By: Chukwuma Okoro, M.A. and Madeleine Boutelet-Smith, M.A.
Since 1998, educational options for students in St. Louis City have changed with the introduction of charter schools and the phase out of the inter-district desegregation program. During this time, enrollment in St. Louis Public Schools also declined. This brief shows the importance of accounting for VICC enrollment when tracking charter school and district enrollment changes. Using multiple public data sources, we document the number of students enrolled in traditional public, magnet, charter, private, and county schools through the desegregation program, VICC. We also provide descriptive evidence on the relationship between applications to VICC and the opening of charters in the city. We conclude with considerations for school choice for St. Louis policy-makers.
Key Points:
The school-aged population in St. Louis has declined by 47 percent from 65,968 in 2000 to 34,866 in 2024
Enrollment acrossschool types has declined except for charters.
The interdistrict desegregation program (VICC) phased out its enrollment as charters increased their enrollment. The number of children participating in VICC peaked at 13,493 in 1993, falling to 1,949 in 2024.
Overall, while enrollment of Black and white students in public schools fell, enrollment of Hispanic students increased.
Please Cite As: Okoro, C., & Smith, M.C. (2026). Where are St. Louis students choosing to go to school?: St. Louis Enrollment Trends Since 2000. Policy Research in Missouri Education, 8(16). www.primecenter.org/publications.