Missouri Charter Schools
Missouri charter schools are publicly funded, independently operated schools that do not charge tuition and are open to all students via lottery enrollment (if demand exceeds capacity).
Program Type: Free public schools with operational flexibility
Tuition: $0 – Completely FREE. Missouri charter schools are publicly funded and do not charge tuition.
Current Status – Major Charter School Presence:
Kansas City Area:
- ~40 charter schools operating
- 47.9% of Kansas City students attend charter schools (nearly half of all students)
- One of the highest charter school enrollment rates in the nation
St. Louis Area:
- ~36 charter schools operating
- 41.8% of St. Louis students attend charter schools
- Strong charter school presence throughout the region
Boone County (Columbia Area):
- Charter expansion authorized for counties with 150,000-200,000 population
- Charter schools beginning to expand into Columbia area
Federal Support: The Expanding Opportunities Missouri Charter School Program, a U.S. Department of Education grant ($35.5 million), supports expansion of quality charter schools statewide
How Charter Schools Differ from Traditional Public Schools:
Autonomy:
- Greater freedom over curriculum design and teaching methods
- Flexibility in hiring and staffing decisions
- Control over budgeting and resource allocation
- Ability to create specialized programs and school cultures
Accountability:
- Must deliver academic results to retain sponsorship and charter renewal
- Held accountable by authorizers (typically universities or charter management organizations)
- Exempt from some state regulations but must meet academic accountability standards
- Can be closed if they fail to meet performance standards
Cost and Admissions:
- Free to attend – No tuition charged
- No special entrance requirements – Open to all students
- Lottery-based admission if applications exceed available seats
- First-come, first-served if spaces remain unfilled after lottery deadline
Enrollment Model:
- When applications exceed available seats, schools use lottery systems
- When spaces remain unfilled, students admitted on first-come, first-served basis
- No discrimination based on academic ability, disabilities, or special needs
Application Timeline:
Kansas City:
- Application Period: November – March
- Opens: November
- Lottery Deadline: Early March
- Results Released: Mid-March
- Apply through: SchoolAppKC
St. Louis:
- Application Period: November – February
- Priority deadline varies by school
- Apply through: SchoolAppSTL
Boone County (Columbia):
- Application timelines vary by individual school
- Check with specific charter schools for deadlines
Special Education: Missouri charter schools are public schools and must comply with all federal and state special education laws. Students with IEPs are entitled to the same services as in traditional public schools.
Transportation: Policies vary by school. Some charter schools provide transportation; others do not. Check with individual schools about transportation availability.
Finding Charter Schools:
- Kansas City: Show Me KC Schools (showmekcschools.org)
- St. Louis: Show Me MO Schools (schoolappstl.org)