“SEMO has sponsored the Lift for Life Academy for more than 20 years,” said Southeast President Dr. Carlos Vargas. “It’s been a wonderful partnership that allows our students to gain valuable professional experience and connects LFLA students to the University.”

 The Lift for Life Academy serves the needs of an at-risk population that is approximately 97 percent African American and 100 percent free/reduced lunch. The school provides kindergarten through 12 grade education to more than 800 students.

The Missouri Board of Education approved LFLA’s five-year renewal in March 2023 with the recommendation of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Edcuation (DESE). Assessment of the school’s outcomes shows performance is improving.

Vargas said he’s pleased LFLA received an expedited renewal of its charter from the state after achieving an Annual Performance Rating in the accredited range the last three out of four reportable years.   

LFLA has developed a series of goals for the next charter term that focuses on academic performance of students such as increasing proficiency on state exams, increasing average daily attendance, and outperforming the district where the charter school resides and other schools that serve students with similar demographics and backgrounds.

The Lift for Life Academy charter was initially approved by Southeast’s then Board of Regents in April 2000.