Sexual and reproductive health is an essential part of comprehensive physical and mental healthcare. The classroom is a fundamental space for students to learn about their bodies in a way that is structured, age-appropriate, and accurate. Often, school-based sex ed is the only space for students to gain the skills and information to make decision about sex and sexuality.

A vast majority of students in Missouri don’t have access to sex education that is whole, inclusive, and accurate. State law currently does not mandate that schools teach sex ed at all, but should districts choose to provide sex ed, it must be abstitence-forward. This has created a state full of folks who are uneducated or vastly undereducated when it comes to issues of sexual and reproductive health.

At NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri, we believe every person should have comprehensive sex education so they can make accurate and informed decisions regarding their healthcare. This starts in schools so this too is where we are starting.

We believe that making fundamental improvements in sex education will require students leading other students with the support of parents, teachers, and community members. That’s why NARAL MO partners with local high schoolers to identify the current state of sex education curriculum—according to the students, not what the districts claim to be teaching. We then work with students who will build power through organizing, grow in their leadership and advocate for change within their very own districts based on the change they want to see.

Interested in joining us? If you’re a parent or student, email Alex Cook (alex@prochoicemissouri.org).

Currently, this program is limited to St. Louis-area schools.