Howell County students head back to class

Students at Zizzer Pride Academy returned to class Monday alongside the rest of the West Plains R-VII School District and five surrounding rural K-8 districts: Howell Valley, Glenwood, Fairview, Richards and Junction Hill. ZPA serves as the district’s alternative learning campus, offering tailored classroom and graduation options for students facing unique circumstances while earning a high school diploma. From left: 12th grader Jadin Crutchfield; Seth Bryant, district coordinator of at-risk services and ZPA director; 11th grader Carlos Perez; and 10th grader Skylar Stacel. Bryant previously served as superintendent of the Oregon-Howell R-III School District in Koshkonong and assistant principal at West Plains Middle School. Monday marked the opening of the 2026-2027 school year for public school districts across Howell County, including Willow Springs and Mtn. View-Birch Tree, serving a combined total of approximately 6,225 students, according to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Under state law, public schools may begin no earlier than 14 days prior to Labor Day.