Ozark school district awarded back-to-back grants to expand preschool, pay tuition

Claudette Riley, Springfield News-Leader

First, there was a $100,000 grant to help the Ozark school district add two preschool classrooms. That came a month ago.

Then came the second grant, valued at up to $780,000. It will allow the district to pay the tuition for students who will enter kindergarten during the 2025-26 year.

The back-to-back grants arrived not long after the district added a storm shelter at the Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center. The extra space, part of a $19 million bond issue approved by voters in 2022, provided a kitchen and cafeteria for the preschool building.

Ozark's Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center received a grant to pay tuition for preschool children who turned age 4 by July 31.2024 and plan to enter kindergarten during the 2025-26 year.
Ozark's Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center received a grant to pay tuition for preschool children who turned age 4 by July 31.2024 and plan to enter kindergarten during the 2025-26 year.

Tiger Paw is located on Fourth Avenue, just east of the downtown square.

“This is such a blessing for many of our families at Tiger Paw,” said Tiger Paw Principal Elizabeth Dawson, in a recent news release. “I appreciate that opportunities like this make preschool more accessible for our community and promote early childhood education.”

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education awarded Tiger Paw the one-year Missouri Quality PreKindergarten — known as MOQPK — grant, which covers tuition for up to 120 4-year-old preschool students, and that is regardless of the family’s income.

Superintendent Lori Wilson described it as an "amazing gift" for families and commended elementary leaders for going after the support.

Currently, Tiger Paw offers three preschool classrooms for children who are age 3-4. There are a total of six classrooms for children ages 4-5. They serve a total of 180 children.

More: Ozark High School celebrates opening of new activities center, final storm shelter

Families can qualify for the tuition-covering grant regardless of income as long as the child enrolled has turned age 4 by July 31, 2024.

In addition to preschool, Tiger Paw offers early childhood special education, the Parents As Teachers program, childcare for employee's children, and transitional kindergarten.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Ozark school district gets grants to expand preschool, pay tuition

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