St. Louis’ South City Prep moves to larger facility, increases student capacity August 1, 2015

South City Preparatory Academy in St. Louis, MO, will increase student capacity by 209 percent over the next four years as a result of moving to a larger facility beginning this fall. Originally opened as a charter middle school in 2011, South City Preparatory Academy always planned to find a future site for a high school or a bigger building to accommodate all students.

For six months, IFF worked closely with South City Preparatory Academy on identifying a building, developing a financial feasibility strategy, and comparing different financing scenarios. Through the new location, the school will create 10 full-time and two part-time positions and replace a closing high school in a neighborhood identified as a high-need area by an IFF schools study. South City Preparatory Academy’s student body is 90 percent African American and 90 percent eligible for free or reduced lunches.

IFF’s $1.9 million in financing will cover buying South City Preparatory Academy’s new home and making minor improvements to the main building. In 2015-2016, the school will convert a separate building on the site into a gym and plans to build additional classrooms as needed. Previously, in 2011 and 2013, IFF provided $345,000 in loans to help the school buy equipment and renovate leased space.

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