The Springfield Scholars Program is a full-time educational service for highly gifted students in grades six through eight. This accelerated academic experience provides students with the opportunity to pursue areas of strength in a high school setting. Students enrolled in Scholars are taught by certified gifted faculty, as well as high school faculty, for high school credit. Springfield Scholars Program is part of the services provided by the Springfield Public Schools Gifted Education Program. Students who are eligible to receive gifted services and reside within the Springfield R-12 District may apply to the Scholars program. For more information, please contact the Phelps Center for Gifted Education at 417-523-3300.

Our Mission

To ensure challenging curriculum meets the exceptional needs of gifted students.

Our Vision

To be the statewide leader in gifted education by continuously demonstrating high levels of learning.

6th Grade

Communication Arts and Social Studies

Pre-Algebra

Algebraic Concepts

Science

7th Grade

Communication Arts

World Geography and American History

8th Grade

Humanities and Philosophy

Applications for 2025-2026 prospective Scholars students are due October 4, 2024. Applications for second round consideration are due December 1, 2024.

Scholars Information Slideshow

Scholars Application Information and Process

September 6, 2024 -- APPLICATION PROCESS BEGINS

• Applications are mailed to all families of 5^th graders who qualify for gifted services within Springfield Public School attendance area.
• Only students who reside in the Springfield Public Schools attendance area and qualify for Gifted Education services within the attendance area may apply to the Springfield Scholars Program.
• An informational slideshow link is located on the Phelps Center website SPS.org/Phelps.

September 19, 2024 -- Scholars Informational Meeting

• A Scholars informational meeting for all interested families is scheduled for 5:15pm in the Phelps Center Library.

September – October, 2024 -- IQ ASSESSMENTS

• Applicants will be scheduled for a WISC-V if previous testing occurred outside of 12 months.

October 4, 2024 -- APPLICATION DEADLINE

• Application deadline for first round consideration is due to the Phelps Center by 3pm on Friday, October 4.

October 7 - 10, 2024 -- NNAT & SCAT ASSESSMENT WINDOW AT THE PHELPS CENTER

• All ACTIVE WINGS students will test in the morning of their assigned WINGS day:

Monday, 10/7, Tuesday, 10/8, Wednesday, 10/9, or Thursday, 10/10.

• All INACTIVE applicants will circle one of these dates listed on the Scholars application.   

November 21, 2024 -- SELECTION & NOTIFICATION

• The SCHOLARS Selection Committee will meet to review all applicant scores.
• Notification letters will be mailed to all SCHOLARS applicants on Thursday, November 21.

December 1, 2024 -- 2^nd ROUND CONSIDERATION DUE

• Scholars applications will not be accepted or considered after December 1.

December 5, 2024 -- ENROLLMENT PROCESS DUE

Prospective SCHOLARS students must complete all three steps of the enrollment process by Thursday, December 5:

1. Turn in signed ENROLLMENT FORM to the Phelps Center.
2. Complete an online IMMEDIATE TRANSFER.  
3. Schedule one full SHADOW DAY at Central High School.

• Prospective students who have not completed all three steps of the enrollment by

December 5 will be dropped and forfeit their placement in the Scholars program.

January 2025 -- 2^ND ROUND CONSIDERATION

• Second round consideration of applications received between October 4 and December 1 begins in January.

Celebrations and awards will be updated on this tab throughout the school year!

Science Olympiad Regional Competition Results

Archery: Congratulations to Skylar Lee for qualifying for the State Archery competition.

MathCounts: The Scholars team won 1st place at the Regional MathCounts competition and 7 individual students qualified to go to the State competition.

Scripps Spelling Bee: The first Scholars spelling bee, in recent memory, was held on February 9. Seventh grader Severin Lwali won with the word “jejune”; Maha Babur (6th) and Dhruti Bandaru (8th) also placed; all three are eligible to compete in the regional bee. 

National History Day Results

Scholar Bowl: The Scholars scholar bowl team were champions in All-City tournament on 2/29. Jackson C. and Clara M. made the all-tournament team. In addition, they received plaques for first place on January 18, and Runner-up on both February 1 and February 29.