How Susie Clark perceives the growing private school “culture” in St. Louis
Throughout St. Louis, private education holds significance in the lives of community members, offering benefits but bringing attention away from struggling St. Louis public schools.
Within the city, there are about 137,900 K-12 students with 32,665, or 24%, enrolled among 149 private schools. This percentage of private school students is over double the Missouri state average, at 11%. This brings up the questions of why so many St. Louis families are deciding to invest in private education, and what are they gaining from it.
In 2021, after working in private education her whole professional career, Susie Clark began her job at Nerinx Hall as the director of special events and constituent records. This fall marks the beginning of her second year at the school. In this interview, which has been edited for length and clarity, Clark shares her feeling about the draw toward private education in St. Louis, and the community that comes with it.
This fall, how would you say the morale of students and teachers is?
Overall, I’d say the teachers have good morale. Of course some things stress teachers out as the school year progresses, but the beginning usually brings excitement. I think as a group, students are happy to be here as well. We do a lot of extra fun stuff throughout the school day, so they have other things to do than just classes.
What is the state of mental health for students like? What kind of resources do you have available for those who may need them?
I think mental health is impacted by the added stress of school. There’s also increased stress from the pandemic. People are really just stressed about everything, especially teens. They have social media, technology, school, societal norms. It isn’t great for students to have technology constantly at their fingertips. I also think there is a stigma to get help, but seeking out help is empowering, whether you’re seeking for it in your circle, from your parents, or other support systems.
What impact has coronavirus had this semester?
Pandemic stress will never go away. It has changed the view on education in and of itself and on the comfort level within schools. Nerinx’s approach has been helpful. We have occasional virtual days now. I think it’s good for prepping for college, and learning from people outside of class. The stress of 2020 and 2021 about pandemic education isn't the same, but the system and mindset is changing. At school, covid cases are low and we are mask optional. We did have some infections caused by the St. Louis University High School mixer though.
What kind of backgrounds do your students come from?
They are diverse groups of kids racially and religiously. They have diverse interests across the board. There is always a place to find a niche within the school.
What kind of opportunities do your students have after high school?
I think our students have great opportunities to find colleges and jobs. We have college counselors to work with the girls, so they get lots of help with decisions. We also have college prep workshops and essay writing camps. Public schools might have these too, but I’m interested to see the data about how many kids go to college from private and public schools. At our school, it seems like everyone wants to be there, but at a public school a less driven kid may choose not to go to college. The focus and the outcome is different.
What do you think are the biggest reasons families send students to private schools and what impact do you think this has on public schools in the area?
I know my own reasons to send my kids. I think the biggest reasons students go to private schools are safety and a faith-based education. I love the catholic school environment. People may not choose to go to a private school because of money, but to me it’s worth it. We have a lot of financial aid programs at Nerinx and a lot of students are impacted by this. I think we give out like over $1 million in financial aid a year to students. I really have no concept of the public school impact. I am still paying taxes toward public schools in my area.
What are your thoughts on last year’s teacher union protests?
I think teachers knew the salary, and could find a new job if necessary. Is the added money going to make you more happy? The archdiocese runs these schools, so they are not technically “private” schools. Private schools do their own thing and that’s different. We still engage with the archdiocese though.
Any final thoughts?
I would say both parties have great offerings, but it’s really about what kind of community or culture you want for your child. I think in a public school, maybe people know who you are and maybe they don’t. In a private school, people will know your name and care about you. You aren’t just another student and you get what you put in. Public school kids that thrive are asserting themselves but private schools create some of that for you. You know your feelings toward a place by how it makes you feel inside.
