Believe Academy Celebrates Ribbon Cutting for Groundbreaking Charter School

Students Will Graduate from Believe Academy with College Degrees, Certifications, and a Pathway to Success

[St Louis] – [September 16, 2024] – Today marks a historic moment for education in St. Louis with the official ribbon cutting of Believe Academy, an innovative charter school designed to empower students to earn an associate degree and health industry certifications while still in high school. Believe Academy is on a mission to close the income gap and prepare students for independence and success, particularly in the healthcare sector.

Believe Academy opened its doors to students on August 12th and has welcomed 125 inaugural students. The school will gradually expanding enrollment each year to reach 450 students. The school offers a wide range of academic opportunities including advanced placement courses, financial literacy education, and gifted/talented programs, along with free transportation to ensure accessibility for all students.

Pioneering Partnerships and National Recognition

Supported by leading institutions like BJC Health Systems and The Opportunity Trust, the academy offers six distinct health science pathways including nursing, respiratory care, and radiology. Partnering with St. Louis Community College and Harris-Stowe State University, students will graduate with industry-recognized certifications, college credits, and associate degrees—poised to enter the workforce or pursue higher education.

In recognition of its groundbreaking approach, Believe Academy recently received a coveted Bloomberg Philanthropies grant, one of only 12 schools in the nation to earn this distinction. This funding strengthens its mission to offer a debt-free pathway to career and academic success.

“We believe Believe Academy will impact generations to come, offering students a path to success in healthcare and other high-demand fields,” said the school’s founder Kimberly Neal-Brannum. Tenth-grader, Nadia Curtis added “This school will help me succeed because it gives me the confidence to believe I can do it.”

Strengthening Students, Families, and the Workforce

Believe Academy’s innovative model addresses pressing community needs by equipping students with the tools to succeed without the burden of student debt. With an emphasis on healthcare careers, the school strengthens students, their families, and the local workforce, providing long-term economic benefits to the region.

For more information, please contact: Edie Barnard – ebarnard@mocharterschools.org