Colleges & Universities

The Springfield metro area—a top center for higher education in the state of Missouri—is home to more than a dozen colleges and universities and 42,000 students annually. Degree programs include science, business, technical, medical, farming and agriculture, hospitality, social services, and vocational ministry training. Curriculum in engineering, pre-med, pre-law, and architecture are also available.

Early education

Early Childhood Education (ECE) helps children from birth to 8 years old develop the emotional, social, and cognitive skills needed to become lifelong learners. There are numerous preschool, pre-K, Montessori, and preparatory schools available in the Greater Springfield Area. We recommend you search online for the most current list and read the consumer reviews. Here are several options worth noting.

To see below locations in a map view click here.

Montessori, Preparatory & Reggio Emilia Schools:

Preschools & Pre-K:

Faith-Based & college preparatory private schools

From laboratory schools to Christian classical collaborative education, Greater Springfield’s private and faith-based schools offer students a distinct approach to education.

Homeschool

Homeschooling is a legal option for any family in Missouri, and there is no enrollment or registration requirement. Parents can decide to homeschool and get started on the very same day or choose a collaborative approach. Missouri does have laws that families must follow once they are homeschooling. Visit Missouri Homeschooling Laws to learn about the recordkeeping requirements all home educators need to comply with.

There are many homeschool groups and coops to explore and choose from—here are two options to get you started:

Public K-12 School Districts

The Springfield five-county metro area is home to 26 school districts, including Springfield Public Schools—the largest fully accredited district in Missouri. Nixa, Ozark, Republic and Strafford districts rank in the Top 5 Niche.com 2024 Best School Districts in Springfield. Here are some of the larger school districts in Greater Springfield:

Innovative Learning

  • Academy of Fine and Performing Arts
    Unique learning environment for fifth-grade students who are creative and interested in drama, theater, dance, vocal, and visual arts.

  • Centers for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS)
    Programs are nationally recognized, innovative high school programs. Springfield and surrounding high school junior and senior students fast forward into their future and are fully immersed in a professional culture, solving real world problems, using industry standard tools and are mentored by actual employers, all while receiving high school and college credit.

  • John Thomas School of Discovery (JTSD)
    Extension of the Nixa Public School district for K-6 grade focusing on a science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (or STEAM) curriculum.

  • Launch Virtual Learning
    Provides high-quality virtual education opportunities to Missouri K-12 students and parents as an alternative to seated courses. Launch’s course and delivery options provide flexibility for all types of learners and helps students develop routines that work best with their individualized needs.

  • Phelps Center for Gifted Education
    Provides gifted students—from all Springfield Public School attendance areas—a challenging and appropriate educational experience to help ensure their success through it’s program WINGS (Working with the Individual Needs of Gifted Students).

  • Project Lead the Way
    Available to high school students at Central, Glendale, Hillcrest and Kickapoo and students at Carver, Cherokee, Hickory Hills, Jarrett, Pershing, Pipkin, Pleasant View and Westport Middle Schools who are interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines. Specific areas include biomedical science and computer science, and students get the opportunity to work on collaborative, real-world projects in their respective areas of interest. For more information, call Springfield Public Schools at 417-523-5558.

  • Wonders of the Ozarks Learning Facility (WOLF School)
    Collaboration between Springfield Public Schools and Bass Pro which offers an innovative learning opportunity for fifth-grade students with a special interest in nature and the outdoors.

Year-Round Learning

  • Camp Barnabas
    Unique ministry providing Christian camping experiences to individuals with special needs and chronic illnesses. At week-long summer camps, kids as young as 7 and some adults enjoy the great outdoors and experience life-changing adventures through this Christian-based organization. Barnabas Prep provides a two-year, faith-based collegiate program, and every year, the organization also hosts Snow Ball, a dance for people with disabilities.

  • Drury University Center for Gifted Education
    Available for Pre-K-12 students to attend Drury’s residential and nonresidential pre-college programs: Summer Pals, Summer Quest, Summerscape, and Drury Leadership Academy. Drury also hosts Fallscape and Winterscape yearly day-long enrichment programs for gifted and high ability students.

  • Ozarks Regional YMCA
    Youth programs—including sports leagues, swim lessons and before- and after-school care—serve more than 15,000 kids each year. During the summer, day camps run every week with themes, activities and field trips varying by week and location.

  • Schools-Parks Are Reaching Communities (SPARC)
    Partnership between Springfield-Greene County Park Board and Springfield Public Schools, promoting opportunities for youth and families through after-school and recreational enrichment, summer camps, intramural sports and more. Most SPARC programs are conducted at school-park sites. Scholarships may be available. Visit ParkBoard.org/Scholarships for details.

  • Springfield Public Schools Explore!
    Program designed to engage students in fun, personalized and project-based summer learning. With 24 locations, 12,000-plus students in all grade levels participate in these exciting learning opportunities.