CONTACT: Sarah Potter
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Vol. 46, No. 40
May 16, 2012
Missouri Schools Receive 'What Parents Want Award'
Twenty-nine Missouri schools have received the 2012 "What Parents Want Award" from SchoolMatch, an independent school selection consulting firm.
Schools are chosen for the award based on qualities parents desire for their child's school. The information is gathered through a nationwide survey of parents.
SchoolMatch provides information to corporations, real estate firms, and economic development offices across the country to help families find schools for their children.
"We congratulate the schools recognized by SchoolMatch," said Education Commissioner Chris L. Nicastro. "These schools possess many of the characteristics essential to providing a high-quality education to students."
Missouri Schools receiving the award are:
| Blue Springs R-IV | Lindbergh R-VIII |
| Brentwood | Mound City R-II |
| Cape Girardeau | North Platte County R-1 |
| Center | Park Hill |
| Clayton | Parkway C-2 |
| Columbia | Pattonville R-III |
| Ferguson-Florissant R-II | Platte County R-III |
| Hazelwood | Raytown C-2 |
| Independence | Rockwood R-VI |
| Jefferson City | Rolla |
| Joplin R-VIII | Springfield R-XII |
| Kirkwood R-VII | St. Charles R-VI |
| Ladue | University City |
| Lee's Summit R-VII | Webster Groves |
| Liberty |
According to SchoolMatch surveys, the qualities parents most often want in a school system include:
- Competitive in academic test scores and academically solid
- Accredited
- Recognized for excellence by a national foundation or the U.S. Department of Education
- Competitive in teacher salaries
- Above average in instructional expenditures on a national basis
- Above average in expenditures for library/media services on a national basis
- Small class size