Kairos Story

1
Design (2014-2017)
Teach For America alumni conceive and test the Kairos model.
2
Sponsorship (2017-2018)
Kairos team submits charter application to the Missouri Charter Public School Commission and hosts a public forum.
3
Pre-Opening (2018-2019)
Founding faculty recruit students, raise money, and renovate facility.
4
Launch (Aug 12, 2019)
Dutchtown community opens a racially and socioeconomically diverse middle school.
to design for our families, we began by designing with our families

Publicity starts early for some St. Louis charter schools
St. Louis Public Radio (NPR)
"Two young teachers who are hoping to start a charter school in the Dutchtown neighborhood in south St. Louis are knocking on residents’ doors this summer asking for their support."
700+ signatures of support
from parents and Dutchtownies
28 endorsements
from community orgs. and stakeholders
250+ St. Louis students
who piloted iterations of the Kairos model
"Dutchtown families deserve schools as vibrant and diverse as they are. That is why we welcome new, innovative school models like Kairos to the area."
Paula Gaertner, Executive Director of the Thomas Dunn Learning Center (3113 Gasconade)

"Kairos is using technology in creative ways to provide students truly personalized attention. As youth mentors, we know the crucial role of that individualized coaching in the lives of children. Many students need one-on-one support to thrive. To best serve those students, and to empower their families with real school choice, Marquette Recreation Center is excited to partner with Kairos upon sponsorship."
Willie Ash, Supervisor at the Marquette Recreation Center (4025 Minnesota Ave)

“We recognize that strong neighborhoods need strong educational options. That’s why we welcome Kairos as partners in our efforts to strengthen Dutchtown.”
Ashley Raineri, Board Chair of the Dutchtown Community Improvement District

“The young people living in the Dutchtown neighborhood should have all the energy, innovation, and ideas that we can provide. I believe that Kairos offers a viable, innovative school model —one that would empower Dutchtown students through education.”
Shane Cohn, 25th Ward Alderman

"Kairos lives up to its name in creating new opportunities for area youth in preparation for high school graduation and beyond. By encouraging free thinking and allowing children to practice self-management, Kairos’ mission fits with GSGBC’s goal of empowering girls and boys in the St. Louis metropolitan area to realize their physical, intellectual, and emotional potential."
Prescott Benson, Executive Director of Gene Slay’s Girls & Boys Club
then we wrote all our ideas down
In 2018, Kairos submitted our charter school application to the Missouri Charter Public School Commission—the state's most rigorous charter oversight board. At 707 pages, it is the most thorough, evidence-based school plan in Missouri history. Read below for details about our educational, organizational, and financial models.
and we invited everyone to chime in
On July 11, 2018, Kairos more than doubled the state record for community turnout at a public forum. Over 150 families we had been working with came to the Thomas Dunn Learning Center, right in the heart of Dutchtown, to support our school.
After our charter application, community input at the public forum, and a board interview, Kairos received sponsorship from the Missouri Public Charter School Commission. On October 23, 2018, we were authorized by the Missouri State Board of Education.
"Kairos is so much better than my regular school. It's like it was designed just for me. I used to think I wasn't smart because I don't learn like everyone else. But at Kairos, I feel smart. With the help of my coach (Mr. Krewson, Kairos co-founder), I've figured out how I study best. And when I work that way, there's nothing I can't learn. For the first time, I feel like nothing's impossible for me."
Walla (Kairos summer student)
"Both of my kids have to travel 45 minutes for school, and it's not even good. Everyone knows that you need money to get a quality education around here. That's not right! Not everyone can afford a private school or to move to the county. We need better options in our community. I like how Gavin (Kairos co-founder) lives in the neighborhood; he's been working with us for years and really gets it."
Andrea (Dutchtown mother)