Tiger Paw Again Receives Grant to Pay Tuition for Preschool Families

For the second consecutive year, Ozark’s Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center received a grant allowing families to save money. Valued up to $780,000, the grant will pay tuition for students who will enter kindergarten in the 2026-27 school year.

“I am so glad that the state of Missouri acknowledges the importance of early intervention and education,” said Kent Sappington, executive director of elementary learning. “What a blessing this is to the parents of our enrolled 4-year-olds.”

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education awarded Tiger Paw the one-year Missouri Quality PreKindergarten — known as MOQPK — grant, which covers tuition for up to 120 4-year-old preschool students, regardless of the family’s income. Tiger Paw also received this grant for the 2024-25 school year. 

“Receiving this grant for the second year in a row is an incredible blessing for our families,” Superintendent Dr. Lori Wilson said. “I’m so proud of our elementary administrators for their continued initiative and commitment to supporting our students and their families in meaningful ways.”

Tiger Paw currently offers three preschool classrooms for 3- and 4-year-olds and a total of six preschool classrooms for 4- and 5-year-olds, serving a total of 180 children. In order for a family to qualify for the MOQPK grant, however, the child must be 4 years old by July 31, 2025.   

Tiger Paw is home to Ozark’s youngest learners and houses five different programs. Aside from preschool, Tiger Paw’s programs include Early Childhood Special Education, Parents as Teachers, transitional kindergarten and district employee childcare. Learn more about Tiger Paw and all it has to offer at tigerpaw.ozarktigers.org.