Springfield Scholars

Program Description

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

The Phelps Center for Gifted Education will ensure the exceptional needs of all gifted learners are addressed through the development of complex reasoning, creative thinking, and affective processing skills.

Our Vision

As a statewide leader in gifted education, the Phelps Center for Gifted Education aspires to build an empowering learning community that prepares students, parents, and educators by developing potential, capacity, and advocacy.

Syllabi

Prospective Students

Applications for 2026-2027 prospective Scholars students are due October 3, 2025. Applications for second round consideration are due December 1, 2025.

Scholars Information Slideshow

Scholars Application Information and Process

September 5, 2025 -- APPLICATION PROCESS BEGINS

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

September 18, 2025 -- Scholars Informational Meeting

A Scholars Informational Meeting for all interested 5th grade families is scheduled for 5:30pm in the Phelps Center Cafeteria.

September – October, 2025 -- IQ ASSESSMENTS

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

October 3, 2025 -- 1ST ROUND APPLICATION DEADLINE

Application deadline for first round consideration is due to the Phelps Center by 3pm on Friday, October 3, 2025.

October 6 - 9, 2025 -- NNAT & SCAT ASSESSMENT WINDOW AT THE PHELPS CENTER

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

Monday, 10/6, Tuesday, 10/7, Wednesday, 10/8, or Thursday, 10/9.

All OTHER applicants will circle one of these dates listed on the Scholars application.
- Due to limited space, guardians will drop off their student for NNAT and SCAT Testing by 8:00am and pick them up in a 10:15am carline.

November 21, 2025 -- SELECTION & NOTIFICATION

The Scholars Selection Committee will meet to review all applicants prior to November 21, 2025.
Notification letters will be mailed to all Scholars applicants on Friday, November 21, 2025.

December 1, 2025 -- 2nd ROUND APPLICATION DEADLINE

Scholars applications will NOT be accepted or considered after December 1, 2025.

December 5, 2025 -- ENROLLMENT PROCESS DEADLINE

Prospective Scholars students must complete all three steps of the enrollment process by Thursday, December 5, 2025 at 3:00pm:

Turn in signed ENROLLMENT FORM to the Phelps Center.
Complete an online IMMEDIATE TRANSFER. (Instructions will be provided.)
Schedule one full SHADOW DAY at Central High School. (Instructions will be provided.)

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

December 5 at 3:00pm will be dropped and forfeit their placement in the Scholars program.

January, 2026 -- 2ND ROUND CONSIDERATION

Second round consideration of applications received between October 3, 2025, and December 1, 2025, begins in January.