s drawn by a student. In the late 1970s, a $2 million football stadium was built.

In 1985, South High athletic director C. Elmer Carpenter died and the football
stadium was named in his honor. Also, in the 1980s, Sims Elementary, which was
situated just a few hundred feet from the eastern end of the school, closed. South
began using the old elementary school for the language arts department.

The school went up to 2004 without any major changes. In 2003, the school board
approved a construction project to connect the main building of South to the "Sim
Building" (as students and faculty called it), the project also added two new
hallways and 20 new classrooms. The project began in early 2004 and was finally
completed a year later in 2005. Also added to the school, from the same bond issue,
was a baseball field that opened for play in 2007.

In 2008, another bond issue was passed by the Wichita School Board to create "equal
athletic facility opportunities" for all Wichita high schools. South's share of the
bond issue was $10 million, which was used to put a new floor on the gym, buy new
equipment for the school's weight room, improvements to the school's tennis court,
and renovations to Carpenter Stadium including putting in Fieldturf on the field
and new goalposts, as well as resurfacing the track.

On October 24, 2011, the Wichita School Board approved a $14.2 million bond issue
to build a new 2,400-seat gym, a new practice room for the wrestling team, a
walking track, and new locker rooms, as well as a new swimming pool, music suite,
new pottery studio, art space, digital photography classrooms, a culinary arts room
and a room devoted to its new fire science program that started in the 2011�2012
school year.[8]
Student demographics

Wichita South's 2008�2009 enrollment was 1,617 students. The demographic breakdown
of the population is as follows: 55.6% of students are white, 19.6% are African-
American, 13.9% are Hispanic, 2.7% are Asian, 4.1% are American Indian, and 4.2%
are multi-ethnic. As of 2008, 59% of South's students, due to a low-income family,
qualified for reduced lunches. The student-teacher ratio is 22:1. South teachers
had an average of 7 years of teaching experience as of 2008. Additionally, south
high employed 114 certified classroom teachers, 61 of whom hold master's degrees.
The drop-out rate in 2007 was 7%, compared to a district average of 4%. The
graduation rate for 2007 was 67.7%, compared to a district average of 76.4%.[9]
Athletics

South is a member of the Kansas State High School Activities Association and offers
a variety of sports programs. Athletic teams compete in the 6A division and the
Greater Wichita Athletic League and are known as the Titans. Throughout its
history, South has won 26 state championships in 7 of its 19 varsity sports, the
majority of which are from the boys' and girls' basketball teams and girls'
gymnastics teams.
Facilities
Field Sports using Field Surface Notes
Carpenter Stadium Football, Track, Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer Fieldturf
Named for former South AD who died during his tenure, also used by Southeast,
East, and North football teams[7]
Tim Milsap Field Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer Grass Only used during the
annual soccer tournament, the Titan Classic, named for South High alumni who was
killed in the Iraq War[7]
South High Gymnasium Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Wrestling, Volleyball
N/A New gym finished in 2013
South Field Baseball Grass Opened in 2007[7]
Seneca Bowl Boys Bowling, Girls Bowling N/A Public Bowling alley used by
school for practice and home meets
Rivalry with West
South's Primary rival is Wichita West. The rivalry is widely known across Wichita
among fans and local media as one of the fiercest and bitter high school rivalries
in the area. The origin of the rivalry is unknown. During sporting events between
the two schools, fights often occur during the event between the two teams and even
in the stands, and in the parking lots after the events. Extra security is often
present by the Wichita Police Department at the request of the Wichita School
Board.
Basketball
Boys

South High fielded the most dominant high school basketball team in Kansas for
almost 30 years, winning 15 state championships in that period of time, including 4
straight in 1978, 1979, 1980, and 1981. Coach Steve Eck led South High to 10
consecutive Wichita City League titles from 1986 to 1996. During Eck's tenure, he
coached two Mr. Kansas Basketball award winners.[10]
Girls