Though the term CHOICE was developed to communicate stakeholder input from the strategic planning process during the 2006-2007 school year, the process of meeting a variety of learning styles based on stakeholder input can be traced to past non-mandated program implementations such as the International Baccalaureate programs and is a priority within SPS as highlighted in Focus Area 1, Goal 3, Strategy 11 of the Springfield Public Schools strategic plan.  This focus area with the strategic plan highlights the power of collaboration with community partners and organizations to help enrich learning experiences for students.

Following the input of a community-wide strategic planning process during the 2006-2007 school year, the district’s strategic plan, SP5, was launched in August 2007.  Through the process of stakeholder input it was determined that programs related to workforce development, science and math, and more programs with academic rigor in general, were top priorities for the majority of our key stakeholder groups.  In addition, offerings in the area of fine arts and related specialized programs received significant support.  The past three Community Focus Reports have identified SPS Choice programs and community partnerships as education blue ribbons for Springfield.  In 2014, during a stakeholder feedback process, nearly 85% of SPS parents surveyed indicated that they would like to see more Choice programs offered.

In the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan choice programs will continue to play a part in creating success-ready students in our community by creating and/or maintaining well-rounded educational experiences for students and educators by partnering with business, industry, postsecondary institutions, and other entities. Below you will find a quick video that introduces the history of choice programming in Springfield MO. This video does not contain all programs, so if you are interested in learning more, please go to www.sps.org/choice to learn more about all the options for students in our district.