2015. Meanwhile, the district has been looking for a site to house its new K-8 alternative education program.

"The district believes repurposing the campus would provide a fiscally responsible solution to address declining enrollment, as well as a valuable opportunity to create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment that serves all students in Olathe by repurposing the space to serve as the site of the district’s new K-8 Alternative Education program," the district says.