School History

ABOUT SUNFLOWER

Sunflower Elementary School was built on land that is part of the Wakarusa River Valley. 

The area on which the school currently stands was originally inhabited by tribes of Native Americans, the most recent of which being the Kansa and Osage.

In 1830, the land was deeded to the Shawnee Indians. Beginning in 1854, European Americans and African Americans settled in the area. During the 1850’s and the Civil War era, the area was part of the free state versus slave state battles fought in Kansas. Following the Civil War, farms covered the land where Sunflower Elementary sits today.

At the time the school was being planned in the late 20th century, the site was covered with sunflowers. Given the sunflower's nature as Kansas's state flower and its significance within Kansas history, it was deemed appropriate to name the new school, "Sunflower."

Sunflower officially opened its doors for the 1994-1995 school year.