When you’re moving to a new city with kids, the school question isn’t just important. It’s everything. You want to know your children will be challenged academically, supported emotionally, and prepared for whatever comes next. You want teachers who care, programs that engage, and a community that values education.
If you’re considering Southern Hills, the good news is that the schools serving this southeast Springfield neighborhood check all those boxes. Students here attend Wilder Elementary, Pershing Middle School, and Glendale High School, all part of Springfield Public Schools, Missouri’s largest and most comprehensive school district.
Let’s talk about what that actually means for your family.
The Big Picture: Springfield Public Schools
Before we get into the individual schools, it helps to understand what you’re buying into with Springfield Public Schools (SPS). This isn’t just any district. It’s Missouri’s largest fully accredited school system, serving more than 24,500 students across 35 elementary schools, nine middle schools, and five high schools.
SPS has invested over $278 million since 2000 to improve facilities, including renovations of all five high schools and construction of new schools throughout the district. That kind of investment shows a community that puts its money where its values are.
All five district high schools are designated Missouri A+ Schools, which means they meet rigorous standards and offer tuition assistance for community college to qualifying students. The district’s teachers average about 12 years of experience, and 63% have pursued advanced degrees. These aren’t just warm bodies in classrooms. They’re career educators who’ve chosen to stay and grow with the district.
The district also offers specialized programs that go beyond traditional classroom learning, including an International Baccalaureate program, Project Lead the Way engineering and technology courses, and unique partnerships like the Wonders of the Ozarks Learning Facility and the Academy of Exploration at Discovery Center. While not all of these programs are available at every school, Southern Hills families have access to them through SPS’s choice program system.
Wilder Elementary: Where the Foundation Gets Built
Let’s start where your kids will start. Wilder Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade and sits right in the Southern Hills area at 2526 S. Hillsboro Avenue.
Here’s what the numbers tell us: Wilder Elementary has about 343 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13:1. That’s actually better than many elementary schools, meaning your child gets more individual attention from their teacher. The school ranks in the top 20% of all schools in Missouri for overall test scores, with 50-54% of students achieving proficiency in math and 55-59% in reading. Both of those numbers beat the state averages.
But numbers don’t tell the whole story. Parents who’ve sent their kids to Wilder consistently mention the high parent involvement, welcoming atmosphere, and strong principal and staff leadership. The school offers a Gifted and Talented program, which means students who need extra challenge can get it without leaving their home school.
Wilder has a solid community feel. The kind of place where teachers know your kid’s name and parents volunteer in classrooms. It’s the sort of elementary school experience that sets kids up well for middle school, both academically and socially.
Pershing Middle School: The Bridge Years Done Right
Middle school can be tough anywhere. Let’s be honest about that. But Pershing Middle School, serving grades 6-8, ranks #128 out of 502 middle schools in Missouri. That puts it well above average statewide.
Pershing has about 704 students and maintains a 16:1 student-teacher ratio, with 43% of students scoring at or above proficient in math and 48% in reading. Both figures exceed both the Springfield district average and the Missouri state average, which tells you Pershing is doing something right.
The school offers a Gifted and Talented program and Project Lead The Way curriculum, which introduces students to engineering and technology concepts through hands-on projects. That’s the kind of program that can spark a career interest years down the road.
Here’s something worth knowing: Springfield Public Schools recently decided to build a brand new Pershing Middle School to the east of the existing building, with completion expected by June 2028. Students will stay in the current building during construction, but when it’s done, they’ll have a state-of-the-art facility built to last the next 75 to 80 years. The new school will include a full-size football field and track where the old building currently stands.
That’s a significant investment in your neighborhood’s school, and it speaks volumes about the district’s commitment to this area.
Parent reviews of Pershing consistently mention supportive teachers, strong counseling staff, and administrators who genuinely care about students as individuals. The school has an active PTSA that organizes events and helps build community among families.
Glendale High School: Launching Into the Future
This is where it all comes together. Glendale High School is one of five public high schools in Springfield Public Schools, located in southeast Springfield near U.S. Route 65. The school serves about 1,369 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of about 18:1.
Glendale offers Advanced Placement courses, Project Lead The Way curriculum, and a Gifted and Talented program. Students who want to challenge themselves with college-level work can do it right here. The school has earned a College Success Award based on its success in preparing students for college.
Glendale has strong programs across the board. The boys’ soccer team has won numerous state championships, and the choral students have been selected for District, State, Regional and National Honors Choirs. The school’s orchestra, band, and other fine arts programs give students multiple ways to explore their talents beyond academics.
In 2005, the Glendale High School Chamber Choir sang for the National American Choral Directors Convention in Los Angeles, which tells you about the caliber of programs available here. Whether your kid is into sports, music, theater, STEM, or something else entirely, they’ll find their people at Glendale.
The school has an active PTSA that keeps families connected and informed. Students consistently mention teachers who care about them as individuals and work with them to succeed, whether that means graduating early, moving to online learning, or finding alternative paths that work better for their learning style.
What This Means for Your Family
Here’s the bottom line: the schools serving Southern Hills aren’t just good. They’re legitimately strong schools that consistently perform above state and district averages. Your kids will be challenged academically, supported by experienced teachers, and given opportunities to explore their interests through specialized programs.
But school quality isn’t just about test scores and programs. It’s about whether your kids will be happy getting on the bus every morning. Whether they’ll make friends. Whether they’ll find teachers who inspire them. And from everything we can see, families in Southern Hills are getting that experience.
The investment the district continues to make in these schools, from the brand new Pershing building to ongoing facility improvements across the board, shows a community committed to education for the long haul. When you move to Southern Hills, you’re not just buying a house in a nice neighborhood. You’re investing in a school system that’s investing in itself.
Beyond the Classroom: The Southern Hills Advantage
One thing worth mentioning: living in Southern Hills puts you in a neighborhood where education is valued. Parents here tend to be involved in their kids’ schools. They volunteer in classrooms, attend PTSA meetings, and show up for school events. That creates a culture where education matters, and kids pick up on that.
The neighborhood’s location also means your kids can walk or bike to school as they get older, building independence while staying close to home. And when school lets out, they’ve got Galloway Creek Greenway trails nearby for outdoor activities, the private Southern Hills Swim & Tennis Club for summer programs, and a community of neighbors who look out for each other’s kids.
Springfield’s overall education system offers resources that go well beyond the classroom, from extensive library programs to partnerships with local organizations that provide enrichment opportunities year-round.
Why Springfield Families Choose This Area
Parents moving to Springfield often end up in Southern Hills specifically because of the school situation. The elementary, middle, and high schools form a consistent educational track where kids grow up with the same group of friends, and teachers at each level know what to expect from students moving up from the previous school.
That continuity matters. When your fifth grader moves to Pershing, their teachers already know what Wilder students have learned. When your eighth grader heads to Glendale, the high school staff understands the Pershing curriculum. There’s less starting over and more building on what came before.
Springfield also benefits from having Missouri State University right here in town. The university’s College of Education partners with SPS on innovative programs like the Future Educators Program and the Internship Academy, which means local schools often get access to cutting-edge teaching methods and fresh perspectives from student teachers who are getting top-tier training.
The Springfield Education Investment
When you look at the bigger picture of what it costs to live in Springfield, the education piece becomes even more compelling. You’re getting schools that compete with much more expensive districts in other parts of the country, but you’re paying Springfield housing prices to access them.
The same house in the Southern Hills school zone would cost two or three times as much in many markets with comparable schools. That means you can afford a bigger house, save more for college, or have money left over for the activities and experiences that enrich your kids’ lives outside of school.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I visit the schools before moving to the area?
Absolutely. Contact each school’s main office to schedule a tour. Principals and staff are usually happy to show prospective families around and answer questions. Visiting during the school day gives you a real feel for the environment.
What if my child needs special education services or has an IEP?
Springfield Public Schools has a comprehensive special education program. Once you’re enrolled, work with your school’s counselor to ensure all services transfer smoothly. The district is required to honor existing IEPs and can conduct new evaluations if needed.
Are there before and after school care options?
Yes. Springfield Public Schools offers extended day programs at many elementary schools. There are also private childcare providers in the Southern Hills area. Check with your specific school about available programs and timing.
What about school choice programs and magnet schools?
While Southern Hills students are zoned for Wilder, Pershing, and Glendale, SPS operates several choice programs including the International Baccalaureate program, WOLF (Wonders of the Ozarks Learning Facility), and others. Families can apply for these programs, though admission may be competitive and transportation becomes your responsibility.
How do these schools compare to private school options in Springfield?
Springfield has several well-regarded private schools, but many families find that SPS schools, particularly in the Southern Hills zone, offer comparable academic quality with more extracurricular options and diversity. The choice often comes down to personal preference and priorities rather than a clear quality gap.
What’s the homework load like at these schools?
It varies by grade level and teacher, but generally aligns with national norms. Elementary students typically have 30-60 minutes of homework, middle schoolers 60-90 minutes, and high schoolers 1-2 hours depending on course load. Honors and AP classes at Glendale will have heavier workloads.
Why Southern Hills Schools Work for Families
Here’s what you need to know: if you’re moving to Springfield with school-age kids, the Southern Hills school zone gives you a solid, above-average educational experience from kindergarten through graduation. You’re getting experienced teachers, strong academic programs, and schools that consistently outperform state averages.
More than that, you’re getting a neighborhood where families value education and kids grow up with the same group of friends across all three schools. You’re getting access to Missouri’s largest school district with all the programs and resources that come with size, but in schools small enough that your kid won’t get lost in the crowd.
And you’re getting all of this while living in one of Springfield’s most desirable neighborhoods, surrounded by lakes and mature trees, with homes you can actually afford.
For families making the move to southwest Missouri, it’s a combination that’s hard to beat. Come see for yourself what life in Springfield is really like. We think you’ll find that Southern Hills, with its excellent schools and strong community, might just be exactly what you’re looking for.
Welcome home.