10/03/24
Missouri Charter Schools Expand with Innovative Programs, New Seats, and Federal Support
Access to Quality Education Expands Across Missouri with CSP Grant Funding
Across Missouri, families are finding more opportunities for their children to access high-quality education through the Expanding Opportunities: Missouri Charter School Program (CSP). This initiative, supported by a $35.5 million federal grant awarded in 2023, is designed to bolster the development and expansion of quality charter schools throughout Missouri. Cycle 2 funding will provide over $2.8 million to three charter schools – Brookside Charter School in Kansas City, and St. Louis Language Immersion School (SLLIS) and Gateway Science Academy (GSA) in St. Louis – creating 376 new seats for students across the state.
This is the second of several grant cycles planned over the next five years, with the primary goal of ensuring more students have access to high-quality educational opportunities. In total, the first two cycles of the federal grant have awarded more than $10 million to charter schools across Missouri, creating over 1,400 new high-quality seats for students. This investment represents a significant step toward providing families with more educational options, reinforcing the commitment to expanding access to quality education throughout the state.
Each cycle of the CSP program enables more families in Missouri access to high-quality public schools. The impact of these funds goes beyond just numbers—it’s about creating an environment where more students can thrive academically and socially, equipping them for long-term success.
Jesse Dixon, Partner, The Opportunity Trust
A Virtual Learning Option for Kansas City Families
Brookside Charter School is expanding its Brookside Virtual Academy with an award of more than $815,000 from the CSP grant. This funding will create 126 new seats for students in 1st through 8th grade, offering a flexible, personalized virtual learning option that combines real-time interaction with teachers and peers.
Kelly Sales, Director of Development at Brookside, explains how the academy stands out: “We have live teachers that students log in to meet with face-to-face, just in a virtual setting. It’s not about replacing in-person learning but providing another high-quality option for families who need a different approach.”
During the pandemic, many families discovered the advantages of homeschooling through virtual options. Brookside Virtual Academy provides real-time interaction with certified teachers, offering a structured and engaging learning experience that caters to the diverse needs of Kansas City students and families.
For parents like Michelle Burns, who enrolled her three children in the Brookside Virtual Academy after homeschooling last year, this program offers a unique blend of flexibility and engagement.
“It’s been really nice to have them in the virtual school because now the teacher can actually teach them the lessons,” Burns shared. “It allows me to be more hands-on with what they’re learning, and they still have the same interaction with teachers and peers that they would in a traditional school.”
The funding not only ensures that more families have access to this program but also allows Brookside to invest in teacher development, classroom technology, and resources that make this virtual learning experience as effective as in-person instruction.
You can read more in-depth reporting about Brookside Virtual Academy at this link.
Multilingual Education Expansion for St. Louis Students
Meanwhile, in St. Louis, the CSP grant is fueling transformative changes at both SLLIS and GSA, with over $2 million combined funding enabling these schools to create 250 new seats and innovative learning experiences.
SLLIS is using over $380,000 of CSP funds to expand its dual-language immersion program for pre-K students, offering instruction in both French and Chinese. This investment means that more young learners will gain proficiency in multiple languages while building foundational literacy skills.
“Thanks to the CSP grant, we’re able to add two more dual-language pre-K programs over the next two years,” said Dr. Meghan Hill, Superintendent of SLLIS. “We’re thrilled to provide greater access to this unique educational experience and support our students’ early literacy development.”
SLLIS aims to enroll 40 eligible students between the Chinese and French programs, ensuring more children gain a head start in language learning that will serve them throughout their education and beyond.
Innovative Multimedia Center Shaping Career-Ready Students
Gateway Science Academy, awarded over $1,655,000, is creating 210 new seats for students in grades 7 through 12, with plans to establish a cutting-edge multimedia center.
“We’re thinking backward from the skills our students need when they graduate to ensure that they’re ready for life, technology, and career opportunities,” said Engin Blackstone, Superintendent of GSA. “This investment will enable us to create a multimedia classroom and robotics space, ultimately impacting student learning outcomes. We’re using these funds to create programs that offer essential life skills to prepare our students for future success.”
GSA’s focus on technology will not only provide students with hands-on experience but also support English Language Learners (ELL) and other students who need tailored life skills training. “Our students, especially ELL learners, will have multiple opportunities to interact with the English language, accelerating their readiness for future career paths,” Blackstone added.
A Shared Goal: Expanding Access and Quality
The Expanding Opportunities: Missouri Charter School Program (CSP) is a five-year initiative funded by a $35.5 million federal grant awarded in October 2023, marking the first time Missouri received CSP-SE funds. In its first cycle, nearly $8 million was awarded to four charter schools, creating more than 1,000 new quality education options for more students, including Kairos Academies High School, St. Louis Voices Academy of Media Arts, The Leadership School, and pending new charter school Friendly Academy.
Building on this progress, Cycle 2 has awarded over $2.8 million to Brookside Charter School, St. Louis Language Immersion School (SLLIS), and Gateway Science Academy (GSA), further expanding access to quality education across Missouri.
The Opportunity Trust administers two funding cycles per year, with the third round of federal grant applications opening in February 2025. This next cycle will invite charter public schools to apply for funds to expand their programs, as well as charter school authorizers interested in opening new charter schools in communities seeking more educational options for families. Each cycle brings us closer to ensuring that all children in Missouri have access to a place where they can thrive academically. For more information about the CSP program, visit theopportunitytrust.org/CSP.
