C of O exploring prep school enrollment expansion

College of the Ozarks is exploring the feasibility of adding grades K-8 to its year-old preparatory school.

Currently serving high school students, the lab school dubbed School of the Ozarks launched in August 2012. Now, school officials have launched an Oct. 16-Nov. 1 survey to determine whether to expand its enrollment base, according to a news release.

"In keeping with the college's mission and vision, we hope to further serve students in our area who seek a challenging curriculum with an intentional threading of service learning and work,” C of O Dean of Character Education Sue Head said in the release. “The college was founded as a work school more than 100 years ago, and the younger students, too, would be expected to meet those standards, but in an age-appropriate manner."

Current enrollment for grades 9-12 is 87, and if K-8 is added, the school plans to accommodate 20 to 25 per grade, meaning enrollment could climb by up to 225 students, according to C of O spokeswoman Elizabeth Hughes.

School of the Ozarks provides Christian education with a focus on a biblical worldview, character education and patriotism, the release said. Students do not pay tuition, but are responsible for a book and uniform fee each year.[[In-content Ad]]