Willow Springs High School - Willow Springs, MO

The Willow Springs R-IV School District covers 310 square miles of rural, southern Missouri. The district serves approximately 3,000 households and nearly two-thirds of students qualify for the Free/Reduced Lunch Program. Additionally, the school has been challenged to meet the growing needs of a nearby Russian speaking community. Currently, students from this community make up 8% of the student population and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs have been become critically important.

The dedicated staff of Willow Springs High School has developed a high trust culture through a professional learning community; committed to the educational success of each student. Improving student achievement, decreasing the number of students who drop out, and improving parental involvement remain focus areas for the school. Willow Springs has operated on an eight block schedule since the mid-1990’s, and has been involved with High Schools That Work for the past eleven years. During that time, graduation requirements were increased to 30 credits for graduation, an advisor/advisee program was established and homework lab was implemented to provide extra help for students.

Through work with the Laura Bush 21^st Century Librarian Program, our library media center now has an inviting atmosphere, conducive to learning with resources and technology that meet the needs of our students. Grade level teachers and the principal regularly meet in focus groups to discuss student needs and concerns in an effort to eliminate obstacles to student success. Intervention and tiered levels of support are provided daily to high school students during BEAR Time (Better Education and Recovery). Additional effective programs include special education inclusion, dual-credit course offerings, numerous extra-curricular activities and the Missouri A+ Scholarship Program.