So, Where'd You Go To High School?

Education in St. Louis is a hot topic. We are, after all, the city of “Where did you go to high school?” a question so loaded with implications of judgment and box fitting it would make Cojo blush. Because, in St. Louis, where you went to school and where you send your kids to school means something. We all love to run through our "peek into your neighbor’s medicine cabinet" filter. It indicates income, status, religion and political views, just to name a few. It is such a hot topic I can clearly imagine the girls from The View tossing it around:  Elisabeth vehemently (OK, preachily) defending her choice to send her children to a private, elite school. Joy chipping in about her children’s progressive, newer-age (crunchy) school, and Sherri singing the praises of some uber-religious institution. And Whoopi, well, she would definitely support the public school choice, accredited or not. That’s just how she rolls.

So, how do you roll? From my perch as an educator, parent, consultant, and writer, I see people in St. Louis a little obsessed with this. It matters to us. Our decisions are not the same, our criteria for making them differ, but at the end of the day, we all kind of want to take each other's pulse with this little snapshot of information.

For the majority of us living in the city, the topic of where to send your child to school surfaces at, oh, conception. This question comes right after “girl or boy?”  If you are committed to city living, as I am, you may be leery of the continuing saga of St. Louis Public, or lack awareness and confidence in the immerging presence of charter schools.  Your other choices involve tuition or religion or both. You can shop private schools, but most are in the county. And if we wanted to go that route, well, we would just live there.

My family is a typical multi generational south city family. Meaning, at one point in time, we all lived within one square mile of each other. I’m not kidding. When faced with the schooling decision, however, we are divided: My sister sends her boys to Catholic schools, my brothers went "county," and my other sister home-schools.  I opted for public for one (this was before the accreditation issue, not that it matters) and private, crunchy for the other. If you live in the city, what path are you going down?

For those of you who live in the county, with great, award winning districts, what’s your pickle? When, why and how are you choosing private schools over your public school options? Is it family tradition? Religion? Better school lunches?

So tell me, who are you? Elisabeth, Joy, Sherri or Whoopi? I’m kind of the love child of Sherri and Whoopi (yeah, sorry for that mental image). I believe in public school education and micromanaged my son all the way to middle school in SLPS. It fit him. But this time, with my daughter, I choose private. It makes more sense for who she is. I guess for me, my criteria are more aligned with who my children are and what will meet their needs.

Oh, and btw, Cor Jesu.

By Sharon Linde, Education Blogger for SmartParenting

Share This Story
Our Daily Things to Do email is the easiest way to plan your day.
Follow Us
 
Want daily ideas of things to do? How about special offers & giveaways? Sign up and we’ll handle the rest.
Things to Do

Water Waddlers Indoor Drop-In Swim

Stop in and have some fun in the indoor pool at the Lodge of Des Peres with your little one at this drop-in swim time for kids up to age 6. No pre-registration is needed; Water Waddlers is open to residents and non-residents of Des Peres.

View this event »
Spring Training Sea Lion Shows at the Saint Louis Zoo
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Friday, March 29, 2024
Saturday, March 30, 2024

See the amazing sea lions at the Saint Louis Zoo perform for the crowd and cheer them on from the bleachers as the popular Sea Lion Spring Training Shows return. You'll see these beautiful animals perform flipper walks, ball balancing, Olympic-style dives on a high-diving platform, lots of splashing and even more surprises! 

View this event »
Daytime Playtime at Olympia Gymnastics

Daytime Playtime is an open gym for children ages 2-5 where the possibilities for fun and learning (through fun) are endless! Children will participate in activities that build coordination, strength, balance and self-confidence. They'll develop stronger motor skills, social skills, and take part in theme-based creative activities.

 

View this event »
Books for Babies

This special story is geared to little ones ages 6 months to 2 years with a parent or caregiver. In addition to stories, there will be lap bounces, songs, rhymes and more!

 

View this event »
You Might Also Like...

From Our Sponsors
Popular Stories

COCA Ignites Creativity and Sparks Fun for Kids of All Ages, All Summer Long

Stroll along the Walk of Fame in the Delmar Loop, and you’ll spot the playwrights, actors, and artists who got their start in St. Louis, from Tennessee Williams and Katherine Dunham, to Tina Turner and John Goodman. Just a few steps away and around the corner, a new generation of Gateway City superstars will discover their love for the visual and performing arts this summer.

Continue reading »
Farmer's Market Make Great Family Outings! Here is Your 2024 Guide to Farmers Market Across the St. Louis Area

A trip to the farmer’s market is a fun outing for the entire family – and it can be educational too. Make plans to visit one (or several) of these top St. Louis farmers’ markets this spring and summer, so that you and your kids can learn more about where your food comes from and indulge in some of the freshest, seasonal produce the St. Louis region has to offer. Plus, many of these markets offer activities just for kids, feature food trucks, welcome dogs, and more.    

Continue reading »
Life Lessons Learned at Overnight Camp

With the perfect blend of adventure and responsibility, camp life teaches kids valuable lessons they can use for the rest of their lives. If you send your child to overnight camp, here are some life lessons they are likely to learn.

Continue reading »
Spring Break Camps Offer a Variety of Activities for Kids and Teens in St. Louis

Excitement is building for summer and the wide variety of summer camp experiences available for kids in the St. Louis metro area. But first! Spring break is around the corner, and there are plenty of Spring Break camps now enrolling. 

Continue reading »
10 Reasons Your Teen Might Love to be a Camp Counselor

Day or sleepaway summer camp is the perfect place for teens to transition to the world of the employed. The paycheck is nice, but being a summer camp counselor has other rewards, too.

Continue reading »
Follow Us