LEAP Waynesville

05/19/2026

The LEAP team loves sharing student accomplishments. Hearing our students bring their original ideas to life is truly special. Congratulations on this outstanding accomplishment, Avery! 🎼✨

If you have a chance, you should take a moment to listen to her award-winning piece. Avery’s composition is played at the 25:18 mark:
https://www.youtube.com/live/ADo_Pl9lkds?si=aYfWhkYwaRixbYWJ

Francisco wins 2nd place in Mizzou Competition

East Elementary 5th grader Avery Francisco was recognized in April 2026 for her outstanding instrumental composition, “Grün Regen (Green Rain),” during the 2026 Creating Original Music Project at University of Missouri School of Music. Avery earned 2nd place in the Elementary Instrumental category for her original work.

As part of this prestigious honor, her composition was performed by students from the University of Missouri School of Music, and she received a $200 award in recognition of her achievement.

05/16/2026

Summer Spotlight: LEAP Students Accepted to Joseph Baldwin Academy

Summer is a time to relax and unwind, but for some students, it is also a great time to engage in unique learning experiences. That is the case for LEAP students Aiden Fulkerson, Annaleigh Woodin, and Brandon Bullard. All three students were accepted to and offered spots in Joseph Baldwin Academy for Eminent Young Scholars (JBA), a pre-college experience for high achieving students hosted at Truman State University. While participating in JBA, students live in a dorm on the university campus for 3 weeks and complete a chosen course of study led by college faculty and JBA staff. While attending, Annaleigh will be participating in the “Soil to Supper” course while Brandon will study “Big History: Finding Humanity’s Place in the Universe.” Aiden has opted to pursue other opportunities this summer, including the State Civics Bee, which he qualified for earlier this semester. We are so proud of our students and cannot wait to hear about their summer adventures in August!

05/12/2026

Last week, middle school LEAP visited the St. Louis Zoo for a scavenger hunt! Along the way, students gathered facts about different animals they encountered and were spotted several times talking to zoo staff to learn more. Trips like this are a great way to practice being independent and lifelong learners in an authentic setting, helping our students grow as gifted learners beyond just academic challenge. Thank you to our elementary LEAP team chaperones and volunteer chaperones- you were a crucial part of making this trip a success!

05/12/2026

04/19/2026

Yesterday was our first Gifted Field Day and it was definitely a success! Students spent the day challenging their brains through activities like making 2D alebrijes, reimagining recycled goods, learning different thinking games, and playing chess. They even used their creativity to help their community by creating birthday cards for children in foster care. We loved seeing so many of our gifted learners working with each other and trying new things!
Thank you to our staff, family/parent, and high school student volunteers as well as our admin and custodial teams- your support helped make this event a success!

04/15/2026

Reminder: Gifted Field Day is this Saturday, April 18 from 9:30-5:15 at WMS. If you haven't RSVP'd there's still time! https://bit.ly/leapfieldday

Entry will be on the tennis court side of the building - look for the big green LEAP flag!

Don't forget to send students with lunch! Also, if you have recyclable materials that kids can cut, paint, bend, or glue, we would love to have them! Please feel free to send them in with your child.

If your child is planning to attend, please share the attached activity descriptions with them so they can have an idea of what activities they would like to do. There are a limited number of spots for each activity (though they will each be offered 4 times throughout the day). Students will receive a printed schedule the day of the event that they can customize.

If you need to reach one of us the day of the event, you can message on Remind, and you should be able to call Mrs. Wallace's extension 573-842-2550 ext. 3342

04/02/2026

The day may have started out a little rainy, but the sun eventually came out and some of our WHS LEAP students had a great campus visit at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Of everything we learned on campus today, a few details that stood out to students include the variety of majors and programs available, the university’s focus on research, and the strong sense of pride in the campus culture and traditions. Thank you to the admissions team at Mizzou for hosting us and to our wonderful student guide, Eugenia, for making us feel welcome!

03/30/2026

Middle School LEAP took advantage of today’s lovely weather to explore a unique chemical process: Saponification! Students carefully measured and mixed coconut oil, olive oil, a teacher-made lye solution (handled with care!), fragrances, and soap colors to make custom soap bars. Their projects have to cure for several weeks, but this soap and students’ custom-made, 3D printed soap dishes will be on display at Shine Night on April 30!

02/12/2026

02/12/2026

From the classroom to the Capitol!
12 of our LEAP students headed to Jefferson City today for GAM Day to advocate for gifted education. They met with Representatives Hardwick and Mayhew and Senator Brown, and were even recognized on the House floor!

Highlight of the day: When a student’s curiosity about the State Treasurer’s office turned into a private invitation! The Treasurer invited us in, let a student take a seat at his desk, and gave us a first-hand look at how our state’s finances work.

A huge thank you to our representatives, senator, and Treasurer for making our students feel so welcome and heard. Gifted education makes a difference!