Crane will be joining the Greater Ozarks Conference for the 2024-2025 school year.
In a unique move aimed at redefining the intersection of sports, activities, and academics, a consortium of visionary educational leaders and schools proudly announces the formation of the Greater Ozarks Conference (GOC). This forward-thinking alliance is set to leverage conference affiliations based upon each individual school’s needs to offer unique programs for their students while still seamlessly integrating athletics, academics, and extracurricular activities of both public and private schools.
The founding members include:
Billings
Crane
Greenwood Laboratory School
Marion C. Early
New Covenant Academy
Pleasant Hope
Spokane
These educational institutions have united under the common goal of fostering a holistic approach to student development for their varying student demographics. GOC will serve as a platform for collaborative initiatives that empower educator collaboration and students and athletes to excel not only in their chosen activities, but also in their academic pursuits.
Key Components of the Greater Ozarks Conference:
The Greater Ozarks Conference is committed to providing a unified structure for academic achievement, extracurricular opportunities, and professional collaboration. The conference will provide unprecedented flexibility for its schools to offer an array of academic and extracurricular opportunities, while maintaining conference affiliation, recognition, and collaboration.
1. Innovative Curriculum Collaboration and Integration
2. Leadership Development and Collaboration
3. Character Development
4. Academic Emphasis and Recognitions
5. Athletic Competitions and Recognitions
6. Community Engagement
Quotes from GOC Leadership:
“We are very excited to be a part of the foundation of the Greater Ozarks Conference. Conference affiliation is essential to the recognition of students and collaboration of educators leading to progressive and needed changes! The Greater Ozarks Conference provides member schools with the ability to provide sports, academics, and activities aligned to their specific schools’ needs without the potential loss of conference affiliation.” - Shaundra Ingram, Superintendent, Pleasant Hope R-VI Schools
“We are excited at the opportunities and the flexibility this new conference provides. The focus on academics, activities and athletics excites us as we look at what will meet the talents of all our students! We believe the leadership has a common vision striving towards excellence in all areas of education.”-Dr. Kelli Rogers, Superintendent, Crane R-III Schools
“Spokane is excited about the opportunities the Greater Ozarks Conference offers both students and staff. We know the importance of each child developing his or her unique strengths, and being a part of the Greater Ozarks Conference provides avenues to help students do just that. Additionally, students who find their niche and engage in extracurricular activities are more likely to graduate and achieve more positive outcomes. Being a part of the Greater Ozarks Conference will help us increase student engagement, and at the end of the day that is good for students.” Dr. Della Bell-Freeman, Spokane R-VII Schools
“Greenwood Laboratory School is proud to join a foundational movement in promoting academics, athletics, and activities in a conference format that will engage total educational opportunities for institutions.” Jeni Hopkins, Greenwood Laboratory School
The
Greater Ozarks Conference is poised to make a lasting impact on the educational landscape. The founding schools are excited to embark on this journey of innovation, collaboration, and student development. Petitioning schools will be considered for conference membership upon request.