BRIGHTFUTURES

Access Academies

by stephanie wallace

WHILE MANY OF US MAY BE A LITTLE reluctant to think back to our middle school years thanks to a lingering sense of awkwardness, there is no question that it’s a pivotal time in a young person’s life. The transition from child to teenager comes with new responsibilities, challenges and opportunities for growth, but if poverty and a lack of resources are part of the equation, the future can feel limited. Since 2005, Access Academies has provided support for students who have been historically underserved so they can thrive as they move to high school and beyond. The organization partners with urban middle schools and assists participants through enrichment, counseling and scholarships.

Access Academies’ mission centers on creating equitable opportunities in education. More than 90% of participants qualify for free or reduced lunch, a federal indicator of poverty. “We envision a vibrant St. Louis where education allows every child to think, dream and achieve big,” executive director Shelly Williams explains. “From health outcomes to social mobility to literacy rates, ZIP codes too often pre-determine so much about children’s lives. By removing barriers to education, we’re helping dismantle systems that disallow students to be their best selves.” The nonprofit’s results speak for themselves: 99% of graduates are accepted into private college-prep high schools, and 96% go onto college or other post-secondary institutions.

The program takes a three-pronged approach to education. Working with the middle schools, it provides enrichment through extended school days and summer sessions that help students develop academically while building character and leadership skills. It also offers financial support for tuition and preparation for post-secondary plans, including covering costs related to ACT testing, applications and college visits. “We help families navigate concerns about tuition, so they pay on average $195 a month to enroll their