Gateway Virtual Academy

Southeast Missouri Christian Academy, known locally as SEMO Christian Academy, opened in August 1978 with a preschool class of six students and is Sikeston's original Christian academy. Over the years we offered kindergarten, elementary grades and even high school band and basketball, until a 1986 tornado destroyed much of our campus. Since our last kindergarten class in 2022-23, we have focused entirely on preschool. We are a nonprofit Christian school affiliated with Shady Acres Church of Christ, which shares our building on Ables Road. We take no federal, state or church funding, so tuition, fundraisers and donations keep us running. Bible reading, prayer and spiritual values are part of our curriculum alongside play and early learning. Families choose three half-days (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) at $150 a month or five half-days at $200 a month, plus an annual supply fee. Morning class runs from 9:30 to 11:15 a.m., early drop-off starts at 7:30 a.m., and our afternoon enrichment program keeps children until as late as 5:30 p.m. for working families. Children celebrate Halloween, Christmas and Valentine's Day parties and an Easter egg hunt each year.