Walton Rural Life Center was an agricultural charter elementary school in

Walton, Kansas Walton is a city in Harvey County, Kansas, United States. It is named in honor of one of the 19th century stockholders of Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the population of the city was 2 ...

, United States,Murphy, Kevin (2013-02-16)
"Farm Theme Boosts Enrollment in Rural Kansas School."
''Reuters.com''. Retrieved 2016-04-24.Meyer, Gene (2013-06-05)
"At this Kansas school, Ag Leads the Lessons."
''HarvestMedia.org''. Retrieved 2016-04-24. and operated by

Newton USD 373 Newton USD 373 is a public unified school district headquartered in Newton, Kansas, United States. The district includes the communities of Newton, North Newton, Walton, McLain and nearby rural areas. Schools The school district operates th ...

public school district. During the 2015–2016 school year there were 210 students at Walton Rural Life Center. It taught students from kindergarten to 4th grade and there were two classes for each grade. In 2023 the Newton Board of Education voted to close the school due to declining enrollment in the district.

History

Walton Public Schools provided elementary, junior high, and high school education for decades before it merged with

public school district. In 2006, the Walton Elementary School was converted into the Walton Rural Life Center charter school.

Academics

Walton Rural Life Center was one out of two charter schools that is agriculture-based, the other one being a school in Ohio. Walton Rural Life Center also taught its students about math, science, agriculture, reducing, reusing, and composting. Walton Rural Life Center was the first public elementary school in the United States to add agriculture to its curriculum. The teachers design projects based on subjects that interest the students. Math, science, and agriculture were the main concepts studied. Instead of reading from a textbook, students experienced hands-on learning. The school had farm animals, and Kindergarten through fourth graders took turns doing chores and feeding the animals. For example, the students gathered eggs, cleaned them, and checked them for cracks. When this was all done, they sold the eggs and decided what to do with the money they earned. The school also had a greenhouse where the students grew flowers, plants, and vegetables.

Film

Using Agriculture to Spur Achievement : The Walton 21st Century Rural Life Center, 2011, U.S. Department of Education filmed a documentary at the Walton 21st Century Rural Life Center charter elementary school in November 2010. The crew also interviewed farm families, teachers, students, and community members. The resulting video was featured on their website, highlighting the center as a best practices model of innovation in education.

References

External links

* {{Official website, http://w-usd373-ks.schoolloop.com
USD 373
school district for Newton, North Newton, Walton
USD 373 School District Boundary Map
KDOT ;Articles

- Hutchinson News - February 12, 2017
Murky future: Walton school
- The Kansan - February 2, 2017
Editorial: Walton needs a little love
- The Kansan -January 28, 2017 Schools in Harvey County, Kansas Public elementary schools in Kansas Defunct agricultural schools in the United States Agriculture in Kansas Defunct elementary and primary schools 2023 disestablishments in Kansas Educational institutions disestablished in 2023 2006 establishments in Kansas Educational institutions established in 2006