Tomorrow's Builders Youthbuild Charter School

Through the Tomorrow's Builders Charter School, youth who have either been expelled or have dropped out from East St. Louis School District #189 can re-enter high school and earn their diploma. The youth, who range in age from 16-21, find at the Tomorrow’s Builder Charter School an environment suited to their individual needs aimed at helping them succeed in a rigorous academic setting.

All youth who enter our Charter School are required to successfully complete six months in the construction program, and participate in community service projects, as well as satisfy the Illinois State Board of Education’s requirements for graduation.

While the construction and community service requirements make our program unique, our instruction methods are also considered to be unconventional, as they are individualized to address the needs of each student. We utilize the E-Learning educational system. This approach involves the use of computerized learning tools to assist students in credit recovery. This approach allows student that may be behind in their educational

the PLATO Learning lab in our 24 station computer lab. We provide credit recovery classes for those who need to “catch up” in their academic classes. We work to service the entire family unit of our students and assist them in connecting to all services offered for them within our community.

If you are interested in enrolling in the Tomorrows Builders Charter School or have additional questions, please contact: (618) 874-1671, ext. 100

DARRIS IVY cannot say enough about how EPDC has changed his life.  When he entered Tomorrow’s Builders YouthBuild Charter School in 2000, he was running the streets, had no job and was abusing drugs.
                “At that time, I thought that was life, but it’s not,” says Darris.  “EPDC motivated me.  I wanted to go back to school and to be someone.  I wanted my daughter’s grandchildren to know their great-grandfather did something in life.”
                Darris now works in housekeeping at the Renaissance Grand Hotel in Downtown St. Louis, Missouri.  He is respected among the staff as a hard worker and daily uses what he learned at EPDC, such as always looking people in the eye.
                “Darris has been a great asset and addition to the hotel,” says Housekeeping Supervisor Stephanie Mickler.  “He has really helped move the department forward.”
                Darris sees the EPDC staff as his family and frequently stops by to say “hello”.
                “No one sees EPDC like I see it,” Darris says.  “They took the time to sit down with me, and learn who I was.”  He has the utmost respect for EPDC’s Executive Director Vickie Kimmel Forby and says, “She made something out of nothing and knowing that is what makes me keep going every day.”