July 25, 2024 - Live in Springfield

It’s no secret that Springfield, Missouri is a great place for families. And excellence in education has long been one of the main reasons for that. The Queen City is home to 11 colleges and universities, led by Missouri State University, our state’s second-largest institution of higher learning. Families in the five-county Springfield metro area also have access to exceptional learning experiences through one of 26 public school districts. That includes Springfield Public Schools, the largest accredited school district in Missouri. Springfield students thrive with innovative academic programs, inspiring teachers and up-to-date facilities. Let’s take a closer look at the SPS district and how to enroll your child. Missouri’s Largest Public School District More than 24,500 students are enrolled in Springfield Public Schools. That enrollment includes five high schools, nine middle schools, 35 elementary schools and four early childhood centers. The district recently invested more than $220 million into facilities improvements and boasts a graduation rate of 95.0%. Students enjoy engaging learning experiences across subjects thanks to our hardworking educators. SPS teachers average 12 years of experience, and over 60% have earned advanced degrees. With just 14.1 teachers per student, SPS is a place where your child will enjoy individual attention to support his or her learning goals. Learning Experiences as Unique as Your Child Parents and teachers know that no two kids learn the same way. Every student comes to school with their own unique experiences, interests, aptitudes and needs. At Springfield Public Schools, your child will have access to a variety of academic programs and resources to prepare them for success throughout their lives. SPS offers more than a dozen Choice Programs from a wide range of perspectives, and our district is home to the only International Baccalaureate program in Missouri. International Baccalaureate Program International Baccalaureate (IB) emphasizes active learning with an international focus to promote creativity, critical thinking and empathy. Students have the opportunity to shape their education through hands-on projects and collaboration with teachers and classmates. The IB Middle Years Program (MYP) is available for ages 11 through 16 at Pipkin Middle School and Central High School. Project-based learning encourages deeper inquiry that helps students connect the dots between classroom learning and real world issues. The MYP curriculum framework includes eight subject groups: Language acquisition Language and literature Individuals and societies Sciences Mathematics Arts Physical and health education Design Choice Programs SPS students have access to innovative Choice Programs specifically tailored for individual needs, learning styles and academic interests. Thanks to unique opportunities for hands-on learning and collaboration, Choice Programs offer a deeper educational experience. Here are just a few examples of the unique programs available to eligible students: Ag Academy (4th, 5th and 6th grades) Academy of Fine and Performing Arts (5th grades) Wonders of the Ozarks Learning Facility (WOLF – 5th grade) Health Sciences Academy at Mercy (qualifying 8th graders) Fly SPS (qualifying high school students) The Greater Ozarks Center for Advanced Professional Studies (GO CAPS – high school students) Start Online to Enroll Your Child If your family is new to Springfield, you can begin the enrollment process online. Here are the steps you’ll need to follow. Step 1: Gather Documents Here are the documents you’ll need: Student’s proof of birth Student’s immunization records Proof of residency, such as utility bills or lease documents Previous school records, such as name and address of the school, transcripts, attendance and behavior Copy of parent or guardian photo ID Student’s health inventory Student physical and sports medicine services form, if applicable Step 2: Locate Your Child’s School Your child will attend a school based on the attendance area where you live. Use the school boundary map at the SPS website or contact the district if you’re not sure. Once you know where your child will attend, you can complete an online application for that individual school. Step 3: Visit Your Child’s School To complete the registration process, you’ll need to gather the required documents and email confirmation from online enrollment and visit your child’s school in person. Early Childhood Learning If your child is ready for kindergarten, you may also begin the enrollment process online. Students must turn 5 before August 1 in order to begin kindergarten. Required documents include your child’s birth certificate, proof of residency and immunizations. A kindergarten screening will assess your child’s present cognitive, social and emotional development and determine their present academic level. This will help teachers to meet your child’s individual learning needs for greater success at school. Visit the SPS website for information on enrolling in individual kindergarten programs. Each elementary school hosts registration events for the upcoming school year in March. The SPS website publishes dates for individual schools. Get Your Free Relocation Guide If your family is thinking of moving to Springfield, download your free Relocation Guide to learn more about our world-class schools and everthing else our city has to offer!

New in Town? Enroll Your Child Online for Springfield Public Schools