Tri-Lakes Education News
- Submitted to Branson Globe
- 3 hours ago
- 9 min read
BRANSON SCHOOLS
Branson High School Courtwarming candidates announced
Branson High School’s 2026 Courtwarming King and Queen candidates and court have been announced.
Senior candidates: Andrew Alvarez, Aubree Couch, Trevlyn Eilers, Kaylian Gomez, Makenzie Hudson and Boston Nichols.
Juniors: Jonah Conque, Sayoni Patel, Joyce Shook and Tristen Smith. Sophomores: Ashiani Allen, Brody Clifton, Kegan Frieze and Makinley Zeller. Freshmen: Tensley Asbury, Jordan Curtis, Landon Harris and Brynlee Pufall.
The Courtwarming King and Queen will be crowned at approximately 6:45 p.m. following the Junior Varsity Boys Basketball game on Friday, February 20, at Branson High School. Plan to stay and root for the home team as the Branson Pirates face the Hillcrest Hornets. Tickets to the basketball game can be purchased at the door and are $4 for adults, $2 for students, free of charge for age 60 and above, and free of charge for Branson High School students that present a school ID.
COLLEGE OF THE OZARKS
College of the Ozarks names Cody Pentecost as head baseball coach
Cody Pentecost, a former College of the Ozarks Bobcat Baseball standout and current assistant coach on the Bobcat coaching staff, has been named the ninth head baseball coach in program history. Pentecost will take the reins in 2026-27 as longtime coach Neale Richardson retires following the 2026 season.
Pentecost joined the Bobcat coaching staff in 2024 after serving as an assistant coach at Mission University, head coach and general manager of the Queen City Crush, and as an assistant coach at New Covenant Academy in Springfield, Missouri.
“We are excited to announce Coach Cody Pentecost as our next head baseball coach,” said College of the Ozarks Athletic Director Steve Shepherd. “Cody’s coaching philosophy models the College of the Ozarks mission to pursue excellence on the field of play and as a platform to glorify God. Along with continuing the tradition of Bobcat Baseball on the field, Cody will do a great job of investing spiritually in the lives of the young men in our baseball program and will be an asset to our campus community. Cody has been a successful player and coach, and we are looking forward to his leadership and continued success of our baseball program.”
“It is an incredible honor to have the opportunity to be the head baseball coach at College of the Ozarks,” Pentecost said. “C of O is such a special place to me and my family, and we are grateful to lead the program that had such a transformational impact on me as a player. To be entrusted to take the torch from Coach Richardson – one of the greatest coaches in Southwest Missouri – and lead this program is the opportunity of a lifetime. We are excited to continue pouring into the team and campus, building on the rich traditions that will allow us to have a bright future.”
Pentecost is a graduate of Lebanon High School (Lebanon, Missouri) where he was First Team All-State, and his .512 batting average and defensive abilities earned him District 10 Player of the Year and Ozark Conference Player of the year honors in 2011. With multiple opportunities to continue his playing career, Pentecost returned to his roots, having grown up spending much time on the College of the Ozarks campus. With a deep family heritage at C of O, and many personal connections as well, Bobcat Baseball was a natural fit.
As a Bobcat, Pentecost was a four-year starter in centerfield and was recognized as a premier defensive outfielder who also turned in a career batting average of .337, including .412 during his senior campaign, ranking in the top 25 in the NAIA. He also ranked in the top 40 in the NAIA for hits per game in 2015. He led the Bobcats in batting average, on-base percentage, walks, and stolen bases in three of his four years, runs scored two years, and slugging percentage, doubles, and OPS in 2015. He was named First Team All-MCAC, MCAC Gold Glove Outfield, and was honored as the NAIA Champion of Character in 2015.
In his career after C of O, Pentecost remained connected to the athletic scene as an area director for Fellowship of Christian Athletes in the greater Springfield, Missouri, area and most recently the director of college ministry with FCA for all the colleges and universities in Springfield. Through his role, he was able to connect with coaches from each of the institutions and focused on the growth and development of coaches and athletes, both in and outside of their sport.
Pentecost has played a pivotal role in leading multiple teams and programs in the Ozarks. He served as an assistant coach at New Covenant Academy (2017-2020), and as head coach and general manager of an FCA summer collegiate baseball program, the Queen City Crush (2018-2023). The Crush competed in the Show-Me Collegiate League and made a solid impact from the onset. Pentecost developed the Crush organization with the FCA baseball model, and his recruiting ability was evident as players from all over the country came to compete in the Ozarks. Players from coast to coast including California, New Jersey, Hawaii, and 14 other states joined the Crush program. Through the Crush, Pentecost coached 28 SMCL All-Stars, four consecutive SMCL Pitchers of the Year, 16 NCAA Division I players, and four players that went on to play professionally. He also has taken multiple Crush teams and other area coaches on baseball mission trips to the Dominican Republic.
As an assistant coach at Mission University (2021-2024), Pentecost helped start the baseball program which saw immediate success. With back-to-back 30-win seasons and a record setting 40-win season (2023), the Patriots won Regional Championships and made NCCAA World Series appearances in 2023 and 2024. He coached the team defense to a school record in fielding percentage (.960) in 2023 and implemented the team offensive philosophy for a program best team batting average (.318) in 2024. During his time at Mission, he coached 11 All-Southwest Conference honorees, five Southwest Conference Gold Glove honorees, five NCCAA All Central Region players, and two NCCAA World Series All-Tournament Team selections.
Pentecost received his undergraduate degree in Exercise Science from College of the Ozarks in 2015 and his Master of Science in Sports Management degree from Missouri Baptist University in 2021. He will also be serving as an assistant professor in the College of the Ozarks Physical Education Department. Cody and his wife Nickie have four daughters — Camryn, Leighton, Kendall and Austyn.
LEGACY ACADEMY
Legacy Academy secures a permanent home
Legacy Academy, a classical Christian education school in Branson, is proud to announce the successful purchase of its current campus, marking a major milestone in the school’s continued growth and long-term stability.
According to Mrs. Kathryn Jones, Legacy’s Assistant Head of School, the purchase represents the culmination of more than five years of planning and prayer. “We are so thrilled to finalize this purchase,” Jones said. “Owning our campus gives us permanence and provides our families with confidence that Legacy is growing and moving forward in all the right ways.”
Legacy Academy currently serves more than 250 students, with enrollment expected to continue increasing. In 2024, the school became the 67th school nationwide to receive accreditation from the Association of Classical Christian Schools—an organization widely recognized for its rigorous accreditation standards. “Achieving accreditation last year and now purchasing our campus are two major milestones,” Jones added. “Together, they show that Legacy is strongly moving forward.”
Lisa Taylor, Legacy’s Board President, reflected on the significance of the achievement. “Over the years, we have seen how God has faithfully provided for Legacy, and this is just another demonstration of His goodness,” Taylor said. “This is only the beginning for Legacy, and we are eager to see where God leads us next and how He will use our school to impact our local community.”
Looking ahead, Legacy Academy will add a 10th grade for the 2026–2027 school year. For the upcoming academic year, only three 10th grade spots remain available, and the kindergarten class is already filling quickly.
Families interested in enrolling their child or learning more about available openings are encouraged to call 417-226-2319 or email Assistant Head of School Kathryn Jones at kjones@legacybranson.com.
REEDS SPRING SCHOOLS
Reeds Spring Schools plans annual Golden Friends Luncheon
Anyone 55 or older is invited to Reeds Spring Schools for the district’s annual Golden Friends Luncheon on Wednesday, March 11. This is a way for Reeds Spring Schools to thank the community for its support and to show the exciting things happening around the district.The event begins at 12 p.m. inside the high school’s auxiliary gym. Guests will receive a free meal and will be entertained by student bands and choirs. You can register for the event on the district website, www.rs-wolves.com, or by calling 417-272-8173 extension 4023.
Reeds Spring Intermediate School Learners of the Month
Reeds Spring Middle School H.O.W.L. students
Reeds Spring School District Excellence Award Winners
Each month, the Reeds Spring School District recognizes one non-teaching staff member and one certified teacher as Excellence Award winners. The winners for January are Dawn Schade and Caitlyn Dettmer. Schade is the district’s Technology Integration Specialist, and Dettmer is a sixth-grade teacher at Reeds Spring Intermediate School. The district accepts Excellence Award nominations from students, staff, parents, and community members. You can find the nomination form at www.rs-wolves.com.
Reeds Spring School District names two new Assistant Principals for next year
As part of its continued focus on supporting students and staff, Reeds Spring Schools will welcome two new administrators for the 2026–2027 school year. Mrs. Lacie Reinsch will become Assistant Principal at Reeds Spring Elementary School, and Dr. Thomas O’Connor will become Assistant Principal at Reeds Spring Intermediate School.
Reinsch currently serves as the Behavior Intervention Specialist at Reeds Spring Elementary. Principal Dr. Laura Weber said Reinsch’s experience and strong connection to the school community make her an excellent fit for the role.
“Mrs. Reinsch brings a steady, student-centered leadership style and a deep understanding of the needs of our school,” Weber said. “She is highly respected by both staff and students and has built meaningful relationships that strengthen our learning community. Her passion for supporting kids and adults alike will continue to move our work forward, and I am thrilled to welcome her to our administrative team.”
“I am excited and honored to serve as the next Assistant Principal at Reeds Spring Elementary, a school community I already know and love! I look forward to continuing to support our students, staff and families in this new role,” Reinsch said.
O’Connor is currently the Assistant Principal at Boyd Elementary in Springfield. Earlier in his career, he taught fifth and sixth grade at RSIS.
“We are proud to welcome Dr. Thomas O’Connor back to RSIS,” said Principal Andrea Chavez. “He brings a strong instructional foundation and a collaborative leadership style to this role. He is widely respected for the meaningful relationships he builds with both students and staff, and he has long been a positive role model for our children. Those strengths will continue to support and advance our shared vision for high-quality teaching and learning.”
“I'm so excited to be coming back to the Reeds Spring community to serve as Assistant Principal,” O’Connor said. “Even more exciting is that I get to join the amazing team at the Intermediate School! This community and district have a special place in my heart, and I was grateful to get the opportunity to make my way back to the pack. Reeds Spring has some of the best students and teachers, really making large strides to grow each and every day. I can't wait to walk back into RSIS next school year!”
Wolves win conference wrestling meet
For the second year in a row, Reeds Spring High School’s wrestling team won the Mid-Lakes Conference Tournament. The Wolves had seven individual champions in their weight classes. Congratulations to Aidan McAtee, Brayden Colon, Isaiah Hays, Kadyn Allerton, Kyler Allerton, RJ Clouse and Bella Yartz.Later in the week at the Buffalo Tournament, Kadyn Allerton won the 138-pound weight class, and McAtee placed fourth at 126.
Girls Basketball The Lady Wolves split two games last week, losing to Clever 44-42 and beating Forsyth 55-27.
Boys Basketball The Wolves dropped both games, losing to Clever 73-44 and to Forsyth 73-39.
SCHOOL OF THE OZARKS
School of the Ozarks to host 2026 Classical Christian Educators Conference
School of the Ozarks will host its annual Classical Christian Educators (CCE) Conference at College of the Ozarks March 6 - 7, 2026. This conference explores the practical aspects of teaching classically within today’s classrooms.
This conference aims to equip teachers with practical tools through workshops that include ideas and tips from seasoned classical educators and allow time for Q&A and discussion. The conference is designed around three plenary lectures and over 30 workshops spread out over six breakout sessions.
Dr. Brian Polk serves as director of the Center for Classical Christian Education at School of the Ozarks.
“I hope the CCE Conference encourages educators in their walk with Jesus and their calling to classical Christian education. I hope this conference will benefit their students as they commit to growing in the art of teaching,” Polk said.
Under a classical Christian model, schools integrate a liberal arts curriculum with a Christian worldview. Rooted in the trivium – grammar, logic and rhetoric – it seeks to cultivate individuals who think critically and communicate clearly, all while emphasizing Christlike character and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty.
Guest speakers this year include Davies Owens, host of the podcast “Basecamp Live,” which discusses classical Christian education, and Kyle Rapinchuck, head of school at Sager Classical Academy, who will be speaking on the topic of classical Christian education as discipleship.
The cost of attendance is $79. Registration will remain open until all available spots are filled.