About Our School
From the Principal
Welcome to Robert M. Martin Elementary! Our school is named after a former principal who served the Andover community for several years. Like our students and staff, Mr. Martin believed in lifelong learning and helping others. The “new” Martin building was built in 2007, with the addition completed in 2018.
While Martin Elementary is the largest elementary school in Andover with over 515 students and 65+ staff members, it still feels like a family where teachers, parents, students, and all staff members work together and help each other. You’ll often see students visiting former teachers with birthday treats or just to say “hello” and get a hug in the mornings!
Besides classroom teachers, our staff also includes counselors, special educators, a speech pathologist, a reading specialist, a librarian, an extended learning (ELP) teacher, an English language (EL) teacher, a nurse, art teachers, music teachers, PE teachers, instructional aides, paraprofessionals, administrative assistants, custodians, health office staff, and food service staff.
Our mission statement really encompasses what we believe at Martin: “Robert Martin Elementary School is a safe, friendly community where learning is unique and fun; creating success for everyone!” Our teachers are continually looking for ways to challenge all students and cultivate long lasting relationships. We are a Capturing Kids’ Hearts school, which is a powerful process to help build meaningful connections between staff and students, students and peers, staff and families, and staff and colleagues. The philosophy of CKH is that in order to capture a kid’s mind, you must first capture their heart.
After students finish their 5th grade year at Martin Elementary, because students are on the north side of Andover, they move to Andover Middle School, and then to Andover High School.
Amy Petricek
Principal
History of Robert Martin Elementary
1959 Andover Elementary was constructed (11 classrooms, gymnasium, and office) at 1411 N. Main.
1966 12 more classrooms were added to Andover Elementary.
1987 9 more classrooms were added north of Andover Elementary (not connected to main building).
1988 11 more classrooms, a gym and a cafeteria were added to the 9 classrooms. This was named Andover Primary School for grades K-2 at 1413 N. Main. The other older section was named Andover Intermediate for grades 3-5 at 1411 N. Main.
1992 Robert M. Martin, principal of Andover Intermediate and Primary schools passed away.
1993 Andover Primary School, at 1413 N. Main, was renamed Robert M. Martin Primary. A new library, two classrooms, and a hallway to connect Andover Primary, Andover Intermediate and the cafeteria was built.
1997 A new middle school was built. All 4th-5th grade students moved to the old middle school at 1747 N. Andover Rd., which was named Andover Intermediate. The old intermediate was renamed Martin Primary South, located at 1411 N. Main. Two K3 centers were created. Martin Primary was renamed Martin Primary North, located at 1413 N. Main.
2000 A new elementary school was built (Sunflower Elementary) and all schools were reorganized to create four small K-5 schools. Meadowlark Elementary (1411 N. Main) was at the south end of Robert M. Martin Elementary (1413 N. Main). Cottonwood Elementary was at 1747 N. Andover Rd. Sunflower Elementary was at 616 E. Douglas. Andover Central Middle School (903 E. Central) and Andover Central High School (603 E. Central) were also added to our district near Sunflower Elementary.
2005 A bond issue for $39 million was passed to include the building of three new elementary schools.
2007 The district opened new Robert M. Martin Elementary at 2342 N. 159th St. East, Wichita, KS. Meadowlark Elementary (1411 N. Main) expanded into the old Robert M. Martin Elementary building.
2008 The district opened Wheatland Elementary (15200 E. 21st St., Wichita, KS) and Prairie Creek Elementary (654 YMCA Drive, Andover, KS). The Meadowlark Elementary (1411 N. Main) school was closed for renovations; Meadowlark students and staff members moved to Prairie Creek for one year, and temporarily called this school, “Meadowlark at Prairie Creek” which resulted in five operating elementary schools in the district.
2009 Most of the Meadowlark Elementary students and staff moved back to the old but renovated Meadowlark building (1411 N. Main). Many students from Sunflower and Meadowlark Elementary schools transitioned to Prairie Creek Elementary (654 YMCA Drive, Andover, KS), which resulted in six operating elementary schools for the district.