Job Point Proposes Columbia’s First Charter School, Focused on Workforce Readiness

COLUMBIA – Job Point has submitted its Letter of Intent and Prospectus to establish a workforce-based public charter school in Columbia, Missouri—becoming the first to pursue being a public charter in the Columbia area. Charter schools are free, public, and open to all and provide a pathway for community-based organizations to meet the needs of students and families in local communities.

“A major priority of mine as a state senator was making sure families have access to high- quality education options that meet their child’s needs,” said Caleb Rowden, former Boone County State Senator. “I’m thrilled to see this interest from such a strong organization, one based right here in Boone County, and one dedicated to meeting the needs of Columbia’s youth.”

Job Point, an employment center and Community Development Corporation in Columbia, has linked people and jobs since 1965—serving Columbia for 60 years—through career planning, job placement, and vocational training. The organization serves communities across central Missouri and has helped more than 1,100 young people through its YouthBuild program. The organization, in its Letter of Intent and Prospectus, documents serving students who in some cases have previously dropped out or not had their needs met in a more traditional system and providing them the path and support towards living-wage employment and credentials.

Over the years YouthBuild has proved an effective alternative learning pathway for students across the United States. In a national randomized controlled trial of nearly 4,000 participants found that YouthBuild creates meaningful pathways for young people to reconnect with education, work, and community. The program significantly increased high school credential attainment, college enrollment, employment rates, and civic engagement—demonstrating its power to put youth on a more promising trajectory.

YouthBuild has strong, long-standing charter models in both California and Illinois. In California, YouthBuild Charter School of California has graduated over 6,500 students since its founding, with a one-year graduation (or similar first-year outcome) rate around 78%, and students there earn more credits per year than they typically did in their previous traditional high school. Meanwhile, in Illinois, the Community Youth Development Institute (CYDI) in Chicago has graduated more than 1,200 students, many of whom have gone on to attend community colleges, HBCUs, the military, or other vocational opportunities.

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In fiscal year 2024, Job Point served 329 individuals, with 87 percent of adults maintaining employment for at least 90 days and 98 percent of customers reporting satisfaction with services. The proposed charter school will build on this success by combining academic learning with real-world career pathways.

Job Point’s board and team includes leaders from some of Columbia’s strongest employers, including the University of Missouri, Veterans United, and EquipmentShare, reflecting their commitment to Columbia and strong community ties.

“This school will serve students 17 and older who need a second chance—those who have dropped out or are at risk of dropping out,” said Noah Devine, Executive Director of the Missouri Charter Public School Association. “The Missouri Charter Public School Commission prioritizes applicants who seek to meet a specific community need or student population much like this one and Job Point’s proposal meets that mission head-on.”

The LOI and Prospectus will be reviewed by the Missouri Charter Public School Commission in October, where they will determine if Job Point will be invited to complete a full application. If ultimately approved, Job Point’s charter school could open in Columbia for the 2027–28 school year, though the organization will continue to serve the Columbia community, as they currently do now, before then.

“There’s no school like this in Columbia—one that pairs a strong education with pathways to living-wage, skilled careers,” Devine added. “Parents should be able to choose what’s best for their children, and every family deserves access to a great school that fits their child’s needs.”

MDRC, “YouthBuild Evaluation: Four-Year Impacts on Young People’s Education and Employment Outcomes,” 2018. ERIC ED590015