History

Our History

In 2000 we opened Lift For Life Academy, the first independent charter middle school in the City of St. Louis. Our Academy, sponsored by Southeast Missouri State University, provides a middle school education to students in 6th, 7th and 8th grades. When we opened, LFLA sometimes served as the school of last resort for students who had “fallen through the cracks” in public schools. Many read well below their grade level, some had learning disabilities not properly addressed, and some just didn’t see the point of going to school. But the Academy faculty believe in our students, and along with teaching them language arts, math and science, they teach the students to believe in themselves. It works!

Today, St. Louis City families choose Lift for Life Academy for their students as a creative and motivating alternative to public middle schools, and now we’re offering that same alternative for high school. Today Lift For Life Academy offers high school grades as well. We add a high school grade each year reaching our ultimate goal of a 6th-12th grade middle and high school by Fall 2011.

Students are motivated to come to school – daily attendance averages over 95 percent, as compared to 83 percent* in St. Louis Public Schools. Student test scores are climbing. By 8th grade, LFLA students’ average scale scores are better than St. Louis and Kansas City charter schools, St. Louis Public schools and comparison districts. As for LFLA high school students, when compared to other area public high schools, LFLA students outperform all others in Algebra I, Math and Communication Arts.

Our dedicated faculty and creative approach to learning sets Lift for Life Academy apart. Whether the subject is language arts, physical education or even after-school activities, we pride ourselves in our ability to reach and motivate our students.

*Source: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.