Education

El Dorado Springs R-2 Schools

901 S Grand St.

417-876-3112 www.eldo.k12.mo.us

Pre-School-12th Grade

The El Dorado Springs R-2 School District is fully accredited by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and has a K-12 enrollment of 1220 students. The district has 120 certified staff members and 62 classified staff members. The district contracts with Durham Transportation for school bus service and with OPAA! Food Management Services for school food service. All district classrooms are equipped with interactive video technology and the district continues to integrate technology into the classrooms at every level.

In 2014, the district posted its best Annual Performance Review (APR) in district history, earning 93.5% of the total possible points on achievement indicators. In 2018 the High School was recognized in the National Rankings, from US News and World Reports, earning a bronze medal based on performance on state-required tests and how well the students are prepared for college.

The district has an ambitious capital improvement plan in place and has completed several large projects in the past few years including the complete overhaul of the football stadium and track, the construction of student parking areas, and a new

practice/PE field. An early childhood center that serves approximately 150 children (ages Birth to 5) opened in February, 2017. Funds for this project were received from a Community Development Block Grant. In November, 2016, the District passed a bond issue for $5.7 million dollars to build a new middle school gym, classrooms, and an elevator. This project was completed and ready for use for the second semester of the 2018-19 school year. This addition includes new facilities for the instrumental and vocal music department, a middle school weights training room, locker rooms for middle school students and a secondary gym for middle school PE and middle school and JV volleyball and basketball, and an elevator for the High School building to allow access for our disabled students to all areas of the building, a mezzanine area where high school students can eat breakfast, and a new air conditioning system for the existing high school gym. Total construction cost was projected to be around $6 million with $80,000 coming from interest earned on the bond proceeds and the balance from district funds. During the 2018-2019, the District opened new parking around the stadium including new handicapped parking on the home and visitor sides.

The Board of Education members are: Darrell Eason, President; Josh Floyd, Vice President; Benny Brower, Mark Burley, Josh Floyd, Terry Shephard, Nathan Murry and Chad Whitesell.

Athletic activities within the district include Football, Volleyball, Softball, Cross Country, Basketball, Wrestling, Track, Baseball, Golf, Cheerleading and Dance. Other extra-curricular activities, clubs and organizations include: FFA, DECA, FCCLA, FBLA, National Honor Society and many others. The school colors are Red and Black and the mascot is the bulldog.

The school district includes portions of Cedar, St. Clair, and Vernon Counties and takes in an area of approximately 380 sq. miles.

This beautiful addition was put into use at the beginning of the second semester of the 2018-19 school year. Photo by Brent Hillsman.

Aerial view of the football field, track and baseball field.

A unique feature was added into the architecture of the addition on the East side. The bricks and windows replicate the melody and accompaniment of the last line of the Bulldog fight song.

BULLDOG ALUMNI:

  • To subscribe to the El Hi Mo newspaper, send $12 (per year, 2 issues per year) to EHS Alumni Association, Dwain Steward, 502 E Twyman, El Dorado Springs, Mo 64744 with your mailing address, email address and year of graduation.

  • Email newsletter information to Sharon Knutson at peanut6174@live.com

  • Old Yearbooks can be purchased at Santa Paula Awning Company at 305 S Main. The Association accepts donations of unwanted yearbooks to re-sell. Money raised helps to provide scholarships given by the Association.

  • Annual Meetings are on Saturday morning of the Picnic, at the school.

  • Current Officers of the El Dorado Springs Alumni Association are: President-Becky Gazaway, Vice President-Jill Price, Treasurer-Dwain Steward, Secretary-Lana Sue Jones, and Members-James Brackenridge, John Detwiler, Roger Floyd and Sharon Knutson.

El Dorado Christian School

1600 S Ohio St.

417-876-2201

www.eldobuffalos.com

Pre-School-12th Grade

The El Dorado Christian School is a Christian alternative to educating your child.

Established in 1983, the mission of achieving academic excellence and training the students in the knowledge and love of God and country has not changed. A monthly tuition is charged based on grade level. Accredited by the National Association of Private Schools.

Community Development Institute

Head Start

210 E Fields

Admin-660-717-2007

CDI Head Start enriches lives by providing high-quality early care, education and health services for children, as well as supportive services for parents while families work toward self sufficiency. The CDI Head Start offers Early Head Start, Part Day Head Start, Full Day Head Start and Home Based Head Start services. These programs provide quality childcare for working parents, pre-reading and writing skills, science, math, music and movement, social skills, dental and health screenings, mental health support, and Kindergarten readiness for families and much more.

El Dorado Springs

Preschool

1109 S Jackson

417-876-5220

(Located in the basement of the Lion’s Club Building)

The El Dorado Springs Preschool has been serving the community since 1979 and has highly qualified and experienced early childhood teachers. With a small student/teacher ratio the children will experience child-centered, hands-on, and creative curriculum that prepares them for Kindergarten. Classes are offered for 3 and 4 year old children.