Welcome to Premier Charter School: Education That Empowers

A: At Premier Charter School, 89% of our 8th graders are accepted into their top-choice high school. PCS students consistently demonstrate strong academic learning and readiness for rigorous programs across St. Louis.

A: At Premier Charter School, our strength begins with our commitment to character education. Through intentional practices, we support and develop our core ethical values of Caring, Respect, and Responsibility. Our inquiry-based learning model encourages students to explore, question, and think critically instead of simply receiving information. This approach strengthens both academic learning and social and emotional learning, forming the foundation of our whole-child development philosophy.

PCS is proud to be the first St. Louis charter school recognized as both a State and National School of Character. Students experience a dynamic curriculum that includes physical education, art, music, library skills, coding, and world cultures.

We also offer robust programming in STEM, Engineering, and Computer Science, supported by a shared makerspace that enhances creativity and problem-solving.

To meet diverse learning needs, Premier Charter School provides several specialized supports and enrichment options, including:

• Quest – our Enrichment/Gifted Program
• TLC – our Special Education program
• ELL – English Language Learning support
• Reading and Math Specialists
• Before & After Care for family convenience

A: A charter school is a public school that operates with more flexibility than traditional district schools. It is governed by an independent school board dedicated solely to that school’s mission and student outcomes. This independence allows charter schools to be highly responsive to the needs of students and families.

Charter schools operate under performance-based contracts (“charters”). If they fail to meet academic, non-academic, or operational standards, they may be closed or replaced. Despite their autonomy, charter schools remain:

• Publicly funded
• Tuition-free
• Accountable to state and federal academic standards
• Open to all students in their service area

A: We have been educating curious, empowered learners since 2000.

A: Premier Charter School opened its doors in 2000 with 524 K–6 students, becoming one of the first St. Louis charter schools to offer families a new, high-quality public school option. Today, PCS serves more than 1,000 Pre-K–8 students and has grown into a model of whole-child development, academic excellence, and community partnership.

As the first charter school in the region recognized as a State and National School of Character, PCS intentionally integrates academic learning with social and emotional learning in everything we do. Educators from across the U.S. and around the world visit PCS annually to observe our approach and learn from our best practices.

A: Character education at PCS is embedded in every student’s experience and grounded in four domains of character development: moral, performance, intellectual, and civic. By partnering with students, families, peers, and the broader community, we guide learners to understand how strong ethics and positive character shape every area of their lives.

A: A charter is the governance and operating agreement we follow with our charter sponsor. This agreement outlines our academic, non-academic, and operational outcomes and holds us accountable for delivering on them.

A: Our charter sponsor is the University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL).

A: Charter schools are exempt from state accreditation requirements, but they are held to strict accountability standards through their charter agreements.

A: 8:15 a.m. – 3:25 p.m.

A: PCS does not currently provide bussing or transportation.

A: Missouri’s charter school students rank among the top 5 nationally for academic learning and growth in reading and math.

A: Yes. Data shows that historically underserved Black and Latino students make greater gains in reading and math when attending charter schools compared to traditional public schools.

A: PCS is the first St. Louis charter school designated as a State and National School of Character. We lead with a whole-child approach, combining:

• Inquiry-based academics
• Strong classroom culture
• Social and emotional learning supports
• Physical activity and play
• Enrichment in arts, STEM, and culture

Our campus includes five buildings—Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School, Indoor Soccer & Basketball Gymnasiums, and the Leadership & Resource Center. Outdoor features include playgrounds, green space and walking tracks, blacktop, and multiple soccer fields.