About Wright
School history
On November 11, 1954, Wright School opened its doors to its first 517 students. Originally built with 13 rooms, seven more were added before the building opened.
Wright was named as the result of an essay contest sponsored by the Cedar Rapids Gazette. A Franklin Junior High student, Paul Atherton, submitted the winning essay. He wrote, “Cedar Rapids should be proud to have had the Wright Brothers living in Cedar Rapids at the time they received, from a toy, their inspiration to fly. A building of learning named after these famous men should be an inspiration to any youngster.” The naming of the school corresponded with the 50th anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ first powered airplane flight.
The Wright brothers’ names were Orville and Wilbur Wright. Their first flight was 12 seconds long. Their longest flight was on December 17, 1903, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, and it was 59 seconds long. They were inspired to build an airplane by a toy helicopter their dad gave them.
Key Contact
A message from our principal
Welcome to the Wright family!
We’re so excited to have you join us on this educational journey. At Wright, we believe in creating a learning environment that puts students at the center, grounded in strong relationships with both students and families.
Our doors are always open, and we invite you to be a part of the vibrant, supportive community we’re building together. You’ll find a dedicated, caring, and energetic staff here committed to both the academic and social-emotional growth of every child.
We’re truly glad you’re here and hope you have a wonderful experience at Wright Elementary!