Schools

St. Louis Charter School focuses on the integration of technology and project-based learning activities to instruct children in grades kindergarten through eighth. It takes a rigorous academic approach to core studies and also offers Spanish, physical education, music, and art. The school is in session for longer school days than other area schools.

The school also offers before and afterschool programs and clubs, summer academic and recreational camps, tutoring services, and transportation to those who qualify. When applications exceed school capacity, enrollment is determined by a lottery-style admissions process.

The Goddard School for Early Childhood Development, a national chain, has five locations throughout the greater St. Louis area and offers childcare and education for children ages six weeks to six years old, in both half- and full-day schedules. At each location, the owner and a a director of education are on-site at all times.

Kids are schooled in art history, music, manners, yoga, reading, American Sign Language, Spanish, and other subjects - all presented in a positive, fun manner.

Most Goddard School locations offer private kindergarten classes, as well as after school and summer programs. Because programs vary by location, interested parents should visit the website's locations page first, and then call the location nearest you to determine what's most appropriate, and enjoyable, for your child.

Kindercare - part of the national Kindercare network of childcare centers - offers programs for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, and before and afterschool care. A summer program with flexible scheduling is offered for schoolage children.

The centers focus on a developmental approach - that is, hands-on, experiential learning in a no-pressure, lively environment. The kindergarten program is a comprehensive skill-based program, designed to prepare children for the first grade and success in school.

Children at these centers can also participate in Kelsey's Learning Adventures, enrichment programs featuring small teacher-to-child ratios to enhance understanding of phonics, math, reading, and Spanish.

An accredited program that offers Head Start Preschool and kindergarten readiness programs for children ages three to five, Radiant Faith Academy also accepts children as young as six weeks. Before and afterschool care for older children is offered.

Full- and part-time schedules are available; a drop-in fee of $25/daily is also offered.

The St. Louis Community College - Meramec is housed on a 78-acre campus and includes the Meramec Contemporary Art Gallery, the Meramec Theatre, the Meramec Campus Child Care Center, and a gymnasium.

Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, Downtown Children’s Center is a not-for-profit childcare center that opened in 1978. The center relies partially on the support of downtown St. Louis businesses to serve parents who work or live in the area. The center moved to its new, state-of-the-art facility in late 2007.

The center accepts children from six weeks to six years of age, has locked entrances to prevent unauthorized access to the lobby area and building, and prepares students for kindergarten readiness. Teachers receive regular professional development.

A summer day camp program for children ages six to 12 is offered with six 2-week sessions; the price is $440 per session or $220 per week.

Wee Care Child Development Center accepts children from infants to age 13, is state licensed, and open 24 hours a day.

Operated as a non-profit organziation, Shaw Avenue Children's Center bases its program on a commitment to family support, inclusion of persons with special needs, and the practice of conflict resolution learning. Parents love the small teacher-to-child ratios and the smaller classroom enrollments.

Because it is located in a central, urban area, the center boasts that "the city is our playground" - teachers often take children to city locales for exploring and entertainment.

The facility itself is divided into four classrooms for the four age groups served; the outdoor area has a children's garden, sand box, hardscaped riding area, and play structures. The center serves breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack to children beyond infancy.

Like a virtual children's art museum, Artsonia is an online collection of kids' artwork from around the world. Kids can take the masterpieces they've created and upload them onto the website. Family and friends can then visit the artwork and participate in activities that allow them to take an active role in a child's art education, even if they live far away. There is no cost to participate, and Artsonia currently has artwork from children in over 100 countries.

There is no cost to participate and the site includes artwork from children in more than 100 countries. Artsonia is a young, Chicago-based company, and was recognized by the National Art Education Association (NAEA) in 2005 for its outstanding contribution to art education in the United States.

Homeschoolers can also find a variety of complete lesson plans created by art teachers. And many artsy gift items available for sale online.

LifeLight Youth Theatre is a theater arts group for children, especially designed for homeschooled students. The organization offers weekly classes, one-day workshops, and summer camp workshops. LifeLight stages one full-length production each year.

S.H.A.R.E., or St. Louis Activities, Resources, and Encouragement, is an independent support group for homeschooling families in the St. Louis area. The group hosts monthly support group meetings, field trips, co-op classes, holiday parties, reading incentive programs, and many others. The organization's website has complete details and schedules.

Operated as a non-profit organziation, Shaw Avenue Children's Center bases its program on a commitment to family support, inclusion of persons with special needs, and the practice of conflict resolution learning. Parents love the small teacher-to-child ratios and the smaller classroom enrollments.

Because it is located in a central, urban area, the center boasts that "the city is our playground" - teachers often take children to city locales for exploring and entertainment.

The facility itself is divided into four classrooms for the four age groups served; the outdoor area has a children's garden, sand box, hardscaped riding area, and play structures. The center serves breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack to children beyond infancy.

In operation since 1947, Nursery Foundation Learning Center is a fully licensed and accredited child care center that focuses on a multicultural approach to learning and active parent involvement. The center uses the Creative Curriculum, which focuses on the developmental progress of each child.

The center partners with the YWCA to offer Head Start funding for a portion of the children enrolled in the center.

The Freedom School is a challenging, Christ-centered elementary school, which can trace its history back to the mid-nineteenth century, when former slave John Berry Meacham founded the original Freedom School.

The Freedom School uses a variety of funding to help families afford the tuition: Foundations, churches, and corporations all contribute to the school. Community volunteers serve as vital assistants both in and out of the classrooms. The school has playground, lunchroom, auditorium, and gymnasium

Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, Downtown Children’s Center is a not-for-profit childcare center that opened in 1978. The center relies partially on the support of downtown St. Louis businesses to serve parents who work or live in the area. The center moved to its new, state-of-the-art facility in late 2007.

The center accepts children from six weeks to six years of age, has locked entrances to prevent unauthorized access to the lobby area and building, and prepares students for kindergarten readiness. Teachers receive regular professional development.

A summer day camp program for children ages six to 12 is offered with six 2-week sessions; the price is $440 per session or $220 per week.

Raintree Learning Community - a private preschool and kindergarten - uses open-ended materials, collaborative curriculum, hands-on and discovery based learning, portfolio assessment, and project work as the basis of its educational approach. The school emphasizes
innovation and imagination, a reverence of the earth, and peacemaking, among other values.

Raintree Learning Community has an art studio, teaching kitchen, library, school pond, and a "playscape" - a living classroom for hands-on science and art exploration. Extracurricular activities are scheduled late in the afternoons and are called "pods," which are developed from the interests of the student body.

Full-time classes are available; part-time opportunities also allow students to attend five days a week from 9am-1pm.

Operated as a non-profit organziation, Shaw Avenue Children's Center bases its program on a commitment to family support, inclusion of persons with special needs, and the practice of conflict resolution learning. Parents love the small teacher-to-child ratios and the smaller classroom enrollments.

Because it is located in a central, urban area, the center boasts that "the city is our playground" - teachers often take children to city locales for exploring and entertainment.

The facility itself is divided into four classrooms for the four age groups served; the outdoor area has a children's garden, sand box, hardscaped riding area, and play structures. The center serves breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack to children beyond infancy.

St. Louis Charter School focuses on the integration of technology and project-based learning activities to instruct children in grades kindergarten through eighth. It takes a rigorous academic approach to core studies and also offers Spanish, physical education, music, and art. The school is in session for longer school days than other area schools.

The school also offers before and afterschool programs and clubs, summer academic and recreational camps, tutoring services, and transportation to those who qualify. When applications exceed school capacity, enrollment is determined by a lottery-style admissions process.

Crestview Middle School, a Missouri Gold Star School and National Blue Ribbon School, serves more than 1,000 kids in grades six through eight.

A religious, co-ed elementary school, St. Louis Catholic Academy also offers preschool, pre-kindergarten, and all-day kindergarten programs, as well as extended day care.

The Freedom School is a challenging, Christ-centered elementary school, which can trace its history back to the mid-nineteenth century, when former slave John Berry Meacham founded the original Freedom School.

The Freedom School uses a variety of funding to help families afford the tuition: Foundations, churches, and corporations all contribute to the school. Community volunteers serve as vital assistants both in and out of the classrooms. The school has playground, lunchroom, auditorium, and gymnasium

Instruction in ballet, tap, jazz, musical theater, drama, art, and music is the focus of DaySpring School of the Arts, a school that infuses Christian values and character training into its classes. Homeschooling families often take part in many of the school's offerings.

The school is home to "The Company," a dance troupe of the school's strongest and most committed dancers, as well as to a musical theater troupe and The Drama Company, all of which perform throughout the year at community events and schools.

The school's summer programming includes two-week musical theater workshops, week-long art camps, preschool art and dance camp, and Shakespeare at the Lake for older children. Private music lessons can be arranged year 'round.

Produced by a publisher of education guides, Peterson's has a database of about 1,400 private secondary schools. The descriptions are comprehensive, well-fleshed out, and often include links to the schools' own web sites.

The website also includes materials and tips for seeking financial aid and preparing for standardized tests, and advice for parents.

The TABS website has listings of hundreds of schools and the database is accessible at no charge. The write-ups are sketchy at best, but do typically include contact information.

A school directory that lays out in clear, easy-to-understand fashion all the public schools in the state. Not only does it provide brief profiles of each, it enables you to compare salient features of one school against another.

The force behind this website, GreatSchools, Inc, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the best, most comprehensive information about schools. Its mission is to not only help parents choose schools for their children, but to help parents and community members understand, support, and improve public schools in particular.

For each school, the site includes class size, test scores, demographics, and teacher qualifications. What we like best are the tools, which allow you to refine your own search for the right school. It lets you look by district, type (charter, public, private), and specialty (gifted, special needs). We're slightly less enthusiastic about the service articles, which address various ways of coping with problems parents might encounter along the way. Topics include "Homework Horrors," and "How to Choose the Right School for Your Child." You're likely to still be looking for the answers after you've finished reading these.

There's only so much detail the site can go into in describing each school. It's not clear, for instance, how involved the parent body is, nor how effectively particular programs are implemented. (And the site that can figure out how to do that is a truly great one.) But if you're just beginning the search for a school and need an overview, you might want to start here.

Mid-America Therapy offers a wide range of therapy for children who need extra help because of, for example, delays in motor, social, and visual motor skills development or problems with sensory integration.

Staff members are trained to assist with many kinds of issues using several therapy techniques, including speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and therapeutic listening therapy.

The venue offers many classes like sensory motor fun, handwriting skills, and yoga for kids.

Operated as a non-profit organziation, Shaw Avenue Children's Center bases its program on a commitment to family support, inclusion of persons with special needs, and the practice of conflict resolution learning. Parents love the small teacher-to-child ratios and the smaller classroom enrollments.

Because it is located in a central, urban area, the center boasts that "the city is our playground" - teachers often take children to city locales for exploring and entertainment.

The facility itself is divided into four classrooms for the four age groups served; the outdoor area has a children's garden, sand box, hardscaped riding area, and play structures. The center serves breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack to children beyond infancy.

Non-profit Folk School of St. Louis uses music and folk arts to build community.

The organization offers introductory through advanced classes in guitar, fiddle, mandolin, harmonica, banjo, bass, dulcimer, and ensembles for adults and older teens. Children's fiddle classes for kids as young as five and a range of workshops are also offered.

Perhaps best of all, three Saturdays a month between noon and 3pm, students engage in fun-for-all, public (and free) jam sessions; check website for the schedule.