Eagles,

Now that we've completed the 2024–25 school year, there’s a lot to celebrate across Joplin Schools. We've made strong progress, stayed focused on what matters most, and have a lot to be proud of.

At the heart of our work is student learning, and this year, we’ve seen continued growth in academic achievement across all grade levels. Our younger students are making great strides in reading, thanks to the success of our LETRS literacy program now in its fourth year. These gains show that our efforts to improve academic outcomes are working.

Our students have also shined outside the classroom. For the second year in a row, our U.S. Constitution Team brought home the state championship. Two of our students qualified for the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), and others earned top honors in local and regional competitions. Our middle school eSports team won the state title, and this year’s graduating class reached one of the highest graduation rates we’ve seen in recent years. These accomplishments are just a few examples of the talent, hard work, and determination shown by students across our district.

This year, we also invited community members to share their ideas as we expand career-focused opportunities at Joplin High School and Franklin Technology Center. These conversations are shaping a long-term plan that will eventually reach middle and upper elementary students as well. Helping students explore and prepare for life after graduation is more important than ever, and we’re committed to giving them the tools they need to succeed.

Another key part of our strategic plan is supporting our classrooms—through better pay and better facilities. We’ve taken steps to raise teacher salaries, moving Joplin into the top tier for educator pay in Southwest Missouri. We’re also making critical improvements to our buildings and learning spaces, which you can learn more about below.

Thank you for being part of our journey this year. We’re proud of how far we’ve come, and we’re even more excited about where we’re headed. Go Eagles!

We broke ground this month at Royal Heights, McKinley, and Jefferson Elementary buildings to begin creating better opportunities for students and staff to succeed! This work is being done as a result of careful planning from the Long Range Facility Committee, and using existing district budgetary savings to ensure no additional taxpayer burden.

Work will begin this summer at all three locations, and is expected to continue through the summer of 2026. We will provide updates and celebrations of the work as it proceeds!

We are so excited to create new spaces for student classrooms, more room for kids to grow and learn, and safety upgrades to keep our students and staff even safer on campus. The Board of Education in May also approved new windows at each of these buildings, adding the promise of safety, security, and efficiency now and for many years to come.

For a full listing of the additions and upgrades taking place at each building, visit our website.

There's still time to enroll in Summer School!

Classes are available for all area students from PreK through 12th grades for a chance to boost academic skills for the coming school year and have a ton of fun along the way. Breakfast & lunch is free, bus service is available, field trips are offered for our K-8 students, and there will be lots of hands-on learning and career exploration options for all.

For a full list of Summer School sites, hours, enrollment links, Kindergarten Jumpstart details and more, please visit our website to get started.

We are proud to serve free meals this summer to ANY area child ages 18 and younger! Meals must be eaten on site, with no to-go or delivery services provided.

For a full list of times, dates, and locations when free meals will be available, please visit our website.

We look forward to seeing you this summer!

ALL area Kindergarten and 1st Grade students and their families are invited to this year's FREE Bus Camp!

When: 9:00am to noon Saturday, Aug. 9

Where: Junge Stadium

What: Kids will take a ride on a school bus, learn about bus stop safety, visit with Buster the talking school bus, take home giveaways, play games and more.

This event is a great way to get students ready for their first experience with school bus transportation, helping ensure they have a great start for Back-to-School. Sponsors will provide giveaways and treats!

Follow our Facebook Event for more details and to share the opportunity with friends.

Save the date for one of our Back-to-School faves with all the freebies: the annual Health, Benefits & Retail Therapy Fair!

When: 7:30am-noon Friday, Aug. 1

Where: Joplin High School gyms

What: Nearly 150 area vendors will be set up to provide information, samples, giveaways, sales, partnership opportunities, health screenings and more. Entry is FREE for everyone!

Joplin Schools staff will have the event to themselves from 7:30-9:00am. Bring your badge! The community can attend from 9:00am to noon. Goodie bags are available for the first 500 attendees.

Check out the Facebook Event page for a full list of vendors.

The JHS Constitution Team won First Place at the Missouri Bar Association's “Show Me the Constitution” State Competition.

Students from all over Joplin Schools attended the Southwest Missouri Special Olympics to compete, cheer, and grow together.

South Middle School students won 1st and 2nd place prizes at the Missouri State National History contest and will represent the Eagles at Nationals in DC this summer.

Students in Ms. Geeding's Sign Language Club at McKinley Elementary are learning ASL to better communicate with their hard-of-hearing peers, and presented the Pledge of Allegiance at morning meetings.

JETHD students at Joplin High School successfully livestreamed the 2025 Graduation Ceremony to more than 25,000 viewers around the globe.

The 7th Grade Girls Track team won the title of Conference Team Champions at the COC West Meet, with several first place event wins, school and district records to share.

Joplin Early Childhood classes celebrated Kindergarten Promotion ceremonies for their 4-year-olds in JEC and Little Eagles Flight School classes. This year saw our largest-ever enrollment of preschool students, thanks in part to the addition of in-elementary Flight School classes!

JHS Science Research Students represented Joplin Schools at the International Science & Engineering Fair, competing against and learning from students attending the fair from more than 63 countries, regions or territories around the world.

No more flyers lost in backpacks! Please bookmark and visit the new Community Bulletin Board at JoplinSchools.org/flyers for updated links to events and opportunities from local nonprofits and groups serving local families.

We hope this streamlines the information available to our families, and offers an easy, one-stop-shop for regional non-profits to publicize their events to our Eagles. Check back regularly as more flyers are always being added!