University Academy

University Academy is a K-12 college-preparatory charter public school in Kansas City, Missouri.

The mission of University Academy is to prepare students to succeed in an institution of higher education and to become leaders in society. The vision of University Academy is to be the best K-12 college-preparatory charter public school in the country with an emphasis on college preparation, career development, community service and leadership.

University Academy serves approximately 1,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade who reside in the Kansas City Missouri School District (“KCMSD”). Presently, over 90% of the student body is African-American and roughly 75% qualify for free or reduced lunch.

As a charter public school, University Academy admits students on the basis of a random lottery drawn from a pool of applicants. All applicants must reside within the boundaries of the Kansas City Missouri School District.

University Academy was founded by Tom Bloch, Lynne Brown, and Barnett and Shirley Helzberg. The founders believe deeply that students living in the Kansas City Missouri School District deserve the opportunity to have an excellent college preparatory education. The founders’ initial vision was to establish a school that emphasizes college preparation, career development, community service and leadership. The idea for the school was further developed and refined and eventually a charter school application was written. The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) agreed to sponsor the school’s charter.

The school opened its doors in 2000, operating in a facility leased from UMKC located at 5605 Troost Avenue. In addition to providing University Academy the initial space for the school to operate and agreeing to sponsor the charter, UMKC has supported University Academy in many ways including providing an additional layer of oversight and guidance for both the board and administration.

As a result of the support and generosity of University Academy’s board of directors and the Kansas City community, construction on a new 172,000 square foot state-of-the art facility began in 2004. When the new facility opened in August 2005, enrollment expanded from 300 students in grades 6-12 to roughly 1,000 students in Kindergarten through grade 12. Located at 6801 Holmes Road in Kansas City, Missouri, the school’s campus provides a wonderful home for University Academy to pursue its mission of preparing students to succeed in college and become leaders in society.

University Academy’s seven-member Board is a group of volunteers whose purpose is to provide the highest quality college-preparatory education to the 1000 students who walk through University Academy’s doors each day. The board oversees University Academy and works to ensure that the management, programs, and policies of the school result in the achievement of the school’s mission and progress towards its vision. The board's responsibilities include: (1) setting standards for University Academy including its mission and vision, (2) selecting and evaluating the school's superintendent, (3) ensuring University Academy’s course offerings are aligned with the school’s mission and vision, (4) setting and adopting annual goals for the school, (5) setting and adopting policies for the school and, (6) adopting an annual budget. In reaching decisions, the board seeks in every case to act in the best interests of the school’s students and of the community consistent with the school’s mission and vision.

Notable Alumni

Coordinates: 39°0′13.5″N 94°34′43.3″W / 39.003750°N 94.578694°W / 39.003750; -94.578694

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