2023 Best Charter Schools in the St. Louis Area

• St Louis, MO•

• Public School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Alum: It was a great small learning environment with lots of individual time with teachers and many unique opportunities to work in groups, figure things out on one's own, and to get involved in the community. I would highly recommend this school!... Read 1 review

• grade A minus

• Students 230

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Gateway Science Academy of St. Louis, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  27 reviews

Alum: As an alumni, I had a great experience at Gateway Science Academy. Free being the best part! Gateway Science Academy made me feel like there was always a safe place to go and many different resources to help me succeed. Since graduating they have done major renovations to improve all the way around. If you’re looking for a balance between academics , sports and extra curricular activities Gateway is the place for your children!... Read 27 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 324

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Gateway Science Academy of St. Louis, MO•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 4.78 out of 5  36 reviews

Parent: Words cannot express how grateful I am that we have school choice in the form of charter schools. My oldest son has moved on to GSA Middle and my youngest continues to attend GSA Smiley. We currently utilize the special education department at Smiley and although all of my son's teachers have been wonderful, his special education teacher and paraprofessional have been nothing short of phenomenal. He loves attending school, learning, and seeing his friends. They are constantly doing hands on, educational learning and he enjoys sharing his experiences and work with me after school. Having such supportive and understanding teachers who give so much of their time and their hearts is what keeps us living in the city. In other, larger schools, I could very easily see my kiddo getting overlooked, but at GSA he is able to get the small group attention and customized learning that he needs. We are proud to be part of the Gator Family!... Read 36 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 369

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• St. Louis, MO•

• Public School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 4.89 out of 5  9 reviews

Alum: As a member of the first graduating class of Lafayette Prep, it's safe to say that it is an amazing school. I attended throughout middle school, which includes 5th through 8th grade. It's a small school so it's very tight knit. You know everyone in your class and you know all of your teachers. The teachers are really helpful and always trying their best to help us learn. They also care about our emotions. If we're not doing so well they take that into consideration. Depending on the teacher or class, there are always opportunities to get your grade up. The middle school schedule is unique: The classes are at different times depending on the day. It keeps the school day from feeling monotonous. There are a few classes that are like electives (specials, aka art, music, p.e., tech). The school is still young so they still have room to grow, so despite having not all the sports or all the clubs, maybe one day they'll grow into it. There's a lot of future potential for this school!... Read 9 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 392

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Gateway Science Academy of St. Louis, MO•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 4.56 out of 5  9 reviews

Parent: I love this school! Everyone from the office staff to the teachers are very nice and are always quick to respond to my questions. I feel safety is a number one priority with this school and is taken very seriously. So for me, the 2 most important things that stand out about this school is safety and communication and Gateway Science Academy excels in both areas.... Read 9 reviews

• grade B

• Students 395

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• North Side Community School, MO•

• PK, K-4

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Senior: It is a great school.The teacher are great,the students are great.everybody is great.The grades are great here everyrthing is just great.... Read 1 review

• grade B

• Students 500

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• St Louis, MO•

• Public School•

• K-8

• grade B minus

• Students 415

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Lift for Life Academy, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.75 out of 5  12 reviews

Alum: I'm a former student and a proud alumni. I would consider Lift For Life Academy as a non conventional institution. Every bit of the teaching and activities are catered toward the specific needs of the students. This school is where both excellence is cultivated and an opportunity for a second chance is given. My life is forever changed because of the awesome staff and caring (but tough) leadership. Although, I love Lift for Life because it provides a sense of family & togetherness. I think they could do better in areas of college prepping and improve their grading system. It is very inconsistent and I could never get a straight answer on what the metrics are for grades from any of the instructors. It seems subjective and based on each teachers opinion of progress or performance, not just the numbers. Also, the after school activities are inconsistent. I attempted to partake in multiple things but often times sports and activities were cut short or had poor practice scheduling.... Read 12 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 357

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Gateway Science Academy of St. Louis, MO•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 4.71 out of 5  21 reviews

Parent: My daughter started Pre K and the experience has been amazing. Her instructors communicate with me weekly on her curriculum and improvements. I can see a difference in my daughters confidence, learning, and social skills. Most importantly I know I’m sending her to a safe environment with adults that care! She is having fun and excited about learning. The office team is always helpful when I call and I appreciate the affordable before/after care program.... Read 21 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 393

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• St Louis, MO•

• Public School•

• PK, K-8

• grade B minus

• Students 971

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Confluence Academies, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.11 out of 5  19 reviews

Alum: Grand Center Arts Academy is a performing arts school that teaches you what makes the arts amazing. I attended this high school for my Junior and Senior years. I took musical theater which included dancing, singing, and acting. I really like going here because it allowed and showed me to be creative in different ways. I didn’t know I could act. The teachers and stuff are supportive and motivating as well. The teachers there are absolutely there to help you strive and become your best self and it shows. There’s no one in there that wouldn’t help you. Even the students are very helpful and supportive. You don’t even have to know them. Everyone there treats each other with care and compassion. Academically the school prepares you for life after high school. With the resources they provided me I feel as if I was truly prepared for college. You can even graduate high school early if you wish. Overall GCAA is an amazing school.... Read 19 reviews

• grade C+

• Students 387

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Confluence Academies, MO•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  34 reviews

Niche User: This school not only teaches academic excellence, but artistic advancement. But most importantly, is the lessons in social interaction to accept people of all faiths, nationalities, races, economic levels and sexuall orientations.Allows the students and staff the opportunity to express their own opinions and feelings in a positive and nurturing environment.... Read 34 reviews

• grade C+

• Students 185

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Confluence Academies, MO•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

Middle School Student: The experience at Confluence Academy South city is great, the teacher really care for you and want you to see you succeed no matter how hard it gets. I may say that the teachers like to work thing out with you. The students are bright and very intelligent.... Read 1 review

• grade C

• Students 767

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• KIPP St. Louis Public Schools, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  4 reviews

• grade C

• Students 509

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Hawthorn Leadership School Girls, MO•

• 6-8

• grade C

• Students 53

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Lift for Life Academy, MO•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.6 out of 5  43 reviews

Niche User: The teachers taught me everything I needed to know and they helped me academically, and showed me that it will be different when I graduate from high school. I really appreciated their help a lot.... Read 43 reviews

• grade C

• Students 234

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• EAGLE College Preparatory Schools - St. Louis, MO•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  2 reviews

Middle School Student: Tbh i like this school a lot. I've had a lot of fun experiences and the school is really cool ig. There are some teachers that students might not like but I personally don't see a problem with any teachers. The only problem here is that students don't really listen to new teachers as much as old teachers and they can be very disrespectful towards them.... Read 2 reviews

• grade C minus

• Students 272

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• East St. Louis School District No. 189, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  27 reviews

Alum: SIUE Charter High School is a school centered around failure not being an option. The faculty and staff work hard with students to be successful. The student to teacher ratio is ideal and offers opportunities for growth and development of all students at various levels. It is a school the reaches above academia. SIUE Charter High School is located on a college campus which provides students an opportunity to get the feel of college life. Not to mention during the pandemic, virtual course schedules were designed to flow like a college setting. This allowed students not only flexibility in completing assignments and studying but a real-time feel of college course loads. Overall SIUE Charter School is a choice school for both students and parents who want a small setting where students can focus on their education and not be peer pressured or overwhelmed by larger settings. It offers great conflict resolution to include peace circles and restorative justice.... Read 27 reviews

• grade C minus

• Students 113

• Student-teacher ratio —

• EAGLE College Preparatory Schools - St. Louis, MO•

• K-7

• grade C minus

• Students 180

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• St. Louis, MO•

• Public School•

• K-5

• grade C minus

• Students 187

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• KIPP St. Louis Public Schools, MO•

• K-4

• grade C minus

• Students 552

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• KIPP St. Louis Public Schools, MO•

• K-4

• •
  Rating 2 out of 5  1 review

• grade C minus

• Students 589

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• KIPP St. Louis Public Schools, MO•

• 5-8

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  1 review

• grade C minus

• Students 458

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• EAGLE College Preparatory Schools - St. Louis, MO•

• K-7

• grade C minus

• Students 178

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• KIPP St. Louis Public Schools, MO•

• 5-8

• grade C minus

• Students 472

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1