Sixteen schools from across the state of Missouri will be honored during the 2017 Powerful Learning Conference Jan. 30-31 in Osage Beach for their commitment to professional learning.

The schools have been named Professional Learning Communities Exemplary Schools for promoting cultures focused on collaborative learning while effectively using data to increase student achievement.

The 2016-17 award winners are:

• Avery Elementary School, Webster Groves School District
• Bismarck R-V High School, Bismarck R-V School District
• Brown Elementary School, Hazelwood School District
• Cameron Intermediate School, Cameron R-I School District
• Clippard Elementary School, Cape Girardeau 63 School District
• Creekmoor Elementary School, Raymore-Peculiar R-II School District
• Forder Elementary School, Mehlville R-IX School District
• Hollister Middle School, Hollister R-V School District
• Milan Elementary School, Milan C-2 School District
• Nashua Elementary School, North Kansas City 74 School District
• North County Primary School, North St. Francois County R-I School District
• Orchard Drive Elementary School, Jackson R-II School District
• Parkview Elementary School, Cameron R-I School District
• Shull Elementary School, Raymore-Peculiar R-II School District
• Timber Creek Elementary School, Raymore-Peculiar R-II School District
• Warrior Ridge Elementary School, Warren County R-III School District

More than 1,700 educators from around the state are expected to attend the conference. Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven will present school leaders with their awards.

“Congratulations to these teachers and leaders who have accepted the challenge of ensuring high levels of learning for all students,” Dr. Vandeven said.

The Missouri Professional Learning Communities Project began during the 2003-04 school year. Supporting, preparing and developing effective educators is one of the primary goals of Missouri’s Top 10 by 20 initiative, which calls for Missouri to rank among the top 10 states for education by 2020.