Meet Charlie

Meet Charlie. Always known as quite the social butterfly and goofball, Charlie joined Beyond School, our comprehensive after school program, in 2024 to better his academics. As an 8th grader, Charlie had been maintaining average grades, but with high school fast approaching, his parents asked to enroll him into Beyond School.   

Since joining the program, Charlie remains his silly, goofy self to his peers and success coach, Noah. Beyond School’s enrichment activities have given Charlie a place to make friends and socialize with others. At the same time, the program has taught him how to recognize when it is time to focus and take his work seriously. 

Charlie set a goal of getting into a top-rated magnet high school and from there worked diligently to achieve that goal. He used academic time to complete his assignments, excelling in subjects like math. His focus paid off when he got into a top competitive high school in Missouri – something that he and Noah are proud of. Charlie has since started thinking about his future and tells Noah that he plans to attend college. 

“It was really nice to see that if he really wants something, he will be serious and put in the work to get in,” Noah said. “It was really nice that Beyond School could provide him a space to do that.”  

The support system Charlie has received is a value of Beyond School and something the program hopes to provide every student who joins. When Charlie is struggling or facing setbacks, Noah and other leaders in Beyond School offer him the support to grow and help him when needed. 

“He has gained a community behind him,” Noah said.