For 25 years, public charter schools have expanded opportunities for Missouri students and their families. We take this moment to celebrate the pioneers who helped build the state’s public charter movement and the innovators who will shape its future.
Public Charter Voices in a Defining Moment
Every Missouri public charter school began as a dream for something more—driven by parents, educators, and community leaders who envisioned better choices for our children. Today, as the state weighs expanding public charter schools beyond Kansas City and St. Louis, we believe it’s important to pause and listen to the stories and perspectives of those who know our schools best. MCPSA is honored to share with you “25 Voices” of students, families, educators, and leaders whose insights can illuminate where we’ve been and help us chart the path forward.
25 Voices
For more than 25 years, Missouri’s charter schools have been shaped by students, families, educators, and community leaders. Their experiences, reflections, and hopes for the future will determine the next 25 years. Click on any card to explore their stories in their own words.
Sean Stalling
Robbyn Wahby
Nicole Goodman
Dana Cutler
Chuck Hatfield
Julie Frugo
Elimane Mbengue
Aaron North
Rebecca Gudde
Tricia Workman
Christie Huck
Alisa Garrett
Caleb Rowden
Beto Lopez
Mauri Scott
Kate Casas
Earl Phalen
Nicole Niewald
Ciara Fisher
Christine Kemper
Phyllis Washington
Doug Thaman
Kelly Garrett
Sly James
Valeria Gonzalez
Sean Stalling
Christie Huck
Alisa Garrett
Kelly Garrett
Nicole Goodman
Dana Cutler
Chuck Hatfield
Caleb Rowden
Beto Lopez
Mauri Scott
Julie Frugo
Kate Casas
Robbyn Wahby
Earl Phalen
Phyllis Washington
Elimane Mbengue
Tricia Workman
Valeria Gonzalez
Rebecca Gudde
Ciara Fisher
Nicole Niewald
Christine Kemper
Aaron North
Doug Thaman
Sly James
Featured Voices
from the executive director
Noah Devine
How are you feeling at this inflection point for public charters in Missouri?
It’s my extreme delight to be the executive director of the Missouri Charter Public School Association at this critical moment, with 25 years of public charter schools in the state of Missouri. We truly believe we are at the strongest point we’ve ever been over this 25-year trajectory. That’s because of the care, strength, and well-being our students receive each and every day from our incredible educators across the state.
How have you seen public charters evolve for the better during your career in education?
Over these past 25 years, we’ve seen public charter schools become leaders in our state for serving and meeting the needs of students. Our schools are community-driven places, and public opinion polling shows that people want public charter schools. They want options in our state. We’ve also seen our schools continue to become more innovative, creative, and thoughtful, whether during difficult times or in everyday schooling, always looking for new ideas to push education forward and meet the needs of kids.
What change are you still looking for public charters to make (more of)?
Education is changing very quickly, and we believe public charter schools have a tremendous opportunity to use their flexibility, autonomy, and community-based nature to continue evolving at the pace of society and at the pace of Missouri. Students coming from Missouri public charter schools should be high contributors to our state and across the country, and we need to continue to see that. That could mean different academic models or new ways of meeting needs in education.
What excites you about the current offering of public charter schools?
What excites me the most is the variety. No two public charter schools are exactly alike, and that’s really important. No one attends a public charter school without choosing to be there, which is also very important. Those two things really excite me: that schools must earn it each and every day, and that they must remain supremely focused on the needs of the student. That will always result in a better opportunity or a better product for that kid.
What is the biggest misconception about public charters that you’d like to correct?
I think the biggest misconception isn’t just about public charter schools, it’s about schools in general. Too often, people believe we don’t need more or we don’t need better. That’s not the case at all. We believe that when it comes to education, a rising tide lifts all boats. Missouri has incredible things happening for students but it also has serious needs. As public charter schools, we believe we can get creative and really work to meet the needs of Missourians.
Charter School Data
Check out a collection of data and poll findings from our partners at the PRiME Center at St. Louis University.
Use the dropdown and toggle buttons below to explore enrollment trends by region (Kansas City or St. Louis), switch between views, or replay the animation.
Explore more school performance data from the Prime Center and learn how Missouri’s public charter schools work and are overseen.
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