The Missouri Board of Education approved the first charter school in Columbia earlier this month. Set to open in the fall of 2027, the school, sponsored by St. Louis University, will come nearly three years after state legislators approved charter expansion into Boone County. The school will be managed by Frontier Schools, an organization recognized as one of the most successful charter operators in Missouri. Frontier has built a reputation for contributing to strong academic outcomes. While the move has faced some local criticism, the approval represents a significant step forward in expanding school choice and providing families with alternative instructional models.
Evidence highlighted by Show-Me Institute researchers shows that charter schools are disproportionately represented among “Bright Spot” schools nationwide; that is, schools where students consistently exceed expectations academically. And Missouri charter schools are doing even better—ours are among the most effective in the country in terms of improving academic achievement relative to their traditional public-school alternatives.
The introduction of a charter school does not replace existing public schools; instead, it adds another option for parents and students to address their diverse needs. The move signals broader momentum for school choice across Missouri. It represents an important step toward a much more diverse and adaptable educational system, one designed to give every student access to high-quality instruction and the opportunity to succeed.
