Missouri’s State Board of Education tours SPS

Members of Missouri’s State Board of Education, the Missouri Commissioner of Education, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) staff and many education partners from around the state toured Springfield Public Schools (SPS) on Monday, Dec. 8. 

Joined by the SPS Board of Education, these special guests got an inside look at Launch virtual learning center, the Wonders of the Ozarks Learning Facility (WOLF), Hillcrest High School and the construction site of the new Reed Middle School. At each of these sites, students and district leaders were able to share what they love about SPS and why they believe it is The District of Choice. 

While at Hillcrest, SPS hosted two panel discussions about real-world learning and education in partnership with local universities. The first panel included current SPS students representing Fly SPS, Launch, SAAB, Hillcrest and the Alliance for Healthcare Education. The second panel featured the Grow Your Own and Future Educators programs with university representatives from the education departments of Drury, Missouri State and Evangel. 

The tour was scheduled in conjunction with the State Board of Education’s Dec. 9 meeting on the Missouri State University campus. The tour also supported the School Showcase Visits focus area for the school year, set forth by SPS Superintendent Dr. Grenita Lathan.