Charter School Office
Continue to main contentSoutheast Missouri State University sponsors one charter public Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) consisting of Pre-K, one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school in St. Louis, Missouri.
A charter school is an independent public school that operates under a contract, (referred to as the "charter") with its sponsor, usually a public entity such as a state university. For more information on charter schools, visit the Missouri Charter Public School Association. Please also visit the National Association of Charter School Authorizers for more information on charter school authorizers and sponsors.
For more information about SEMO-sponsored charter schools, consult the Charter School Handbook. If you have any issues accessing the handbook, please call the College of Education, Health, and Human Studies at (573) 651-2123. Any additional questions, contact Ronald Tucker, SEMO Charter School Liaison.
Lift for Life Academy
Lift For Life Academy, located in the historic building that once served as the Manufacturers Bank and Trust and later as Mercantile Bank, opened in 2000 as the first independent charter school in St. Louis, Missouri. Initially focused on middle school students, the Academy was founded on the belief that a high-quality education could provide a pathway out of poverty. Building on early success, the Academy expanded its campus to include a high school in 2008 and an elementary school in 2019. Today, Lift For Life Academy delivers a purposeful, quality education from kindergarten through high school graduation. This growth has enabled the Academy to achieve its long-term vision of becoming a comprehensive institution, now serving nearly 900 students. The Academy benefits from engaged students, the leadership of a strong and stable Board of Directors, a dedicated administrative team, committed faculty and staff, and a 25-year partnership with its charter sponsor, Southeast Missouri State University.
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701