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Contact Us

3500 Lindell Boulevard
Fitzgerald Hall, Room 200
St. Louis, MO 63103

info@accessacademies.org

314.898.0430

In high school, college,
and career—
Preparing Students for Success... Every step of the way. follow
Who We Are

What Is Access?

Our Mission

Our Vision

Our History

Access propels middle school students who have been historically underserved through high school and on to college and career success with enrichment, counseling, and scholarships.

Access envisions a vibrant St. Louis community where equity in education allows every child to think, dream, and achieve big.

Twenty years ago, John Vatterott, Terry Mehan, Tom Nolan, and a small group of St. Louisians championed the idea for a nonprofit organization aimed at propelling historically underserved middle school students into high school and onto college and career success. Rooted in the belief that education was the most enduring path to economic stability and that a strong school was the bedrock of a vibrant neighborhood, Access launched with 15 eighth graders inside a single South City middle school. Last years, Access served 391 students in 3 middle schools, 42 area high schools—including 22 private, college-preparatory schools—and 58 colleges and post-secondary institutions across the country.

Who We Serve

All Students Are Welcome

Access supports students across the St. Louis region who are either:

Entering 6th grade at Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School or are entering 8th grade at any other school. 

From families with a demonstrated financial need.

The first in their families to attend college. 

Our Goal

What Makes Us Different

Through our three pillars, we give students the tools, support, and confidence they need to succeed, including:

Enrichment

High School & College-Prep Enrichment Programs

Counseling

11+ Years of One-On-One Counseling

Scholarships

Scholarships to Private High School and College

Our Impact

Uplifting the Entire Region

Since 2005, Access has helped more than 1,400 students and invested over $10.7 million
in our students’ high school and college tuition.

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Acceptedto college-preparatory high schools
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Graduatedhigh school on time (compared to 87% nationwide)
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Acceptedto college or other post-secondary institution
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Enrolledin college or other post-secondary institution upon high school graduation
Our Program

Your Path to College Starts Here

Access begins in middle school and continues through college. Students can join the program on one of two paths:

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Access @ Sister Thea Bowman

Students enroll at Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School in East St. Louis and are automatically registered in the Access program starting in 6th grade. This path is:

• Based in East St. Louis
• Requires enrollment at STB
• Includes after-school enrichment programs four days a week during the academic year

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Access 2 High School (A2HS)
@ Saint Louis University

Students from any middle school apply in the 7th grade and begin the Access 2 High School (A2HS) program in the 8th grade. This path is:

• Based at SLU
• Requires an application, interview, and academic review
• Includes enrichment programming one Saturday per month throughout the academic year

OUR SERVICES & BENEFITS

No matter which path students choose, our Graduate Support Team partners closely with them and their families–helping with school applications, financial aid paperwork, transitions, goal-setting, and more. They are never on this journey alone. Here is a list of services Access provides at every level of our scholars’ education:

Middle School

Both middle school paths provide:

✓ One-on-one advising
✓ Enrichment classes
✓ Guidance through the high school application and financial aid process
✓ High school prep
✓ High school fair & visits
✓ Help identifying a best-fit high school
✓ Interviewing skills utilizing local professionals, educators, and SLU staff

High School


Students on both Access tracks converge when they enter high school. Our high school programming includes:

✓ Continued one-on-one advising
✓ Scholarships to private high schools
✓ ACT prep courses
✓ College visits
✓ Financial literacy/financial aid workshops
✓ Summer Book Club
✓ Access 2 College (A2C) program (includes college search, application & essay assistance)
✓ Summer Scholars (one-week immersive college preparatory program held each year on a college campus)

College & Career Success

Access support doesn’t end at high school graduation.
In college, students receive the following services from our College & Career team:

✓ Continued one-on-one advising
✓ Scholarships
✓ College and financial aid counseling
✓ College work-study program
✓ Career exposure and exploration
✓ Alumni support and networking opportunities

Access In Action

How Access Works

Watch this short video to see how the Access program works to empower students in and outside the classroom.

Testimonials

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Our Featured Campains

Our Vision

Access envisions a vibrant St. Louis community where equity in education allows every child to think, dream, and achieve big.

Our Mission

Access propels middle school students who have been historically underserved through high school and on to college and career success with enrichment, counseling, and scholarships.

Our History

Access was founded in 2005 by a group of St. Louisans convinced that education was the most enduring path to economic stability.

Middle_School_Icon
Middle School

Access begins in middle school and continues through college. Students can join the program in two ways.

High_School_Icon
High School
College+Career_Icon
College & Career
Our Goal

What Makes Us Different

At Access, we give students the tools, support, and confidence they need to succeed, including:

Enrichment

High School and College-Prep Enrichment Programs

Counseling

11+ Years of One-On-One Counseling

Scholarships

Scholarships to Private High Schools and College

Program Services & Benefits

Middle School

No matter which path students choose, our Graduate Support Team partners closely with them and their families–helping with school applications, financial aid paperwork, transitions, goal-setting, and more. They are never on this journey alone. 

Both Middle School Paths Provide:

SERVICES & BENEFITS

Middle School

No matter which path students choose, our Graduate Support Team partners closely with them and their families–helping with school applications, financial aid paperwork, transitions, goal-setting, and more. They are never on this journey alone. Both middle school paths provide:

One-on-one advising

Enrichment classes

Guidance through the high school application and financial aid process

High school fair and visits

Help identifying a best-fit high school

Interviewing skills utilizing local professionals, educators, and SLU staff