In 2000, Lift For Life Academy (LFLA) became the first independent charter middle school to open in the City of St. Louis. Sponsored by Southeast Missouri State University, our Academy is centrally located at 1731 South Broadway, in the historic Soulard neighborhood. The Academy, located in what was originally the Manfacturers Bank and Trust building, then later a Mercantile Bank, was established to provide an education to middle school students. It is now serving 580 students in grades 6-12. The classrooms for our sixth grade students are located across the street from our main building. St. Louis city families choose Lift for Life Academy for their children as a creative and motivating alternative to public schools. Our first class of seniors graduated in 2012 and are now graduating and beginning to work or further pursuing their education. LFLA maintains a graduation rate of 94+%. This May, 73 of 74 seniors graduated. More than four out of five of these graduates were accepted into college, technical school and/or the military, earning over $1.5 million in scholarships!