Lift for Life Academy

In 2000, Lift For Life Academy (LFLA) became the first independent charter middle school to open in the City of St. Louis.

Lift For Life Academy
Lift For Life Academy
Location
1731 S Broadway St. Louis, Missouri United States
Coordinates	38°36′32″N 90°11′59″W
Information
Type	Charter school
Motto	Failure Is Not An Option
Established	1998
School district	St. Louis City Public School
Principal	David Lemay
Faculty	31.0 (on FTE basis)[1]
Grades	K-2, 6–12
Enrollment	695[1] (2008–09)
Student to teacher ratio	11.2:1[1]
Color(s)	Red, Black, Gold
Slogan	Where Learning Comes Alive
Mascot	Hawk
Nickname	LFLA
Team name	Lift For Life Hawks
Website	http://www.liftforlifeacademy.org/

The academy, located in what was originally the Manufacturers Bank and Trust building, then later a Mercantile Bank, was established to provide an education to middle school students. It is now serving nearly 800 students in grades K-4 and 6–12. Fifth grade will be added in 2022 when it will be a complete Academy. The elementary school is a half block south.

The idea for the academy grew out of Cohen's other nonprofit agency, Lift For Life Gym, established in 1988 as a weightlifting organization for at-risk children located on the north side of St. Louis, 14th & Cass.