Julie Bierach

In 2009, KIPP Inspire Academy opened its doors in St. Louis. Since then, the charter school has grown from a single class of 80 5th graders to a school of 330 students in grades 5th through 8th, many of them behind by two years in reading and math.

St. Louis Public Radio's Julie Bierach recently spoke with KIPP's Executive Director Kelly Garrett about the school's education model that puts just as much emphasis on character as it does on reading and writing.
 

After 130 years, St. Elizabeth Academy, a private Catholic all-girls high school in St. Louis City will close this month.

As St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie Bierach reports, dedicated long-time teachers are in tears, while some alumni are racing against the clock in their pursuit to continue the school’s legacy.

Don’t Step On the Seal

The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for St. Louis City and several Missouri counties, including Iron, Jefferson, Madison, St. Charles, St. Francois, St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve and Washington. The Tornado Watch is in effect until 11 a.m.

A new report says Missouri's unemployment rate edged lower in January while the state recorded a net loss  of 4,700 jobs.

Tuesday's report from the Department of Economic Development says the state's jobless rate stood at 6.5 percent in January, down one-tenth of a point from December.

The trade, transportation and utilities sector reported the largest decline in jobs with a drop of 2,700 positions. The manufacturing sector lost 1,400 jobs, and the information sector lost 1,200 jobs.