New alternative schools in jeopardy, despite acclaim

ST. LOUIS -- Two new St. Louis schools, hailed as national models by supporters of alternatives to public education, will likely shut down after this year unless they are approved as charter schools, organizers said.

The opening of the tuition-free St. Louis Academies this year was unprecedented, because it was done in a matter of weeks, entirely with private money.

Organizers had hoped to open six schools this year for 3,000 St. Louis children. But the group of ministers, educators and investors had hoped for approval to become a state-funded charter school. When that approval didn't materialize, they scrambled and opened two schools for fewer than 500 children.

Charter status would have to be approved by April.