Head Start
Hanthorn
1511 S Kings Hwy, Independence, MO 64055
Run by Independence School District
Head Start centers / Missouri / Independence
Head Start
William Southern
A Head Start center in Independence, Missouri, run by Independence School District.
Center details
Program: Head Start
Ages served: Head Start: children ages 3 to 5
Address: 4300 S Phelps Rd, Independence, MO 64055
County: Jackson
Run by: Independence School District, Independence, MO
Federal grant ID (for reference): 07CH012381
Funded seats at this site: Head Start: 90. These are total funded seats, not how many are open.
Phone: (816) 521-5475
To apply, call: (816) 521-5300
Every Head Start program must meet federal quality rules for early learning, health and family support. When you call, ask: How do I apply and what documents do I bring? Is there a waitlist? Is the day full or part? Is there transportation?
Who can enroll
Head Start serves children ages 3 to 5 (ask the center about its birthday cutoff date). Early Head Start serves pregnant women, babies and toddlers under 3. Both are free for families who qualify.
Families usually qualify when household income is at or below the federal poverty guideline for their family size, or when the family gets public assistance such as TANF or SSI, the child is in foster care, or the family is experiencing homelessness. Programs may also enroll some children from families just above the guideline, and each program sets its own application steps and waitlist, so ask the center.
Official HHS poverty guidelines (current year) · Head Start's own center locator
More Head Start locations in Independence
Head Start
Korte
2437 S Hardy Ave, Independence, MO 64052
Run by Independence School District
Head Start
Mill Creek
2601 N Liberty St, Independence, MO 64050
Run by Independence School District
Head Start and Early Head Start
Render's Hope
1316 S Osage St, Independence, MO 64055
Run by Mid America Regional Council
Head Start
Santa Fe Trail Elementary
1301 Windsor St, Independence, MO 64055
Run by Mid America Regional Council
Early Head Start
Sunshine Center
18400 E Salisbury Rd, Independence, MO 64056
Run by Independence School District
Other options near Independence
Licensed child care and after-school programs in Independence · Missouri child care rules
Source: Head Start Service Location Dataset, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Head Start (CSV file), file dated November 8, 2026. The information is reported by each Head Start grant recipient and can be out of date, so call the center to confirm its address, hours and openings. Locations the program lists as closed are left out. Home-based locations show city and ZIP code only. A listing is not an endorsement.
Something wrong? Head Start centers update their own records with the Office of Head Start; you can also tell us and we'll fix or remove this page.