The Early Childhood Education Program of the Year Awards recognize outstanding Pre-K programs throughout Missouri. Applications for the 2023 campaign will be accepted from February 6 through March 31, 2023.

The FutureBuilders’ Foundation celebrates the many impressive achievements made when providing quality early childhood instruction, regardless of district size. Winning programs are selected in each of three size categories as determined by a district’s overall student population. Those winners are then invited to attend MSBA’s Fall Annual Conference for celebration and recognition.

Note: If your district has won an ECE award in the last three years, we ask you to defer from reapplying to increase opportunities for acknowledgement to additional exemplary ECE programs around Missouri. (For the 2023 award campaign, do not apply if your program won an ECE Award in 2020, 2021, or 2022- Thank you.)

Access the 2023 Online Nomination Form

FutureBuilders Early Childhood Education Program of the Year Previous Winners

2022: Small – Crystal City 47; Midsize – Maplewood Richmond Heights; Large – North Kansas City 74

2021: Small – Spokane R-VII; Midsize – Dunklin R-V; Large – Columbia Public Schools

2020: Small – Northeast Nodaway Count R-V; Midsize – El Dorado Springs R-II; Large – Riverview Gardens

2019: Small – Grandview RII, Jefferson C 123; Midsize – Dunklin R-V; Large – Branson R-IV

2018: Small – Everton R-II; Midsize – Orchard Farm R-V; Large – Mehlville R-IX

2017: Small – Van Buren R-I; Midsize – Farmington R-VII; Large – Independence 30

2016: 1st – Springfield Public Schools; 2nd – Mehlville R-IX; 3rd – Raytown C-2

2015: 1st – Northwest R-I; 2nd – Jefferson City Public Schools; 3rd – Ozark R-VI

2014: 1st – Belton 124; 2nd – Mehlville R-IX; 3rd – Ava R-I

2013: 1st – Nixa Public Schools; 2nd – Jefferson City Public Schools; 3rd – Kirksville R- III

2012: 1st – Pattonville R-III; 2nd – Nixa Public Schools; 3rd – Park Hill

2011: 1st – Francis Howell R-III; 2nd – Lee’s Summit R-VIII; 3rd – Belton 124

2010: 1st – Webster Groves; 2nd – Maplewood-Richmond Heights; 3rd – Nixa Public Schools

The school board of each MSBA member district is eligible to nominate one high school senior to apply. The local board of education should select their applicant based on academic achievement and leadership abilities; need may also be considered. After the district applicant is chosen the student/guidance office should contact Janet Tilley for a link to the online application during the application period, generally from October through January.  The applicant and their guidance counselor will receive confirmation and further instructions within two working days of submission. The student will need to obtain a transcript and complete the essay, if not already done.

2022-2023 Essay Prompts

Please write and title a 500-700 word essay on ONE of the following prompts:

• The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback or failure.  How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
• Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
• Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Download the paper application in MS Word format.
Download the paper application in PDF format.
Download the Evaluation Rubrics.

Contact:
Janet Tilley
573.445.9920 ext. 379
tilley@mosba.org