Access Is Celebrating 20 Years!

Twenty years ago, the late John Vatterott championed the idea for a nonprofit organization aimed at propelling historically underserved middle school students into high school and on to college and career success.

Rooted in the belief that education was the most enduring path to economic stability and that a strong school was the bedrock of a vibrant neighborhood, his vision quickly gained support within the community. That fall, John launched Access Academies with 15 students inside a single South City middle school.

Today, Access Academies serves more than 350 students from middle school to college across the St. Louis region. Since our founding, we have invested over $9 million in our students’ tuition and our area’s high schools. We have funded more than $6.9 million to support high-quality enrichment programs, summer school, and graduate support services. And we have helped guide over 1,400 students on a path to success.

It has truly been a remarkable two decades. As we embark on our 20th Anniversary year, we’re excited to reflect on the lasting impact Access has made in our community and celebrate the incredible achievements of our students and graduates. In the months ahead, we’ll be sharing inspiring stories from our scholars, alumni, and partners, as well as showcasing how your generosity has transformed lives and paved the way for future generations to succeed.

Stay tuned for announcements on how you can be part of our 20th Anniversary celebrations. We hope you will join us in celebrating this exciting milestone!