CoxHealth and Nixa Public Schools Announce Long-Term Partnership

The Complex, Presented by CoxHealth, anchors a long-term commitment to student-athlete health and community wellness in southwest Missouri 

NIXA, Mo. June 24. 2026 — Nixa Public Schools and CoxHealth today announced a landmark community partnership that will officially rename the district's centerpiece athletics and events campus at Nixa High School as The Complex, Presented by CoxHealth.  

The multi-year agreement, effective July 1, unites two of the Nixa community's most trusted institutions and will kick off Nixa Public Schools' 125th year celebrations.  

At its core, the agreement reflects a shared belief that student health drives student success — academically, athletically, and within the community — and that CoxHealth, a health system deeply rooted in southwest Missouri, has a meaningful role to play in supporting the next generation. The Complex is the place where that belief comes to life for the communities it serves.  

A Campus Built for the Community

The Complex is southwest Missouri's most dynamic multi-use high school campus, home to The Apex, the Aetos Center for the Performing Arts, Eagle Stadium, and an expanding footprint of fields, practice facilities, educational facilities, and shared community spaces. Serving Nixa students and the broader Springfield metro region, the campus hosts thousands of athletes, performers, families, and visitors each year.  

As Nixa Public Schools continues to invest in and expand The Complex, the partnership with CoxHealth provides a foundation of community support that extends well beyond the facility's walls, connecting the campus to one of Missouri's most respected health systems.  

Dr. Gearl Loden, superintendent, stated, “In times like these where public education dollars are being cut, having partners like CoxHealth gives us the ability to keep moving forward. It also allows us to do more with our local and state funding.”  

Loden added, “Our goal is always to pay our teachers and staff well. When funding is tight, other projects are paused or pushed aside. This partnership with CoxHealth will help us continue moving forward at The Complex as we keep our eye on what could be 10, 20, and 30 years down the road for the students and community of Nixa.”  

Keeping Student-Athletes Healthy, Safe, and Strong

Among the most meaningful elements of this partnership is CoxHealth's direct commitment to the health of Nixa student-athletes. Through CoxHealth's comprehensive sports medicine program, premier physicians and athletic trainers will provide support to athletes competing at The Complex, as well as all Nixa athletic facilities, extending expert care onto the fields and courts Nixa students use each day. 

This is healthcare meeting community where it lives — not waiting for patients to come through a clinic door, but showing up in the moments that matter most to student-athletes and their families. For CoxHealth, it is a natural extension of a mission built on improving the health of every community it serves across southwest Missouri.  

“Sports medicine is about more than treating an injury after it happens — it's about being present, proactive, and accessible for student-athletes before, during, and after they compete,” says Dr. Tim Jones, CoxHealth Executive Vice President and Chief Physician Executive. “Having our highly skilled physicians and athletic trainers on-site at The Complex means Nixa student-athletes have trusted medical expertise close at hand, right where they train and compete.”  

Health and Wellness Woven Into the Fabric of The Complex

CoxHealth's health and wellness expertise will become part of everyday life for Nixa students and families. Health screenings, wellness programming, and community health resources will be made accessible in a familiar, welcoming environment, alongside ongoing messaging around nutrition, hydration, and injury prevention woven into athletic programming throughout the year.  

CoxHealth education materials will also be incorporated into classrooms and learning spaces connected to Nixa's medical training and healthcare programs, giving students early exposure to healthcare careers and expanding the district's effort to showcase career pathways before graduation.  

The partnership will also help fund improvements to the property, positioning The Complex as a high-quality venue for events and activities — and laying the infrastructure groundwork for future bond-funded projects on the high school campus.  

The result is a relationship students and families will feel in more than a name on a sign or a logo on a field — they'll see it in the resources, expertise, and care available every time they step onto The Complex.  

“Together, Nixa Public Schools and CoxHealth are building something that goes far beyond a sponsorship,” says Kyle Brown, CoxHealth's VP of Marketing and Communications. “From the classroom to The Complex, we're building a long-term community partnership designed to make Nixa a healthier, stronger, more connected place for everyone who calls it home.”  

About The Complex  

The Complex name and location will encompass the high school campus located between Nicholas Rd. and Gregg Rd. in Nixa.  

The community of Nixa has made it clear in past surveys and strategic planning that they wanted Nixa to have one high school. After that was made clear, the district explored what it would take to maximize the high school area to keep one campus.  

The district purchased the 38 acres next to the high school where the new Apex Activity Center is located. Plans were also made for how to grow and expand the entire campus, now called The Complex, for 10 to 30 years in the future. Those plans will adjust as the needs of students evolve, but the framework is there and the foundation of a place for the students, staff, and community to gather will be put in place as the development of The Complex continues.  

The Complex, Presented by CoxHealth, will be officially recognized under its new name beginning July 1.  

ABOUT COXHEALTH

CoxHealth is an award-winning, locally owned, not-for-profit regional health system serving southwest Missouri with six hospitals, more than 80 clinics, five emergency departments, and more than 14,000 employees. Missouri's first hospital system accredited by DNV Healthcare for quality and patient safety, CoxHealth is also the only Springfield-area hospital named for seven consecutive years to U.S. News & World Report's Best Regional Hospitals list. For more information, visit coxhealth.com.

ABOUT NIXA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Nixa Public Schools is one of Missouri’s premier public school districts, serving more than 6,700 students and providing a comprehensive educational experience from early childhood through high school. Guided by its mission of ensuring every student reaches their maximum potential, the district focuses on developing the knowledge, skills, character, and confidence students need to become productive and engaged citizens. Nixa emphasizes academic excellence, innovation, and student-centered learning through a variety of programs, including STEAM education, career and technical opportunities, extracurricular activities, and strong community partnerships that prepare students for success in college, careers, and life.

The district’s commitment to student achievement over the last 125 years has earned state and national recognition. Nixa Public Schools is home to multiple Missouri Gold Star Schools and National Blue Ribbon Schools, the highest honor awarded by the U.S. Department of Education.  These honors, along with numerous others, reflect the district’s sustained record of academic excellence, high expectations, effective teaching practices, and dedication to ensuring every student thrives. Through a culture that values continuous improvement and innovation, Nixa Public Schools continues its legacy of excellence while maintaining a steadfast focus on educating and empowering all learners for the future.