LifeWise Academy

LifeWise Academy is our after-school program that equips St. Louis area high school students for life after graduation.

We foster each teen’s potential and prepare students for post-secondary success through academic support, enrichment classes, social-emotional support, life skills classes, and job readiness activities. We are proud to say that 𝟏𝟎𝟎% of LifeWise Academy students graduate from high school.

Whether it’s heading to college, entering the workforce, exploring trade school, or serving in the military, we’re here to guide our LifeWise Academy students every step of the way.

What We Do

Academic Support

  • One-on-one academic advising sessions with an advisor 
  • Designated Homework Room with staff to assist with homework completion
  • Individual tutoring available
  • Education and support for SMART goal-setting
  • Incentives for demonstrated academic improvement
  • Workshops on study skills
  • ACT test preparation
  • College visits
  • Post-secondary institution application assistance
  • Financial aid and scholarship application assistance

Enrichment Activities (Offerings vary each semester)

  • Entrepreneurship 
  • Debate
  • Youth and Government
  • Poetry and creative writing
  • Community service learning
  • Arts and crafts (Painting, photography, crochet)
  • Cooking
  • Cinema club and book club
  • Outdoor Recreation (water safety, canoeing, hiking, rock climbing)
  • Movement classes (fitness, dance, yoga)
  • Sister Circle and Bro Code (a safe space for youth to discuss current gender issues)
  • Health and nutrition education
  • Substance abuse education
  • Wyman© Teen Outreach Program workshops
  • Monthly field trips

Life Skills and Job Readiness

  • Weekly life skills workshops
  • Weekly career exploration workshops
  • Employment application assistance
  • Financial literacy education
  • Mock interviews
  • One-on-one career advising sessions
  • Summer internship and employment opportunities

Social-Emotional Support

  • Free individual and group mental health sessions available with a licensed therapist
  • Individualized support from Teen Advisors
  • Empowerment programs that support the transition to adulthood
  • Connections with other LifeWise scholars
  • Self-awareness activities offered weekly

Enroll Now

Program Application/ Solicitud del programa (Disponible en inglés y español)

Contact Us

For more information, please contact Darrius Harris, Director of LifeWise Academy, at dharris@lifewisestl.org or (314) 260-6384.