Researching School Options

There Are Several Types of Schools Available in St. Louis

Learning about the different types of schools is another key part of the school search process. There are several main types of schools that are outlined below. Each type of school has several key differences that will help inform your school choice decision.

After you’ve read about the different types of schools, Navigate STL Schools walk you through how to build a school search reflecting the preferences and priorities you have established.

Public District Schools

How is this school type different: Also known as neighborhood schools, any student living in the geographic boundary of the school is allowed to enroll in this school. There is no application necessary to attend this type of school.

How to enroll in this school type: Based on your address, you are assigned a neighborhood school. To enroll, you will need to present some basic information to the school including a copy of your child’s birth certificate, proof of residency, and their immunization record. You may be asked for records from their previous school if you are transferring in the middle of the school year.

Who runs this school type: These schools are run by St. Louis Public Schools and governed by the publicly-elected School Board of St. Louis.

Tuition at this school type: None

See all Public District Schools

Public Magnet/Choice Schools

How is this school type different: Magnet schools follow a particular theme, like the arts or Montessori, and require students to submit an application and be accepted prior to being able to enroll.

How to enroll in this school type: You must complete an application through slpsmagnetschools.org and be accepted to the school to be able to enroll. This process starts in the fall of the year prior to enrollment and every school has slightly different admissions criteria. Once you are admitted to a magnet or choice school, you don’t have to reapply for the next school year unless you are changing schools. For example, if your child is accepted into first grade at a magnet school, you will not need to reapply for second grade at that same school.

Some magnet schools, including the magnet schools with a gifted education focus, have a highly competitive application process and rely on a lottery to place students who have applied. The gifted application opens in mid-September and students must be tested by the Office of Gifted Education in St. Louis Public Schools to qualify to apply. Other magnet schools may accept students up through the first day of school as long as they meet that school’s specific admission criteria.

Who runs this school type: These schools are run by St. Louis Public Schools and governed by the publicly-elected School Board of St. Louis.

Tuition at this school type: None

See all Public Magnet/Choice Schools

Public Charter Schools

How is this school type different: Charter schools are independent of schools in St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) and have a variety of enrollment types. Some are open to any child living in the city, whereas others may require the student to live in the school’s established attendance zone.

How to enroll in this school type: This varies with different charter schools. Some charter schools require an application and may run a lottery for a limited number of seats each year. Other charter schools may allow walk-in enrollment. Charter schools have different application, lottery, and enrollment deadlines then SLPS magnet schools.

Who runs this school type: Charter schools are run by independent boards that are accountable to their charter sponsor and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Charter schools independently operate outside of SLPS. They receive state funding and are required to give the same state assessments as schools in SLPS.

Tuition at this school type: None

See all Public Charter Schools

Private Independent Schools

How is this school type different: Private independent schools are independent of the state and city school boards. They do not receive public funding and charge tuition to cover the expenses of educating children.

How to enroll in this school type: They are open to any child who completes an application and can pay tuition although financial aid may be available.

Who runs this school type: Private independent schools are run by independent boards rather than the government and elected school board.

Tuition at this school type: Yes, this varies by school. They offer different amounts of financial aid and scholarships.

See all Private Independent Schools

Private Faith-Based Schools

How is this school type different: Private Faith-Based schools (also known as parochial schools) offer students religious instruction in addition to traditional academic classes. They are independent of the state and city school boards. They do not receive funding and charge tuition to cover the expenses of educating children.

How to enroll in this school type: They are open to any child who completes an application and can pay tuition although financial aid may be available.

Who runs this school type: Private Faith-Based schools are run by a board of directors and the affiliated religious institution rather than the government and elected school board.

Tuition at this school type: Yes, this varies by school. They offer different amounts of financial aid and scholarships.

Important note: At this time, data from private faith-based schools is not available on the Navigate STL Schools website.

What Types of Schools are the Best Fit?

Now that you’ve learned about the major types of schools available, here are some questions to consider as you start to refine your school criteria.

To Consider Magnet and Charter Schools, Think About These Items:

• Are you prepared to complete an application for admission?
• What are the admission requirements for the schools you are considering?

To Consider Private Schools, Think About These Items:

• Is it financially feasible for you to consider schools that have tuition?
• If so, what is your budget for tuition payments? Many schools will provide some combination of financial aid and scholarships, you’ll want to be prepared to ask about these on a school visit or at an info session. We will talk more about sample things to ask in the school visit section.

How to Conduct a School Search on the Site

Build a List of Schools

• Start a search by selecting your child’s grade and putting in your address.
• Click the filter button to narrow your search to only show schools that match your criteria (e.g. schools that offer before school care, offer algebra, and do not require tuition).
• Click on the sort by button to view how schools compare across several categories: distance, student learning, safety & climate, number of students, student-teacher ratio, alphabetical A-Z.

Add Schools to Your Favorite List

• Review the schools with your priorities in mind. Refer back to the ‘musts’, ‘nice to haves’, and ‘deal breakers’ that you established.
• Click on the “star” icon to add schools to your list of favorites. Access your favorite list from the top right corner of the page.

Researching School Options Recap

• You’ve learned about the main differences between various school types and know what each one requires before you can enroll your child.
• You’ve learned how to make a search on the site and know how to create filters based on your needs and wants with the ability to sort and compare them in different ways.
• You’ve learned how to add schools to your favorites list based on their programs and offerings for further exploration.

Next Steps

• Start a school search.
• Prepare for a school visit by learning about the different types of visits available and build a list of questions to ask.

You can also view an alphabetical list of all St. Louis City schools available within our school search tool.