Embattled Kansas City charter school stays open under new sponsor

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - An charter school will be allowed to continue educating students, with new oversight.

The Missouri State Board of Education approved a proposal for St. Louis University (SLU) to sponsor Genesis School for the next five years.

Genesis School has fought to stay open for at least the past two years.

In 2023, the Missouri Charter Public School Commission told the school planned to revoke its charter. At the time the commission cited poor academic performance.

Genesis School leaders appealed the decision and a judge ruled the move was “unlawful and arbitrary.”

Then, in January 2025, Genesis School announced that it’s contract wit hthe Missouri Public Charter School Commission would end at the end of the current school year. The commission said the school did not meet educational growth goals.

The news about partnering with SLU means the charter school will be able to move forward and focus on educating students.

According to Genesis, SLU reviewed the school’s performance data and spent time with staff, board , and the community before proposing a partnership with the charter school.

The new charter agreement will provide resources and for Genesis School, as long as the school continues to make progress.

Genesis said the sponsorship will hold it to academic, financial, and operational standards through 2030.

The sponsorship begins with the 2025–26 school year in the fall.

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