Full-service schools to begin in St. Louis

By Sharon Stevens Education Reporter

KSDK -- It's a concept popular in cities such as Chicago, Minneapolis, Houston and Los Angeles and now full-service schools will begin operating in St. Louis starting August 20th.

District officials promise the schools will offer more than classes for students.

There are 13 sites that will offer a variety of resources including medical, dental, family counseling and help with housing and employment.

Some of the sites were originally known as community schools. The concept is the same but it has been broadened to included more services and this time, each school will dedicate two classrooms to the efforts. The district is also partnering with more agencies including the YMCA, SLATE and City Hall.

Officials see full-service schools as one-stop centers to deal with a variety of family and community needs.

John Windom is the executive director of the Division of Community Education.

"What we know is that too many of these students deserve a standing ovation for just getting to the school house door," he said. "And if they do make it there, then we have a very special responsibility to give them the support that they need to be successful not only in the school setting, but in the broader community."

The full service school program is one of the first major initiatives under new superintendent Kelvin Adams.

The 13 sites will be:
1) Bevo-Long Middle School
2) Lyon at Blow K-8 School
3) Clay Elementary School
4) Ford Elementary School
5) Hamilton eMINTS Elementary School
6) Mullanphy Botanical Garden Investigative Learning Center
7) Nottingham Community Access & Job Training High School
8) Shaw Visual and Performing Arts Elementary School
9) Sigel Elementary School
10) Stevens Middle School
11) Vashon High School
12) Walbridge Elementary
13) Yeatman-Liddell Middle School