“School choice is not a problem when you have families that are paying for the schools…it is only weaponized when our middle and low class families are offered this choice…[STL Voices Academy is] bringing the benefits that affluent families have benefitted from for years now, and we’re bringing it, making it more accessible for all families, and now it’s a problem.”

Steward Stiles

Today’s guest is Steward Stiles, the Associate Director of Student Recruitment and Family Partnership at STL Voices Academy of Media Arts. Steward sat down with Staci to discuss finding the right educational fit, the value our children have in STL’s education system, navigating restrictive legislation on the recruiting of students, and more.

• K-12 education
  • Steward went to Hazel West High School.
  • He graduated from Webster University and a Masters from Grand Canyon University.
  • Steward’s educational journey began in college when he was teaching core music, being the assistant director for concert choir there at Webster University.
  • He is a music teacher by trade, with the majority of his experience being in Charter spaces.
    
• What is recruiting for elementary schools?
  • For charter schools, schools of choice, parents have to choose their school for their children. So the schools have to attract the parents to let them know that their school would be a viable choice for their child’s education.
  • The right fit includes the parents feeling welcome and feeling invested.
  • Outside of the academic basics, what are the bells and whistles? For example, our school is a media arts school.
  • The students have access to a podcast room, they’re doing a film camp, because finding a niche, finding something beyond the standard curriculum, helps define a good fit.
    
• Talk about STL Voices Academy as a whole
  • It is a new school. 
  • Dr. Holly Russell-West is our executive director and founder. She is a product of SLPS and wanted to create a school to be serviced to the city as a whole, but specifically for the Northside. 
  • The school is a response to what the community was needing – media arts.
  • With being a startup school, they are K-5 with growth, so they add a grade every year. 
  • The con is, because we have such an attraction for new families to come in, we don’t have the capacity to accommodate all grades. So that leaves some families out of the age band.
    
• What is your personal approach to school recruitment?
  • “My personal approach to school recruitment is to be a person, right? What comes from the heart, reaches the heart. I literally have to ask myself 1. Do I want my child to be in this school? And 2. Am I the right fit for this family?”
  • “There have been many times where I’ve recruited and I know in my mind that this might not be the perfect fit for them. Not because the school isn’t good. Not because the child isn’t smart. But what the parent wants or is looking for, may not be what we have to offer. Not every school is for everybody. So we have to have that conversation and maturity to say ‘hey, this might not be the best fit.’”
    
• What is something unexpected you have encountered?
  • For one, families are leaving the city. Which makes it difficult for recruitment to reach families that could possibly need the school. Most of them are moving out to the counties.
  • The Missouri legislature limits them from reaching people outside the city.
  • 13:15 – 14:09 – “School choice is not a problem when you have families that are paying for the schools…it is only weaponized when our middle and low class families are offered this choice…[STL Voices Academy is] bringing the benefits that affluent families have benefitted from for years now, and we’re bringing it, making it more accessible for all families, and now it’s a problem.”
    
• What is one of the greatest challenges facing SLPS?
  • There needs to be a real assessment of how we allocate funding throughout certain school districts and schools.
  • There needs to be a reassessment and a reinvestment in our teachers and staff, because there is a massive shortage of qualified teachers.
  • There are people looking to become teachers, but we need to create a proper lane for them to get certified.
  • Your child, per year, is worth $12-14k. If you don’t raise your voice and speak up for your child’s education, then you’re just being used. If not, you pull your child and you pull the money.
    
• What are some tips for parents?
  • If you’re going to do a tour, bring your child.
  • You need to ask about the curriculum.
  • What are the resources that will be available to the child?

• What gives you hope for education in STL?
  • Historically, we’ve always seen certain families leave the city in hopes of a better education, but I’ve seen families turning back to the city and realize there are better options in the city now.
  • The tide is turning for the better to where, not only the city families are excited, but families outside of the city are looking toward the city.
    
• Where can we find you?
  • https://www.stlouisvoicesacademy.org/ 
  • Facebook – St.Louis Voices Academy of Media Arts
  • Instagram – @STLVoices