A Queen City foundation is granting Springfield Public Schools students a chance to further their education next summer at Missouri State University.  

The Schneider Foundation awarded $36,000 to Missouri State’s TRIO Upward Bound program for the 2026 Summer Academic Academy program.  

The summer program is a comprehensive six-week hybrid program offering a simulated college experience on the Mo State campus. Participants engage in rigorous coursework, including math, science, literature and foreign language, alongside enrichment classes and physical education options.  

The program includes a residential week to provide an immersive mock college experience, enhancing participants’ readiness for post-secondary education. Students can earn high school credit or dual credit, with coursework designed to build critical academic skills, foster cultural appreciation and promote personal development.  

“We are incredibly grateful for the Schneider Foundation’s generous support of our 2026 Summer Academic Academy,” said Nicholas Horne, director of TRIO Upward Bound. “While TRIO programs are federally funded, the work we do is hyper-local. A common phrase across TRIO programs is, ‘TRIO is Family.’ Because our work is intentional with students and families, we see these participants grow up in our program.  

“This new partnership with the Schneider Foundation is the result of continued relationship building, and we hope it marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration that will continue to uplift students in our community for years to come.” 

Founded in 1989, the Schneider Foundation has awarded nearly $7 million in grants with a focus on supporting education for self-motivated, exceptional children in pre-college programs within the greater Springfield area. 

What’s covered 

The grant will help cover most operational costs for the summer academy. This includes transportation for students, meals, classroom supplies, dual credit textbooks, room and board for residency week, and additional summer activity fees.  

With additional funding to offset operational costs, the summer program will have the ability to pursue new innovative initiatives, including:  

• Attending a student leadership conference and a policy seminar in Washington, D.C., for Upward Bound ambassadors 
• Developing and implementing the Bonner Leadership Fellowship program offering dual credit opportunities and a pathway for students to start a fellowship program 
• Forming partnerships with Missouri State’s office of citizenship and service-learning and Leadership Springfield 
• Offering more frequent ACT/SAT Prep workshops and advanced tutoring assistance for the upcoming academic year  

Who’s eligible 

The grant will serve SPS students who are active participants in the Upward Bound program.  

These students range from rising sophomores to rising seniors attending Hillcrest, Parkview and Central high schools. Roughly two-thirds of these students are both first-generation and low-income students who are seeking to pursue post-secondary education.  

What’s TRIO  

The TRIO Upward Bound program at Missouri State helps students with the skills and motivation needed to excel in high school, and to attend and finish a four-year college program.    

As a federally funded grant program, all services are free to accepted participants. At Missouri State, the program is 100% funded by the U.S. Department of Education with $1.5 million for 2022-27.  TRIO is a collection of eight educational opportunity programs funded by the Department of Education.     

The initial Upward Bound grant came to Missouri State in 1972 and has continuously served students since.  The program is funded to serve 54 high school students at SPS.