School can be hard when a child is dealing with stress, trauma, mental health needs, behavior challenges, foster care or big life changes.

KVC helps children and teens feel safe, supported and ready to learn. Our education programs give students caring adults, structure and tools to help them build confidence in school and beyond.

Explore KVC education programs by state to find the right support for your child, student or referral.

Find Education Support by State

KVC offers unique education programs in Missouri, Nebraska and West Virginia. Each program is designed for students who may need extra support at school, at home or as they prepare for their future.

Missouri:

KVC Academy: A K-12 Therapeutic Education in a Place Where Everyone Belongs

KVC Academy provides an inclusive learning environment that embraces uniqueness and supports all students as they grow and step into a brighter future. As a fully accredited K-12 academy and school of choice for youth with autism and those who have struggled in traditional classrooms, KVC Academy’s approach to therapeutic education delivers truly amazing results.

In order to learn and succeed at school, students must first feel safe and calm. KVC’s trauma-informed team works to build trusting relationships with students and empowers them with individualized tools. KVC Academy is a unique learning environment where no one feels different, and students can unlock their full potential. With schools operating in Boonville, Columbia, Kansas City, Lebanon, St. James, St. Louis and St. Louis County, Missouri, KVC Academy educates over 400 children across Missouri each year.

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Nebraska: 

Fostering Educational Success

Fostering Educational Success is a program that offers support to youth and caregivers as they transition from foster care to permanency. This program partners students with a Family Coach who actively collaborates with them, their caregivers, and their school to support their success.

Fostering Educational Success works to strengthen family dynamics, creating a more supportive home environment. They boost students’ active academic engagement and increase their sense of belonging at school. This support and healthy connections are critical for youth as they prepare for young adulthood and the transition out of foster care.

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West Virginia:

Middle College at Fairmont State University: A Dual-Degree Academic & Support Program for Youth Who Have Experienced Foster Care

KVC West Virginia, in partnership with Fairmont State University and the West Virginia Schools of Diversion and Transition (WVSDT), created Middle College at Fairmont State University. Middle College is more than an academic program; it acts as a crucial bridge between high school and college. This dual-degree academic program allows youth who have experienced foster care to earn both a high school diploma and a two-year associate degree (or 2 years of college credit toward a bachelor’s degree) all in an environment designed to support and nurture youth who have experienced foster care. The team walks alongside students, creating an atmosphere where they not only excel academically but also navigate the challenges of adolescence and higher education with confidence.

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EDIFY: Helping Youth in Foster Care Stay Connected, Confident and On Track

Kids in foster care face unique challenges when it comes to school, like disruptions in learning and challenges with building relationships with those around them. Early Development of Informed Foster Youth (EDIFY) helps youth in foster care develop the skills they need to succeed in school, explore their personal interests and confidently transition into high school and then adulthood.

EDIFY is a virtual program, and it comes at no cost to children and teens who are in foster care across West Virginia. Because every young person deserves to feel supported, confident and connected, EDIFY provides consistent academic guidance. The meaningful relationships built in the program empower youth to take ownership of their education and grow in the classroom and beyond.

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Additional Resources:

• How Academic Stress and Digital Learning Impact Students’ Mental Health
• Neurodivergent Minds Need Different Support. Here’s What Helps
• 6 Ways Adults Can Foster Belonging and Prevent Bullying
• ADHD, Anxiety and More: Addressing Youth Mental Health in the Classroom
• An Exclusive Look Inside KVC Academy: A School That Goes Beyond Education