St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent Kelvin Adams met with the staff at Sumner High School Tuesday to talk about closing the 135-year-old school and the first school for black students west of the Mississippi.
With the increasing high levels of violence and dropout rates of 40 percent, Adams suggested either reforming the school immediately with a large community effort or closing it.
Another option would be to close the school in January and reopen it next fall, as a magnet school or a community-run school.
The school at 4248 Cottage Avenue has nearly 600 students, and a majority are bused in from other neighborhoods. The enrollment has shrunk by half over five years, and the dropout rates have doubled. According to a study of city school buildings, Sumner houses 57 percent of its capacity.
District officials said that Adams is currently gathering data about Sumner, including graduation rates, absences and tardiness, in order to make a recommendation to the district’s Special Administration Board.
The board will have a meeting tonight, but Sumner is not on the agenda. The next meeting is Dec. 17, however the board could call a special meeting to talk about the issue. The SAB will make the final decision after Adams’ recommendation.
Adams has also spoke with the school’s alumni association and local public officials. Sumner alumni are writing a proposal for reforming the school and keeping it open. Famed alumni include singer Tina Turner, tennis great Arthur Ashe and musician Chuck Berry.