Stand with us for quality, accessible, and equitable public schools in St. Louis. Say NO to opening more Charter Schools!  

BELIEVE STL Academy is applying to open a 9-12 charter high school on the Northside of the City of St. Louis in the Fall of 2024. In 2021, the City of St. Louis Board of Aldermen passed Resolution 65; a moratorium to prohibit new schools like BELIEVE STL Academy from opening.  BELIEVE and other charter schools continue to forcibly open in Black and Brown communities where they are not welcomed.

The founder of Believe, Mrs. Kimberly Neal-Brannum, is actively working and receiving funding from privatizers and the Opportunity Trust whose founder, Eric Scroggins stated that the goal of their organization was to "burn down" St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS).  Furthermore, Believe’s promise to offer a family atmosphere, college classes, industry certification, and associate degrees upon graduation is already offered in SLPS high schools.

Charter schools receive public funding, but charter schools are not public schools.  Charter schools take resources and dollars away from St. Louis Public Schools, leading to layoffs, larger class sizes, school closures, and exclude the most vulnerable students with disabilities, behavior issues, and new English language learners. Worst of all, they cannot be held accountable by voters like our public schools.

Researchers have found that opening charter schools like BELIEVE leads to the closing of our neighborhood schools and the tearing apart of our communities.  Which body of students will be disrupted so a small minority of students will have the opportunity to attend the new charter school? Which of the 12 SLPS high schools will have to close for BELIEVE?

Our communities deserve great schools, not community institutions that are burned down. Let’s protect our public schools and the communities they serve.

Sign this petition to stop Believe STL Academy's Charter Application and the opening of more charter schools in St. Louis and Save our St. Louis Public Schools to ensure success for our students, families, and the city.

Public schools are a vital public good, worth fighting for!

St. Louis American Article 2/9/2022 SLPS Supporters at State Capitol Jefferson City, MO. In opposition to possible funding cut.

                                        St. Louis American Article 10/28/21