• Thorpe Gordon STEM Academy is proud to provide its students with the high-quality education and curriculum used across the district. Additionally, TGSA infuses STEM-based learning into the classroom every day.

    There are a small number of spaces available for students who live outside the Thorpe Gordon boundary area to attend the STEM academy if so desired. 

    Because space is limited, there will be an annual lottery process to select which students from other elementary boundaries will have the opportunity to enroll at the STEM Academy. If you applied for the lottery for the current school year but were not selected to attend, you will need to reapply for the upcoming school year.

    Any families who might be interested in having their student attend the STEM academy should complete the lottery application when it opens in March. Families will receive an email from the district with more information on how to apply. 

    Please note:

    • Transportation will not be provided to families who live outside the Thorpe Gordon boundary. Transportation to/from school will be the responsibility of the parent/guardian;
    • Regular attendance, academic efforts, and behavior will be required for any students granted special permission to attend the STEM academy;
    • Students who are approved to attend the STEM academy will attend middle and high school based on their home address.
    • Students will be provided uniforms by the school. 
    • Families who already live in the Thorpe Gordon boundary area and attend Thorpe Gordon do not need to complete the lottery application. 

    If you have any questions about the lottery process for the Thorpe Gordon STEM Academy, please contact JC Schools Elementary Education Department via phone (573-659-3015) or email Deputy Superintendent Dr. Heather Beaulieu at heather.beaulieu@jcschools.us. 

  • Does the lottery guarantee placement or require attendance at TGSA?

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    No, applying for the TGSA lottery neither guarantees placement at TGSA nor requires attendance at TGSA.  If selected, parents may accept or reject the placement. If not selected, the student will be placed on a waitlist for placement.
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  • When does the lottery take place?

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    The TGSA Lottery is open from March 15 through April 15 of each school year for students entering kindergarten through fifth grade the following school year. The names of qualifying students are generally drawn between April 16-20. Our goal is to notify parents soon thereafter whether they have been selected or placed on the waitlist.  No later than April 30th, we ask parents to accept or reject the placement. 
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  • How will the curriculum be different at TGSA?

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    As with all elementaries in JC Schools, Thorpe Gordon STEM Academy is held accountable to the Missouri Learning Standards (MLS) established by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). TGSA students are expected to master each of the DESE priority standards and the report card, therefore, is the same for TGSA and all other elementary schools. However, the way in which the MLS are taught may be unique and different at TGSA as teachers will create lessons and activities which have a greater STEM focus than other schools. 
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  • What happens if my child’s name is not drawn from the lottery and isn’t able to attend TGSA?

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    The child’s name will be placed on a waitlist in the order drawn. Should a spot become available, the children on the waitlist will be offered the placement in the order of the waitlist. If placement is declined, the child will be removed from the waitlist and the offer of placement will be given to the next child. In the meantime, the child may still attend the school in their attendance area until such time a spot becomes available and is offered.
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  • If someone has multiple children in multiple grades and applied to the lottery for each child, what

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    As it would not be in the child or families best interest, we would automatically place siblings at TGSA as well provided space is available. This would be a priority placement.
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