Wayside

Built in 1959

Wayside Elementary Facade

An elementary school at 3000 Wayside Drive was built in 1959 in the Limestone Dependent School District for $125,080. Like Ranch Heights, it began with four classrooms, an all-purpose room, lunchroom, kitchen, teacher's lounge, and principal's office.

In 1962, the Limestone District was annexed into Bartlesville Public Schools. That same year, Wayside grew just as Ranch Heights had the previous year: a $240,620 addition added six classrooms, an auditorium, music room, and altered kitchen and lunchroom.

A 1983 bond issue provided $1 million for an addition, and five more classrooms were added to Wayside in a 1993 bond issue. A 1998 bond issue provided air conditioning in the gymnasium, and a 2000 bond replaced a major retaining wall behind the school and removed fabric and vinyl wall covering from interior walls, which were then textured and repainted.

In May 2007 a bond issue was approved that included seven new classrooms for the building and would improve parking and traffic flow for the site. In September 2007 the Bartlesville School Board approved a contract with Ambler Architects to provide architectural services to the District for the future addition. In December 2007 Boldt Construction, Inc. was contracted to provide construction management services for the project. During the summer of 2008, a new entrance canopy was installed as well as new heating and air systems, new ceiling tiles, made-over restrooms, and revitalized corridors. Classrooms were painted, cabinet work done, and the gymnasium received upgrades. Hallways had large signage for their grade level, and each room was equipped with an electronic whiteboard and projector.

In November 2009 the Board approved additional contracts with Ambler ($156,960) and Boldt ($170,722) for design and construction management of a new office area and new early childhood classrooms, forming two four-classroom pods clustered around an open commons area, which opened in August 2011.

In 2020 the electronic whiteboards and projectors in the classrooms were replaced with large touchscreen displays.

The school has grown to serve over 1/4 of the district's elementary students. Wayside now serves more students across Pre-Kindergarten through Fifth Grade than Central Middle School serves across grades 6-8 from the Wayside, Richard Kane, and Jane Phillips elementary schools.

Wayside's original entrance

Wayside's original entrance

Wayside in 1997

Wayside in 1997

Gymnasium and signage in 2009

Gymnasium and signage in 2009

Wayside entrance in 2009

Wayside entrance in 2009

Comparison of corridors before and after 2008-09 renovation

Comparison of corridors before and after 2008-09 renovation

2009 tour with Principal Richard Dennis

2009 tour with Principal Richard Dennis

2010-11 early childhood addition and offices

2010-11 early childhood addition and offices

2020 Blue Ribbon School

Wayside was named a Blue Ribbon School in 2020