Our LifeWise Academy program provides academic enrichment, social-emotional support, life skills and job readiness activities to teens during a critical period of development so that they are better prepared for a post-secondary institution and/or the workforce.

Who We Serve

  • Students enrolled in 9th – 12th grades (initial enrollment begins in 9th – 10th grades)
  • Students who reside in neighborhoods on the south side of St. Louis City (primarily zip codes 63104, 63111, 63116 and 63118)
  • Students are not required to have a high GPA — all performance levels are accepted

What We Do

Academic Support

  • Academic classes
  • Education and support for SMART goal-setting
  • Incentives for demonstrated academic improvement
  • One-on-one academic advising sessions
  • Tutoring
  • Workshops on study skills

Enrichment Activities

  • ACT test preparation
  • College visits
  • Community service learning
  • Dance
  • Field trips
  • Financial aid and scholarship application assistance
  • Health and nutrition education
  • Post-secondary institution application assistance
  • Substance abuse education
  • Violence and pregnancy prevention workshops
  • Wyman© Teen Outreach Program workshops
  • Yoga

Life Skills and Job Readiness

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

Social-Emotional Support

  • Connections with other LifeWise scholars
  • Empowerment programs that support the transition to adulthood
  • Group and individual mental health sessions
  • Individualized support from Teen Advisors
  • Self-awareness activities

Contact Us

For more information, please contact Tawnya Johnson, Coordinator of LifeWise Academy, at tjohnson@lifewisestl.org or (314) 260-6384.