About Us

Open since January 2011, Mallory Early Childhood Center houses early childhood special education and Wonder Years classrooms along with speech pathologists, physical and occupational therapists, the ECSE assessment team, and administrative staff.

Originally called Shining Stars Early Childhood Center, the facility was renamed in 2020 to honor long-time southwest Missouri educator, Dr. Arthur L. Mallory.  Dr. Mallory was president of Southwest Missouri State College (now Missouri State University) from 1964-1971 and Missouri Commissioner of Education for 18 years until his retirement in 1988.  Dr. Mallory was instrumental in promoting and expanding early childhood services in Missouri, which served as a model for other states to follow.