The roots of the Hollister R-V School District stretch back to 1913, when the original Hollister Elementary School, a small frame schoolhouse built high on a hilltop east of Turkey Creek, was constructed. The school served students through eighth grade and was led by its first teacher, Nina Wilkerson of Springfield, Missouri. In the early years, students crossed Turkey Creek using a newly built swinging bridge and a steel bridge constructed in 1912. However, a steep hill still separated students from their school.

In a remarkable show of community spirit and problem-solving, the first Boy Scout troop in Southwest Missouri, Troop No. 1—founded by Missouri Pacific Railroad landscape engineer Jerry Butterfield—built a set of steps up the hill to improve access. These early steps, originally made of dirt and logs, were replaced with concrete in the late 1920s and early 1930s and still stand today at the intersection of St. James Street and BB Highway.

As the community of Hollister grew, so did its schools. The original building near Turkey Creek was soon relocated to the corner of Hawthorne Street and BB Highway. In 1926, a four-year high school program was added. By the 1930s, the district housed all 12 grades under one roof. A fire in 1949 destroyed the building, prompting a rebuilding effort that included the addition of an elementary wing.

In 1951, modernization continued with the addition of a home economics classroom and an electric scoreboard in the gymnasium. A separate elementary building was constructed in 1964, followed by another expansion in 1972. During this time, the district remained independent despite talks of consolidation with neighboring Branson.

The 1980s brought further development. A new high school was constructed on BB Highway, opening for the 1985–86 school year. New softball and baseball fields were also added, addressing the need for dedicated athletic facilities. Before then, student-athletes practiced at Kanakuk and competed on the road.

In 1992, an addition to the high school began and opened the following year as Hollister Middle School. In 2000, a new elementary school was built south of the high school, and the original hilltop building was sold and later became Trinity Christian School. By 2005, a newly constructed high school building was completed for grades 9–12.

In 2011, the district opened its Early Childhood Center (ECC), serving Pre-K through 1st grade. The ECC emphasizes early literacy and student safety and has been honored with multiple Branson Tri-Lakes News Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Daycare in 2023 and 2024. Principal Mark Waugh was also named Best Principal during those years.

In recent years, the Hollister R-V School District has continued to grow while prioritizing safety, innovation, and academic excellence. A no-tax-increase bond issue passed in 2021 allowed for improved traffic flow, additional turning lanes and sidewalks, a new drop-off and pick-up loop at the ECC, and renovations to the middle school—the district’s oldest building, originally constructed in 1985. Another no-tax-increase bond passed in 2024 funded the addition of an agriculture classroom at the school farm, a new Tiger Activity Community Center, a standalone cafeteria and gym remodel at the ECC, and additional upgrades at the high school and middle school.

Today, the district serves students from birth through graduation—all on one centralized campus. Hollister Early Childhood Center houses preschool through 1st grade. Hollister Elementary School serves students in 2nd through 5th grades, providing leadership opportunities and personal goal-setting. Hollister Middle School serves grades 6–8 with a focus on respect, academic challenge, and preparation for future success. Hollister High School offers grades 9–12 with robust opportunities for college and career readiness.

Hollister Schools have received numerous accolades:

• Hollister Early Childhood Center — Best Daycare (2023, 2024)
• Hollister Elementary School — Silver (2023), Bronze (2025) in Best of Southwest Missouri; Best Principal (2023, 2024)
• Hollister Middle School — Silver (2023), Gold (2024, 2025) in Best of Southwest Missouri
• Hollister High School — Silver (2023, 2024, 2025); Best Coach and Best Teacher awards in 2023 and 2024

The district maintains full accreditation from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and received the 2019 MASA Innovation Award.

The Hollister R-V School District remains focused on its mission: “All students will succeed, as success is our only option.” The district values student engagement, community partnerships, and professional learning—creating a culture where students live, study, and grow together as lifelong learners.