The Robert W. Plaster Center for Student Success

LEBANON, MO — What was once the VF Factory Outlet Mall is completing another phase of transformation into the Robert W. Plaster Center for Student Success (RWP CSS), a vibrant hub for education, healthcare partnerships, and community opportunity. 

 

This summer, the Lebanon R-3 School District will complete the infill and renovation of 25,325 square feet of interior space. This milestone marks a major step forward in expanding real-world learning and career-connected experiences for local students.

District leaders emphasize that repurposing the facility is a strategic, fiscally responsible move that complements ongoing facility improvements across the district, including the Lebanon High School reconstruction. The transformation of Robert W. Plaster Center for Student Success has been made possible through multiple funding sources and partnerships. These include a $1 million donation from the Plaster family, a $5 million state grant shared with Jordan Valley Community Health Center, $4.5 million made available by federal relief efforts efforts, a $1 million Career and Technical Education (CTE) Construction Grant used to help construct and renovate educational spaces within the facility, and approximately $1 million invested by the City of Lebanon.

By combining over $12 million in grants, donations, partnerships, and existing funding sources from outside the District, Lebanon R-3 has been able to maximize resources while creating expanded opportunities for students, families, workforce partners, and the Lebanon community.

"Thanks to the immense generosity of the Plaster Foundation, this 102,656-square-foot facility has allowed us to address critical district needs while remaining responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars," said Dr. David Schmitz, Superintendent of Lebanon Schools. "Infilling an existing structure is significantly more cost-effective than new construction, allowing us to maximize resources while building expanded opportunities for students and strengthening Lebanon’s future workforce pipeline."

Uniting Education From Preschool to Career

The renovated space within the Robert W. Plaster Center for Student Success will house a dynamic environment where high school students engage in real-world learning. This upcoming school year, the newly completed space will bring several future-focused programs together in one building, including:

• The Medical and Business Schools of Discovery: A personalized, micro-school model for Lebanon high schoolers focused on competency-based, real-world skills.
• Lebanon Technology and Career Center (LTCC) Programs: Including advanced tracks like Project Lead The Way Biomedical Science and Teaching Professions. 
• Greater Ozarks Center for Advanced Professional Studies (GOCAPS): The highly successful GOCAPS program, which serves learners in Lebanon and the surrounding areas.

In these spaces, students will collaborate with local businesses, educators, and healthcare providers to explore high-demand career paths, including Business and Entrepreneurship, Medicine and Healthcare, Teaching Professions, and Engineering and Manufacturing. Students will gain hands-on experience through job shadowing and internships, with some directly within the Robert W. Plaster Center for Student Success itself, including the Jordan Valley Clinic and Lebanon Early Childhood classrooms.

District teachers have shared that these expanded learning spaces are designed to encourage collaboration, innovation, and authentic workplace experiences for students. “As GOCAPS facilitators, we are so excited and thankful for our new classroom spaces and the opportunities they will create for our students,” shared Sarah Light. “Celebrating our 10th anniversary in classrooms designed for collaboration and innovation is an exciting step forward for our programs. These new spaces will give our students even more opportunities to engage in real-world learning by connecting, problem-solving, and working alongside industry professionals. We believe these environments will encourage greater student ownership, stronger teamwork, and more authentic learning experiences as we continue helping students prepare for future careers and life beyond the classroom."

A Strong Foundation: The Early Childhood Center & Jordan Valley

While the infill expands opportunities for upper grade levels, the building is already firmly anchored by programs serving Lebanon's youngest learners and their families.

The Lebanon Early Childhood Center (ECC) officially opened its doors within the facility in 2023 and now serves more than 200 preschool students annually. The ECC provides a nurturing foundation through its Pre-K program for four-year-olds, Early Childhood Special Education (serving ages 3–5), and the Parents as Teachers program, which supports families from the prenatal stage through kindergarten entry.

Across the hall from ECC is a unique partnership with the Jordan Valley Health Center’s Women and Children’s Clinic, which operates directly on-site. Supported by the Junior Jacket Care Team and a dedicated School Social Worker, the clinic provides direct preventative medical care, dental, vision, and therapy services, ensuring Lebanon R-3 students and families receive the support they need to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

Strengthening Lebanon’s Future Workforce

This phase of construction builds upon successful, existing partnerships within the facility, such as the 3,500-square-foot Medical Simulation Lab, which opened in October 2025 through a joint effort with Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC) and the City of Lebanon.

The lab allows students in the Medical School of Discovery to train on advanced equipment side-by-side with area first responders and local healthcare providers, including CoxHealth, Jordan Valley, Lake Regional, and Mercy. This "grow your own" approach is building a pipeline of professionals who can live, work, and serve in Lebanon for years to come. 

The Center will play an important role in helping students build careers locally while strengthening the long-term workforce and economic future of the Lebanon area.

Lebanon High School Counselor Heidi Conti said, “I am very excited for the new learning spaces at the Center because I think it will raise expectations in a positive way. When the physical environment is professional, welcoming, and of high quality, it encourages and inspires students to bring their best work. I look forward to the design supporting creativity and collaboration from the students. These new spaces will help continue the process of making meaningful connections and future success!”
 

 

 

 

 

A Bright Future

By bringing these programs together, the Robert W. Plaster Center for Student Success supports learners from preschool through graduation and into their careers. Students, families, professionals, and community partners are learning and working side by side, making the facility a hub for opportunity in Lebanon.

Biomedical Sciences teacher, Dalton Pierce said, “Keith Davis had a vision for what the Biomedical Program could be here at the LTCC and just like he hoped, we’ve grown beyond our current space! This new lab space, built for Biomed, is going to be a lightning rod of inspiration, growth and innovation for our students that are going to one day positively impact our community! I’m so thankful to be a part of this!”

The Robert W. Plaster Center for Student Success represents more than a building project. It reflects a long-term investment in students, workforce readiness, healthcare partnerships, and the future of the Lebanon community. By bringing education, industry, and community organizations together in one location, The Center creates opportunities for students to learn alongside professionals while helping strengthen the local workforce pipeline for years to come.

High School Counselor Toni Redick believes students are eager for the opportunities the Robert W. Plaster Center for Student Success will provide. “I am beyond excited that our students have this extraordinary opportunity in a real world environment,” Redick said. As a school counselor who works directly with GOCAPS and School of Discovery students, I know that our students are looking forward to this experience.”

Built for Student-Centered Learning

Several Lebanon R-3 staff members who will teach inside the Robert W. Plaster Center for Student Success have helped shape the vision for the facility and are excited about the opportunities it will create for students. Their collaboration and passion for innovative learning environments have played an important role in bringing the project to life.

Tim Bugg shared his excitement about the opportunities the facility will create through collaboration and real-world experiences.

“I am excited about the opportunity to move into the [Robert W. Plaster] Center for Student Success and to be part of a space designed to expand opportunities for all students,” Bugg said. “I am also looking forward to working closely with the GOCAPS teachers to help connect classroom learning with authentic workplace experiences. Soft skills are extremely important to successful employment, and while we can teach and practice them in class, they are best developed through real-world situations and meaningful interactions.”

 

 

Substantial completion of the infill project is expected in June 2026, with doors officially opening to students for the start of the 2026–2027 school year in August. An official ribbon cutting ceremony will be scheduled in August. By bringing preschool through career-level training together, the Robert W. Plaster Center for Student Success stands as a lasting example of what is possible when schools, healthcare providers, businesses, and community partners unite to invest in the future of Lebanon.