Every year, MO SW-PBS identifies schools and districts that are exemplary in their implementation of Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support, and can serve as demonstration sites or models of exemplary practice for other schools and districts. MO SW-PBS uses a rigorous process to identify these organizations. Exemplar schools represent all three tiers of implementation, all grade configurations, and all demographic compositions that are in the state of Missouri. Teams are encouraged to contact exemplary sites to network, share ideas, and possibly arrange visits.
Exemplary schools and districts in Missouri are identified and recognized through the MO SW-PBS recognition process, as well as the Dr. Mary Richter Award. Please visit the Recognition Application page for more information as to how your school can become a MO SW-PBS Exemplar. Visit the Dr. Mary Richter Award page to learn how to apply for this award.
2024 Exemplar Schools
In 2023/2024, the number of schools that applied for and earned the MO SW-PBS Award of Excellence returned to pre-pandemic levels. 149 schools earned the MO SW-PBS Award of Excellence in the 2023-2024 school year. Of these, 26 schools earned the Tier 1 Award of Excellence, 30 schools earned the Tier 2 Award of Excellence, and 93 schools earned the Tier 3 Award of Excellence.
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education honors all MO SW-PBS Award of Excellence schools with a framed certificate. In addition, schools earning the Award of Excellence for the first time receive a banner, and schools earning recognition for the 10th year receive a special 10-year Award of Excellence banner. A Letter of Commendation was sent to Award of Excellence Schools from Dr. Nanci Johnson, Director of Missouri Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support.
Exemplary Schools 2024 Press Release
To view the recognition schools by region, click on regional link, below. For contact information of exemplary organizations, please contact the SW-PBS Consultant(s) for the region in which the school is located.
Region 1: Southeast
Region 2: Heart of Missouri
Region 3: Kansas City
Region 4: Northeast
Region 5: Northwest
Region 6: South Central
Region 7: Southwest
Region 8: Education Plus
Region 9: Central
2023 Exemplar Schools
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education honors all MO SW-PBS Award of Excellence schools with a framed certificate. In addition, schools earning the Award of Excellence for the first time receive a banner, and schools earning recognition for the 10th year receive a special 10-year Award of Excellence banner. A Letter of Commendation was sent to Award of Excellence Schools from Dr. Nanci Johnson, Director of Missouri Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support.
Exemplary Schools 2023 Press Release
To view the recognition schools by region, click on regional link, below. For contact information of exemplary organizations, please contact the SW-PBS Consultant(s) for the region in which the school is located.
Region 1: Southeast
Region 2: Heart of Missouri
Region 3: Kansas City
Region 4: Northeast
Region 5: Northwest
Region 6: South Central
Region 7: Southwest
Region 8: Education Plus
Region 9: Central
2022 Exemplar Schools
Even as MO SW-PBS returned to the more rigorous prepandemic Award of Excellence criteria, 113 schools earned the MO SW-PBS Award of Excellence in the 2021-2022 school year. Of these, 22 schools earned Bronze level recognition, 32 schools earned Silver level Recognition, and 59 schools earned Gold level recognition.
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education honors all MO SW-PBS Award of Excellence schools with a framed certificate. In addition, schools earning the Award of Excellence for the first time receive a banner, and schools earning recognition for the 10th year receive a special 10-year Award of Excellence banner. A Letter of Commendation was sent to Award of Excellence Schools from Dr. Nanci Johnson, Director of Missouri Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support.
Exemplary Schools 2022 Press Release
To view the recognition schools by region, click on regional link, below. For contact information of exemplary organizations, please contact the SW-PBS Consultant(s) for the region in which the school is located.
Region 1: Southeast
Region 2: Heart of Missouri
Region 3: Kansas City
Region 4: Northeast
Region 5: Northwest
Region 6: South Central
Region 7: Southwest
Region 8: Education Plus
Region 9: Central
2021 Exemplar Schools
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education honors all MO SW-PBS Award of Excellence schools with a framed certificate. In addition, schools earning the Award of Excellence for the first time receive a banner, and schools earning recognition for the 10th year receive a special 10-year Award of Excellence banner. A Recognition Letter 2021 was sent to Recognition Schools from Dr. Nanci Johnson, Director of Missouri Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support.
Exemplary Schools 2021 Press Release
To view the recognition schools by region, click on regional link, below. For contact information of exemplary organizations, please contact the SW-PBS Consultant(s) for the region in which the school is located.
Region 1: Southeast
Region 2: Heart of Missouri
Region 3: Kansas City
Region 4: Northeast
Region 5: Northwest
Region 6: South Central
Region 7: Southwest
Region 8: Education Plus
Region 9: Central
Region 10: St. Louis County (SSD)
2020 Exemplar Schools
Exemplary Schools 2020 Press Release
To view the recognition schools by region, click on regional link, below. For contact information of exemplary organizations, please contact the SW-PBS Consultant(s) for the region in which the school is located.
Region 1: Southeast
Region 2: Heart of Missouri
Region 3: Kansas City
Region 4: Northeast
Region 5: Northwest
Region 6: South Central
Region 7: Southwest
Region 8: Education Plus
Region 9: Central
Region 10: St. Louis County (SSD)
2019 Exemplar Schools
The 2019 Dr. Mary Richter Award School and District of distinction winners were announced prior to the Lunch Keynote at the 13th annual School-Wide Positive Behavior Support Summer Institute (SI) – Classrooms are Where It’s At For Fidelity, Consistency, and Equity. The 2019 Mary Miller Richter School of Distinction went to Reeds Spring Primary in the Reeds Spring R-IV School District. The 2019 Mary Miller Richter District of Distinction Award went to the Independence 33 School District in Independence, Missouri. Congratulations to both!
In addition, 137 Missouri schools were identified for their exemplary implementation of Schoolwide Positive Behavior Supports. These schools were also recognized at the 13th annual School-Wide Positive Behavior Support Summer Institute (SI) – Classrooms are Where It’s At For Fidelity, Consistency, and Equity during regional ceremonies on June 19, 2018. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education provided all Recognition Schools with a framed certificate. Schools earning recognition for the first time also received a banner. A Recognition Letter 2019 was sent to Recognition Schools from Dr. Nanci Johnson, Director of Missouri Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support.
Exemplary Schools 2019 Press Release
To view the recognition schools by region, click on regional link, below. For contact information of exemplary organizations, please contact the SW-PBS Consultant(s) for the region in which the school is located.
Region 1: Southeast
Region 2: Heart of Missouri
Region 3: Kansas City
Region 4: Northeast
Region 5: Northwest
Region 6: South Central
Region 7: Southwest
Region 8: Education Plus
Region 9: Central
Region 10: St. Louis County (SSD)
2018 Exemplar Schools
In addition, 148 Missouri schools were identified for their exemplary implementation of Schoolwide Positive Behavior Supports. These schools will also be recognized at the 12th annual School-Wide Positive Behavior Support Summer Institute (SI) – Creating Places Where Everyone Belongs during regional ceremonies on June 19, 2018. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will provide all Recognition Schools with a framed certificate. Schools earning recognition for the first time also receive a banner. A Recognition Letter 2018 was sent to Recognition Schools from Dr. Nanci Johnson, Director of Missouri Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support.
Exemplary Schools 2018 Press Release
To view the recognition schools by region, click on regional link, below. For contact information of exemplary organizations, please contact the SW-PBS Consultant(s) for the region in which the school is located.
Region 1: Southeast
Region 2: Heart of Missouri
Region 3: Kansas City
Region 4: Northeast
Region 5: Northwest
Region 6: South Central
Region 7: Southwest
Region 8: Education Plus
Region 9: Central
Region 10: St. Louis County (SSD)
2017 Exemplar Schools
In addition, 168 Missouri schools were identified for their exemplary implementation of Schoolwide Positive Behavior Supports. These schools will also be recognized at the 12th annual School-Wide Positive Behavior Support Summer Training Institute (STI) – Bridging the Gaps during regional ceremonies on June 14, 2017. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will provide all Recognition Schools with a framed certificate. Schools earning recognition for the first time also receive a banner. A Recognition Letter 2017 was sent to Recognition Schools from Dr. Nanci Johnson, Director of Missouri Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support.
Recognition Press Release 2017
To view the recognition schools by region, click on regional link, below. For contact information of exemplary organizations, please contact the SW-PBS Consultant(s) for the region in which the school is located.
Region 1: Southeast
Region 2: Heart of Missouri
Region 3: Kansas City
Region 4: Northeast
Region 5: Northwest
Region 6: South Central
Region 7: Southwest
Region 8: Education Plus
Region 9: Central
Region 10: St. Louis County (SSD)