COLUMBIA, MO – Frontier Schools has been approved to open Columbia’s first charter public school, following a recommendation from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and action by the Missouri State Board of Education.
The school is scheduled to open in the 2027–28 school year and will spend the coming year partnering with the Columbia community to tailor the school model to the community itself and best meet the needs of students and families. Through the charter public school model, Frontier Schools will provide another flexible, tuition-free public school option for local families. Frontier has also been awarded 2 million dollars in federal Charter Schools Program (CSP) grant funding to support early planning and implementation, helping ensure the new school is well-resourced as it builds partnerships with families and the community.
“We are honored by the State Board of Education’s approval and excited to join the Columbia community,” said Frontier Schools Superintendent Ugur Demircan. “Frontier Schools is committed to expanding high-quality educational opportunities through a proven, student-centered model that emphasizes academic excellence, innovation, and strong support for every learner. We look forward to partnering with local families to prepare students for success in college, career, and life.”
Charter public schools are free, open to all students, and held accountable for strong academic outcomes. In Missouri, charter public schools are nonprofit organizations governed by independent boards of directors that reflect community voice.
Frontier Schools was approved for a PK–5 campus in Columbia and, in its inaugural year, will serve approximately 200 students in grades PK–2. The organization currently serves 1,595 students across Kansas City.
Frontier Schools first opened in Missouri in 2007 with Frontier School of Excellence, a 6–12 local education agency (LEA) in Kansas City. As demand grew, the organization expanded with additional campuses, including a K–3 elementary school in 2009, Frontier School of Innovation–Middle in 2012, and Frontier STEM High School in 2015.
Over its 18-year history, Frontier Schools has delivered strong academic results for students and families and looks forward to doing precisely the same for the citizens and families of Columbia. In Missouri’s most recently released Annual Performance Report (APR), Frontier reported a 50 percent proficiency rate in mathematics, exceeding the statewide average. For students in low-income and state-identified student groups, 48 percent scored proficient, more than 20 percentage points higher than the statewide average for similar student populations.
“Frontier is a strong, high-quality charter public school with a consistent record of strong student growth, including top statewide rankings in academic growth in both English Language Arts and Mathematics,” said Noah Devine, Executive Director of the Missouri Charter Public School Association. “They are going about this the right way. They will partner with the Columbia community to ensure family and community needs are met. Above all else, we should be excited to see high-growth, high-performing public schools like Frontier expanding to serve more students and families across Missouri.”
Frontier’s impact is also reflected in its investment in educators. In 2018, the district’s starting teacher salary of $60,000 was recognized as the highest in the state, well above the now $40,000 minimum required first-year teachers. That commitment to supporting and valuing staff was further reflected at the city’s Excellence in Education celebration, hosted by the Kansas City Royals Foundation, SchoolSmartKC, and MCPSA in early August. Three of Frontier’s teachers received ‘Star’ awards, including two Star Teacher Awards and the celebration’s Lone Star Leader Award. Leading all charter public schools in both nominees and awardees, Frontier Schools has demonstrated how investing in educators fosters exceptional talent and achievement across its campuses.
The approval follows the passage of Senate Bill 727 in 2024, which expanded charter school eligibility beyond Kansas City and St. Louis, allowing new opportunities for charter public schools in additional Missouri communities.
“A major priority of mine as a state senator was ensuring families have access to high-quality education options that meet their child’s needs,” said former Boone County State Senator Caleb Rowden. “I’m thrilled to see Frontier Schools approved to expand into Columbia. It is a high-quality, high-performing institution that will provide another option for Columbia families and help strengthen the already strong education landscape in Boone County.
