Our passion is high-quality, virtual learning opportunities for all students.

Launch Virtual Learning Center main building

Our Story


How do you best serve students? By providing them with more opportunities. Rewind to 2012, when Springfield Public Schools (SPS) began writing its own online courses to serve its 25,000+ learners. They soon hired two full-time course developers and—with the help of curriculum instructors and highly certified teachers—they developed a course catalog of nearly 50 course options for Springfield Public Schools students.

Fast forward to today, and Launch has a catalog of more than 500 courses and serves students from hundreds of school districts statewide. Day in and day out, our team members work tirelessly in support of our purpose-driven mission: providing all Missouri students with high-quality virtual learning opportunities. And this reaches far beyond our virtual classrooms. Each and every one of our 300+ full-time teachers and 60+ full-time team members are motivated by Launch’s vision of unlocking the full potential of virtual learning and launching students as global citizens who positively impact the world.

Launch Mission

To provide all Missouri students with high-quality virtual learning opportunities.

Launch Vision

To unlock the full potential of virtual learning and launch students as global citizens who positively impact the world.
More than 20 percent of Launch’s team members have had their children enrolled in Launch courses.”
The Arch in St. Louis with the words "The  numbers that make us"

The Dream Team


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How does Launch’s team of 50+ full-time employees spend their time? Dreaming up ideas for the best quality virtual courses, then finding ways to deliver them to Missouri’s K-12 students.

Launch Leadership Team

Dr. Ben Hackenwerth

Chief Innovation & Strategy Officer
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Dr. Nichole Lemmon

Director of Virtual Learning & Strategic Planning
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Dr. Brady Quirk

Assistant Director of Virtual Learning
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Dr. Theresa Christian

Principal of Virtual Learning
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Dr. Meghan Roe

Coordinator of Course Development
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Darren Rush

Systems Supervisor
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Ben Cook

Project Manager
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Savannah Waszczuk

Manager of Marketing & Engagement
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Jessica Johnson

SIS Coordinator
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Launch Teams


Student Services


How do you run a virtual school? Our principal, assistant principals, and enrollment team ensure teachers are able to best support their students in the virtual classroom. This team also supports partner districts with enrollments and transcripts.

Digital Development


Put your student hat on! This team of highly qualified tech brains takes Missouri-aligned curriculum from the classroom and transforms it into an online format.

Partner Engagement


What courses can students take? How can parents best support their learners? Our partner engagement team designs and delivers crucial communications for all-things Launch and supports districts with their virtual learning goals.

IT & Support


Whether you need help logging on or you’re having a technical issue, we can help! Launch’s support team is available by phone, chat,  and email to assist students 5 days a week.

Interested in joining our team? 

We are always looking for teachers and professionals who love making an impact in students lives. Check our current openings and find out how you can fuel your career.

Join Our TeamSee current openings.