Mizzou Academy has a rich history within the University of Missouri. As one of the only blended school systems housed in a University College of Education & Human Development, we are part of our scholarly network of research and best-practices in education. With a commitment to partnership, innovation, access, and inclusion, we offer online, blended, and co-teach solutions for K-12 students.

When the College of Education was established in 1868, it opened on-campus, pre-collegiate classrooms known then as The Laboratory School, the Teacher’s College High School, and later as University High (or U-High). The original lab school closed in 1973, followed by the elementary school in 1978.  

In 1913, MU offered its first correspondence courses to high school students off-campus through the Office of Extension.This program–operating by postal service–would later evolve into the Center for Distance and Independent Study (CDIS). Like many of our students today, CDIS students took online courses for transfer credit to accelerate graduation, to recover credit, or to find advanced or specialized courses not available at their local schools. Some were athletes working around intensive training calendars; global adventurers who needed remote access and flexible schedules; empowered, independent learners navigating life’s challenges and seeking choice and accessibility; and countless others–each student with their own personal reasons for charting an educational path less traveled. It is their legacy that inspired the formation of Mizzou Academy as a complete diploma program.    

Since its founding in 1999, Mizzou Academy has grown vastly in both size and vision. In 2011, we returned to our lab school roots within the College of Education and Human Development. In 2015, we expanded our global reach with coteach partnerships for students seeking their dual international diploma. We expanded again in 2017 with our middle school program, and in 2020, we launched our elementary program. 

Today, Mizzou Academy is a fully accredited K-12 school system that offers over 200 courses. We serve students from all around the world, and thousands of students have graduated with a University of Missouri High School diploma.