University Academy is a K-12 charter public school that serves 1000+ students who reside within the boundaries of the Kansas City, MO school district. The mission of the school 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. Alumni of the school have a college completion rate that is more than 5x the national average for students from lowest quartile income families. In 2017, the U.S. Department of Education honored University Academy's Upper School with National Blue Ribbon School recognition based on exemplary academic performance over the last 5 years. University Academy was the first charter public school to receive this honor in Missouri and the only Missouri high school in 2017. This recognition is considered the highest honor an American K-12 school can receive.