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Ozark East Named a 2026 National Gold Star School

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Ozark East Named a 2026 National Gold Star School
Students and staff standing in the shape of a star

Ozark East Elementary is one of only two schools in the state of Missouri named a 2026 National Gold Star School by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). The announcement was made by NAESP on May 10, 2026.

“This is a tremendous honor that reflects our motto: Excellence Drives Us, Tradition Unites Us,” Ozark Superintendent Dr. Lori Wilson said. “This recognition stands as a testament to the dedication and passion of our staff at East, as well as educators and team members across Ozark Schools.”  

The national recognition honors schools that demonstrate outstanding leadership, innovation, and dedication to student success. Only 57 schools nationwide received this honor this year, placing East Elementary among an elite group recognized for excellence in elementary or middle-level education. In Missouri, Lewis and Clark Elementary School in Liberty also received the honor.

Students in kindergarten through fourth grade attend East Elementary, which is under the direction of Karen Capen as principal and Brianna Kelly as assistant principal. 

“We have always known that Ozark East is a special place, but it is incredibly rewarding to have that recognized on a national level,” Capen said. “Being named a National Gold Star School is a huge milestone for our school community. It validates the established positive culture we’ve worked so hard to build, our passionate educators and staff who pour their hearts into our students, and the strong foundations we’ve built to ensure every child succeeds. I’m so proud that the rest of the country now sees the same dedication and excellence that I get to witness in our hallways every single day.”

Selected through a competitive process, National Gold Star Schools are recognized for their accomplishments, based on NAESP’s framework of the Three Pillars of the Principalship:

  • Established Culture: Shared values, family engagement, and well-being.
  • Empowered People: Collaborative teaching, distributed leadership, and holistic support.
  • Optimal Systems: Effective use of talent and resources, district support, and strategic focus.

“National Gold Star Schools represent what is possible when strong leadership, dedicated educators, engaged families, and supportive communities work together,” NAESP Executive Director L. Earl Franks, Ed.D., CAE, said in a release. “These schools are models of excellence and inspiration for school leaders and schools nationwide.”

Last school year, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) named Ozark East Elementary School one of eight Missouri Gold Star Schools, marking the second time the school received that honor with the first being in 2014. 

East Administrators holding a Gold Star banner


Ozark East Elementary is one of only two schools in the state of Missouri named a 2026 National Gold Star School by National Association of Elementary School Principals. Pictured, from left, Executive Director of Elementary Learning Dr. Kent Sappington, Superintendent Dr. Lori Wilson, East Assistant Principal Brianna Kelly, East Principal Karen Capen, Executive Director of Student Services and former East Principal Dr. Anna Thurman, and Assistant Superintendent of Learning Dr. Craig Carson.