The St. Louis Public School District is making significant gains, but current events may derail progress and even set the district back. While we have seen major improvements over the past three years in the district, we are also seeing it under attack.
Whether it is the Turner v Clayton court case in St. Louis County Circuit Court or legislation before the Missouri General Assembly, there are a variety of proposals that could allow thousands of St. Louis children to attend districts in the county paid for by the district. If students and funding leave the district, progress will be lost.
SLPS is the city’s school district, and 25,000 of our children attend district schools each day. In the last three years, reading and math skills have improved at a rate exceeding statewide averages. Attendance is up and so is the graduation rate.
There are many great schools in the district – Dunbar Elementary, Vashon High School, Woerner Elementary, Nance Elementary School, L’Overture Middle School, Clyde C. Miller Career Academy, Metro Academic and Classical High School are just a few. If you visit these schools, you will see students engaged in learning with great teachers. You will see technology in classrooms, and new upgrades to the buildings.
Under the leadership of Kelvin Adams, I have seen great strides. The St. Louis Public Schools are our schools, and they are on the right track. Let’s make sure that progress continues.
Michael McMillan, License Collector
City of St. Louis