The Waynesville Sixth Grade Center (WSGC) finished 1st in the State of Missouri in the 2026 READBowl competition hosted by the Share the Magic Foundation. In addition, eight WSGC homerooms placed in the Top 100 in the Middle School Division.
"This achievement reflects the dedication, enthusiasm and hard work of our students, as well as the unwavering support of our teachers and families," said WSGC Principal Kevin Schnicker.
According to the Share the Magic Foundation, more than 1,000,000 students worldwide participated in READBowl 2026.
“Our students competed in a very large field and represented WSGC exceptionally well,” said Library Media Specialist Angela Houf. “We are proud of the students’ effort and commitment throughout this competition.”
READBowl is a free global reading competition where PreK-12th grade aged teams around the world compete to read for the most minutes. The competition begins the week before the American College Football National Championship (2nd Monday in January) and culminates on Super Bowl Sunday.
Waynesville R-VI Athletics will offer Flag Football for 6th -8th grade students March 23 – May 9, 2026. The cost is $25 per student.
Practices will be held on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3:45 to 5:15 p.m. at the grass practice soccer field. Games will be held on Saturdays (to be announced).
Transportation will be provided for students who stay after school for WIN. A shuttle will be provided to and from the practice field, which is located near East Elementary on Highway F.
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Register and pay
Please complete BOTH the registration and payment forms for your student to attend.
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/eAJM2c9TDJGXFwe99
Payment Link: https://www.msbtickets.com/Athletics/event/zkjdmeu4
This program is partially funded through AYPYN United States Army Child and Youth Services. Equipment is provided.
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More info
For more information, contact Kelly Walker at kwalker@waynesville.k12.mo.us or Carl Emperato at cemperato@gmail.com.
THURSDAY!!
Waynesville R-VI will host a teacher recruitment event from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, at the Parker Educational Center. The event will begin with a welcome session, followed by screening interviews being held on site. At the end of the evening, a drawing will be held for an iPad.
For more information about openings in the district, please go to https://www.applitrack.com/waynesville/onlineapp/default.aspx?all=1 or call 573-842-2094.
Parker Educational Center is located at 909 U.S. Route 66 in Waynesville.
For more information
Phone: (573) 842-2094
Email: personnel@waynesville.k12.mo.us
The public is invited to nominate a Waynesville R-VI teacher for the Rising Star Award and a staff member for the Support Super Star Award.
The Rising Star Award honors a teacher who is new to the field of education and has demonstrated a positive impact on students. To nominate a teacher for the Rising Star Award, go to https://forms.gle/qDfYnZ9q1S3HALjM6.
The Support Super Star Award honors a staff member for being a support person who has demonstrated a positive impact on students and on education. To nominate a staff member for the Support Super Star Award, go to https://forms.gle/Hj81vWyg3X7Uvkxj8.
The deadline to nominate someone is Feb. 27, 2026.
For more information about openings in the district, please go to https://www.applitrack.com/waynesville/onlineapp/default.aspx?all=1 or call 573-842-2094.
Parker Educational Center is located at 909 U.S. Route 66 in Waynesville.
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The exceptions are listed below.
Snow routes - 48, 49 and 82
Routes 48 A&B, 49 A&B, and 82 AM & Noon will be still be snow routes on Monday, Feb. 2.
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Modified routes - 44 and 76
The following routes will be normal routes except for the following changes for Feb. 2:
Rts. 44 and 76: Those who live in Shady Oaks should meet the bus at Y Hwy. and Helm Dr.
The Waynesville R-VI School District will be in session and will run mostly regular bus routes on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. If your child's bus route is not listed below, then your child's bus route will be the regular bus route.
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The exceptions are listed below.
Snow routes - 48, 49 and 82
Routes 48 A&B, 49 A&B, and 82 AM & Noon will be still be snow routes on Monday, Feb. 2.
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Modified routes - 44 and 76
The following routes will be normal routes except for the following changes for Feb. 2:
Rts. 44 and 76: Those who live in Shady Oaks should meet the bus at Y Hwy. and Helm Dr.
The Waynesville R-VI School District will run mostly regular bus routes on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. The exceptions are listed below.
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Snow routes
Routes 48 A&B, 49 A&B, and 82 AM & Noon will still be snow routes for Friday.
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Modified routes
The following routes will be normal routes except for the following changes:
29B Stops at Top and Bottom of Brookview will be at Settlers Pass and Brookview Pick up @ 7:21 AM Dropoff at approx. 3:57 PM
Rt 42A Top, Terrain, Triangle, Turkey, Terris Stops to be picked up at Texas and True @ 6:22 AM Please leave room for bus to turn around. Dropped off at approx 3:05 PM
Rt 42A Tundra, Talladega, Titan, and Twilight will be picked up at Texas and Twilight @ 6:27 AM Drop off @ approx. 3:05 PM.
Rt 45B on Talon Ln and Trolley will be picked up at Talon and Tango at 7:30 AM and dropped off at same intersection @ approx. 4:10PM All other stops normal.
Rt 52A Talon Ln and Trolley will be picked up at Talon and Tango at 6:21 AM and dropped off at same intersection @ approx. 3:17 PM
52B 15155 Texas Ln, Top, Terrain, Triangle, Turkey, Terris Stops to be picked up at Texas and True @ 7:59 AM Dropped off at approx 3:46 PM
52 B Tundra, Talladega, Titan, and Twilight will be picked up at Texas and Twilight @ 8:00 AM Drop off @ approx. 3:45 PM.
Rt 46B Rt 47B and Rt 51B will have very minor changes. These parents should have received an email and text.
This session, “Navigating Transitions Between Buildings,” is especially recommended for families of students who will be entering one of the following grades or stages during the 2026–27 school year:
Kindergarten
6th grade
7th grade
9th grade
Post-secondary transition (after high school)
During the session, families will gain insight into the behind-the-scenes planning that takes place to support students as they move to a new building. Parents and guardians will also receive practical strategies and tips to help their child feel confident and prepared for their next school transition.
Buses will run snow routes.
Details:
The Waynesville R-VI School District will be in session, but buses will be running snow routes on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026.
When the district runs snow routes in the morning, it will run snow routes in the afternoon.
Snow routes are available on the Bus Quest Mobile App. In some cases, the snow route may be the regular route.
More information about downloading the Bus Quest Mobile App is at https://www.waynesville.k12.mo.us/o/wrv/page/bus-quest.
Buses will run SNOW ROUTES (add 30 minutes to your snow route pick-up time because it's late-start Wednesday)
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Details:
The Waynesville R-VI School District will be in session, but buses will be running snow routes on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. When the district runs snow routes in the morning, it will run snow routes in the afternoon.
Because Jan. 28 is late-start Wednesday, please add 30 minutes to the pick-up time for your snow route.
Snow routes are available on the Bus Quest Mobile App. In some cases, the snow route may be the regular route.
More information about downloading the Bus Quest Mobile App is at https://www.waynesville.k12.mo.us/o/wrv/page/bus-quest.
School will be in session using an Alternative Method of Instruction (AMI online) from 8:30 a.m. to noon for grades K-12 and Parker, Pick and Freedom Preschool.
Williams Early Childhood Center AM classes will be online from 8:30 to 10:15 a.m. and Williams PM classes will be online from 10:15 a.m. to noon.
Parents and guardians make check their email for additional details.
There will be no in-person school in the Waynesville R-VI School District Monday, Jan. 26, 2026; however, students will go to school virtually on Monday morning as this is an AMI day. Parents and guardians should check their email for more details.
Waynesville R-VI Schools have been recognized among the 2026 Best Elementary, Middle and High Schools by U.S. News & World Report.
Waynesville High School, Waynesville Middle School, Waynesville Sixth Grade Center, Freedom Elementary, Partridge Elementary, Thayer Elementary, and Wood Elementary all earned U.S. News badges. These rankings are based on state performance data from the 2023–24 school year. While East Elementary narrowly missed the 2026 list, its strong 2024–25 results position it well for inclusion in the 2027 rankings. In addition, rankings do not include career centers and preschool programs.
“Each data point represents an individual student and we are so proud of our students’ achievements and their continued growth each year,” said Superintendent Hilary Bales. “This recognition reflects the shared effort of our students, parents, teachers, staff and community.”
U.S. News rankings are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education, including state assessment results in mathematics and reading/language arts, student backgrounds, academic performance in core subjects, and overall student growth. Student-teacher ratios are also considered to help break ties in scores.
The high school rankings were released earlier this year, followed by the elementary and middle school rankings.
“This data-rich resource helps parents identify schools that are truly making a difference in children’s academic journeys.” said LaMont Jones, Ed.D., managing editor for Education at U.S. News.
Photo info
During the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting on Jan. 20, 2026, Waynesville R-VI Superintendent Hilary Bales presented certificates to Waynesville High School, Waynesville Middle School, Waynesville Sixth Grade Center, Freedom Elementary, Partridge Elementary, Thayer Elementary and Wood Elementary principals on behalf of their staff and students in recognition of their schools earning a U.S. News badge.
Supporting students with special needs during school transitions
The Waynesville R-VI School District will offer a free special education training session for parents and guardians of students with IEPs and 504 plans from 5:30–6:30 p.m. on Feb. 10, 2026, at the Parker Educational Center. The Parker Educational Center is located at 909 U.S. Route 66 in Waynesville, next to the middle school.
This session, “Navigating Transitions Between Buildings,” is especially recommended for families of students who will be entering one of the following grades or stages during the 2026–27 school year:
· Kindergarten
· 6th grade
· 7th grade
· 9th grade
· Post-secondary transition (after high school)
During the session, families will gain insight into the behind-the-scenes planning that takes place to support students as they move to a new building. Parents and guardians will also receive practical strategies and tips to help their child feel confident and prepared for their next school transition.
This event is the third and final session in the district’s Tiger Pride Series for the 2025–26 school year, which is designed to empower families through information, collaboration and advocacy.
The session will be presented by Dr. Elizabeth Washington, executive director of student services, and Shauna Smith, district special education coordinator.
Students will dismiss early on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, as follows:
Noon students in grades 6-12 will dismiss
12:45 p.m. Full day preschools (Parker, Pick and Freedom) will dismiss
1 p.m. Students in grades K-5 will dismiss
There will be no afternoon sessions for Williams Early Childhood Center
There will be no school in the Waynesville R-VI School District on Dec. 22, 2025 - Jan. 2, 2026.
District offices will be closed Dec. 24, 25, 26, 31 and Jan. 1.
Students will return to the classroom on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.
