| District | Has specific policy for transgender students | When policy was implemented | If no policy, how district is handling requests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affton | no | case-by-case | |
| “Affton School District aims to help all of our students to develop into responsible citizens prepared for the challenges of the global society. We respect the rights of every student in our district, and work hard to ensure that the safety and individual needs of all of our students are met every day. Because the law remains unsettled on this issue, we await decisions by our legislators and the courts for a clear path forward. While Affton School District has not adopted a policy regarding transgender students specifically, the District does have, and has had for many years, a policy in place which serves to protect all students from discrimination and harassment. Affton School District, the Board of Education, and our staff are committed to a culture of nondiscrimination. Students who identify as transgender are protected by this policy, along with all of our students. Therefore, if the District is notified that a student is transgender and the student feels he or she has been treated differently in some way on that basis, we have the necessary and required policies and procedures in place to investigate and address such concerns. Issues of that nature are handled on a case-by-case basis. The privacy of our students is protected by our policies and federal law, and that remains in the forefront of our minds when working through these issues with individual students and families.” - Erica Chandler, district spokesperson |
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| Bayless | no | case-by-case | |
| “No board policy, but Bayless works to accomodate students on case-by-case basis.” - Michael Hawkins, district spokesperson |
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| Brentwood | no | case-by-case | |
| “The way we were dealing with families and students previously before the policies is still working for us. We’ve discussed and looked at policies in the past that were drafted. We’ve had a handful of transgender students, but Brentwood is “tiny” district. We felt we haven’t had to draft policy in the past, as we’ve come up with policies on an individual basis. We have met with individual students who identify as transgender. We respond based on what students ask us to do. We haven’t had a problem. We already had bathrooms that were either gender; didn’t have to change anything. Had single-stall restrooms we relabeled from single to dual gender. Not sure how we’ve dealt with locker rooms. No transgender students involved with sports.” - David Faulkner, district superintendent |
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| Clayton | no | wait and see | |
| “We do not have a specific policy that addresses transgender students and their access to facilities/programs in the School District of Clayton. Even prior to May 2016, we have been operating similarly to the May 2016 guidance provided by the Obama administration. We work with students and families on an individual basis to provide a learning experience that is inclusive and free of harassment and discrimination. The District allows students to access the facilities that align with their gender identity. The District also gives these students private facilities options if they so choose. Obviously, we are watching SB 98 (and the Grimm case in the US Supreme Court) very closely. At the end of the day, we believe that there are many decisions in public education that are best left up to the discretion of a local school board. Deciding which bathroom a student should use is certainly one of them and definitely not an issue we feel needs to be legislated. Local control is a fundamental principle of public education in Missouri. School districts need to retain the flexibility to make individual decisions that are in the best interests of their students and their communities.” - Chris Tennill, district spokesperson |
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| Ferguson-Florissant | no | working on it | |
| “Covered under student code of conduct and non-discrimination policy. Our BOE met March 11 in special meeting and focus was to begin delevoping an equity policy. To be enacted in next couple of month. Originally focused on racial equity, but there are other aspects, which could include transgender students or other ways students identify themselves.” - Kevin Hampton, district spokesperson |
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| Hancock Place | no | wait and see | |
| No additional information provided | |||
| Hazelwood | yes | January 2016 | firm policy |
| “The district seeks to provide all students a safe and tolerant learning environment that is free from illegal discrimination and harassment.” View Hazelwood’s full policy here. | |||
| Jennings | no | working on it | |
| “District has some non-discrimination policies, and there’s a draft that would add the word ‘transgender’ but nothing specific to facilities use or transgender students on books now.” - Art McKoy, district superintendent |
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| Kirkwood | no | wait and see | |
| No additional information provided | |||
| Ladue | no | case-by-case | |
| “The Ladue School District, and all of its individual schools, continue to support our transgender students identically to how we have in the past. While there is no specific policy that addresses the issue, our practice has always been to have administrators and teachers in our schools work directly with students and their families to create and support the environment that is most comfortable for them. We have never had issues in the past in this regard, nor do we anticipate having them in the future. This is simply part of our commitment to ensuring every child feels safe and welcome in our schools.” - Susan Downing, district spokesperson |
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| Lindbergh | no | case-by-case | |
| “Lindbergh Schools does not have a policy specific to transgender students. Having said that, our existing policies prevent bullying or harassment of any kind, therefore protecting all students. Lindbergh board policies will continue to comply with Title IX requirements to create a safe environment for all students that does not discriminate. It has always been common practice for administrators to meet with students and their parents on an individual basis to ensure that a child’s needs are being met, and that students are able to learn and grow in a comfortable, secure environment. We value the privacy and safety of all students, and we will continue to work individually with parents and students to make sure that every child feels safe at school.” - Beth Johnson, district spokesperson |
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| Maplewood Richmond Heights | yes | September 2016 | firm policy |
| Summary of procedure: School will change official records and address student by name/pronoun they request. Student shall have access to facility of their choice. School will make accomodations to make student feel safe. Making student use gender non-conforming facility is prohibited unless requested by student. On overnight trips, sleeping accomodations are gender-segregated. Student will have access to accommodations that correspond with their identity. “Due to the rapidly changing legal landscape, the MRH administration and Board of Education developed procedures rather than a policy for transgender students.” - Brian Adkisson, district spokesperson |
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| Mehlville | no | wait and see | |
| “We don’t have a transgender policy per se. We have general policies that prohibit any kind of discrimination. As for transgender issues we follow whatever guidelines and mandates that are set down by the state of Missouri.” - John Wolff, district spokesperson |
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| Meramec Valley | no | case-by-case | |
| “MSBA has policy recommendations. In terms of transgender students, we’ve been able to work out any issue. It’s been amicable. It’s worked. Both sides have been pleased.” - Ed Hillhouse, district superintendent |
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| Normandy | no | working on it | |
| “No, we do not currently have a policy on transgender students but are discussing internally and with colleagues in other districts.” - Sharifah Sims-Williams, district spokesperson |
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| Parkway | no | wait and see | |
| “Parkway does not have a specific board policy regarding restroom or locker room usage based on any particular student’s birth gender. This is because the district already has a nondiscrimination policy stating that our schools do not discriminate against students on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, disability or religion.” - Cathy Kelly, district spokesperson |
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| Pattonville | no | case-by-case | |
| “While we don’t have any policies specifically addressing transgender students, we do have policies which protect and prohibit discrimination of students based on any number of characteristics including sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation (see policies AC - Prohibited Discriminiation/Harrassment and JFCF - Bullying). As for other issues related to transgender students, those are handled on a case-by-case basis and in a manner sensitive to students’ different needs and in a way that follows federal laws protecting student privacy.” - Mickey Schoonover, district spokesperson |
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| Ritenour | no | case-by-case | |
| “Ritenour has a sexual harrassment policy which includes gender and sexual orientation as protected groups.” - Doug Bray, district spokesperson |
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| Riverview Gardens | no | wait and see | |
| Currently reviewing (inactive) the MSBA policy recommendations. Summary from phone call with Melanie Powell-Robinson, district spokesperson |
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| Rockwood | no | wait and see | |
| “In Rockwood, the well-being of our students is paramount. Our commitment to work with all students and their families is unwavering. Regarding transgender students, we will continue to look for guidance from our policies on Title IX (reviewed in 2016), the Family Educational Rights to Privacy (established in 2000), and nondiscrimination and student rights (reviewed in 2012). We understand that kids come to us from a variety of backgrounds and with individual needs. We’ll take care of all students, and realize that ultimately our courts will decide the issues of transgender students and the use of school bathroom facilities. As a school district, we’ll take care of all students, follow our policies and look for the future guidance of our judicial system.” - Cathy Orta, district spokesperson |
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| St. Louis | no | case-by-case | |
| “Handled on a case-by-case basis,we allow students to use bathroom of choice following consultation. If student or parent has an issue, that student is allowed to use a different restroom.” - Patrick Wallace, district spokesperson |
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| University City | no | wait and see | |
| “The Board of Education has not adopted a specific policy regarding transgender students. We are keeping a watchful eye on legal developments, including court cases and federal guidance, and continue to consult with our legal team for advice. Most importantly, however, we value and respect our students and want to ensure that our policies and practices are responsive to their needs, while also consistent with the law. To that end, the District does currently have policies in place to ensure equal educational opportunities for all students”. - Sharonica L. Hardin-Bartley, PhD, PHR, district superintendent |
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| Valley Park | yes | November 2015 | firm policy |
| “Generally, transgender students will be allowed to use bathrooms and locker room facilities that conform with the student’s gender identity. Any student, regardless of gender, gender identity or transgender status, may request access to unisex or more private facilities based on privacy, safety or other concerns, and the district will attempt to accommodate the student depending on the facilities available. Other accommodations might include but are not limited to, providing alternative changing areas, ensuring access to restroom stalls with doors, separating changing areas by curtains, and providing an alternative schedule for using restrooms or changing clothes.” - Lili Schliesser, district spokesperson |
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| Webster Groves | no | case-by-case | |
| “Work with families individually to find what fits their needs. We do have a non-discrimination policy. But practice is to work with families.” - Cathy Vespereny, district spokesperson |
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| Carondolet Leadership Academy | no | case-by-case | |
| “Uses non-discrimination policy and following MSBA recommendations. “A transgender student is protected under the attached board policies. Board polices are always updated and reviewed as needed to comply with state statute and recommendations from MSBA. Please note we do not have locker rooms or an athletic program.” - Apryll Mendez, principal |
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| City Garden Montessori | yes | Before 2014 | firm policy |
| “Our practice when a child has decided to transition or come out as a different gender has been to meet with the child and the child’s parents to develop a plan according to the child’s needs and desires. This includes education for the child’s class as well as education for the rest of the community about gender identity. We also reiterate our commitment to every person having the right to determine who they are and our intolerance of bullying, teasing and discrimination. We do not explicitly state a “bathroom policy” in our handbook, however, our practice is that a child and the child’s parents are able to determine what restroom is best.” - Christie Huck, executive director |
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| Confluence Academies | no | case-by-case | |
| “Confluence Charter Schools has non-discrimination policies that cover all students and staff, regardless of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, etc. You can refer to our board policy manual, which is posted online. As for athletics, Confluence follows Missouri State High School Activities Association guidelines and policies. When it comes to restrooms, we ensure facilities that are in the best interest of the students’ social and emotional well-being, and those decisions are made with the family.” - Nez Savala, district spokesperson |
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| EAGLE College Prep | no | wait and see | |
| “Like many other schools, we are awaiting clarity with regard to how our policies should be written to comply with laws. When our obligations become clear, we will be sure our policies reflect full compliance. What we do know is that it is our mission to provide academic excellence in a safe and loving learning environment. We are mindful of the individual needs of each child and will work to maintain a safe and loving learning environment in our schools.” - Amber Kraus, district spokesperson |
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| Gateway Science Academy | no | wait and see | |
| “Gateway Science Academy believes it is essential to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. As such, GSA complies with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs and activities. GSA also complies with state and federal laws protecting all students, including trans and gender non-conforming students, from discrimination, bullying, or harassment.” - Christopher Murphy, district spokesperson |
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| Grand Center Arts Academy | no | ||
| See Confluence Academy. | |||
| Hawthorn Leadership School for Girls | no | working on it | |
| “As a new school we are still in the process of drafting a policy, and as you know Hawthorn is a special case as a single-sex school. In creating a policy, we are working with the Young Women’s Leadership Network, with which we affiliate. As we develop a policy about gender non-conforming students, we will consider both existing students and those who are seeking to enroll at Hawthorn. We are considering policies that are being developed by public and independent schools, particularly single-sex schools, as we move toward developing our own effective practices to support gender non-conforming or gender-questioning students. The Young Women’s Leadership Network affiliate schools will be discussing this in our March conference call and at the Spring Convening in April. This issue is important to our network, and we are taking care to draft an effective policy.” - Mary Stillman, executive director |
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| KIPP St. Louis | no | wait and see | |
| No additional information provided | |||
| Lafayette Preparatory Academy | yes | August 2015 | firm policy |
| “We adopted the policy to ensure that all students at LPA are treated with dignity and respect. We did have a transgendered student at the time the policy was adopted. That student and family did not make specific requests, but we did have conversations about how to best support all students’ needs at LPA.” - Susan Marino, executive director |
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| La Salle Middle School | no | wait and see | |
| “We have policies which protect all students from discrimination, bullying and harassment. We do not currently have a policy that is specific to transgender students’ use of restrooms, locker rooms (which we don’t have), or participation in athletics (which we also currently do not have).” - Melissa Brickey, executive director |
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| Lift for Life Academy | — | case-by-case | |
| View the school’s non-discrimination statement here. | |||
| Northside Community School | no | working on it | |
| “North Side does not have a policy. Our board is studying the issue. We haven’t had a transgender student to date.” - John Grote, executive director |
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| Preclarus Mastery Academy | yes | April 2017 | firm policy |
| From official policy: “Students shall have access to the restroom that corresponds to their legal gender. Any student who has a need or desire for increased privacy, regardless of the underlying reason, should be provided access to a single stall restroom, but no student shall be required to use such a restroom.” | |||
| Premier Charter School | — | case-by-case | |
| “Premier does not have a written policy regarding restroom access by transgender students. This is an issue we believe is best addressed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the individual needs of our students. As with any situation involving students, we will continue to evaluate to determine if a written policy is appropriate. Our primary interest is in ensuring that we provide a safe and effective educational environment for all of our students.” - Dr. Julie Frugo, head of school |
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| St. Louis College Prep | no | wait and see | |
| “Last month, we attended an event hosted by the Missouri Charter Public School Association that addressed these specific issues. During the presentation by Tom Durphy from Shands, Elber, Gianoulakis & Gilium, he recommended that we wait for the courts to rule on what we should specifically have in our policies before changing them. Basically, his presentation outlined some of the different cases now in the court system and their possible implications for schools moving forward. I’d be happy to connect you with Tom if you’d like to hear more from his end. His other recommendation was that we do whatever we can in our current power to accommodate transgender students in a way that does not discriminate against them in any way. We do not yet have gender neutral restrooms, however, if we do have a student who identifies as transgender, that student is allowed to use our staff restrooms located on every floor in the building. Regarding athletics and the other areas you discussed, we don’t yet have a policy as we are waiting on rulings from the court system per Tom’s recommendation.” - Mike Malone, executive director |
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| St. Louis Language Immersion School | no | case-by-case | |
| “SLLIS does not currently have a set of policies for transgender students. However, we are committed to serving every child and meeting their needs as a unique individual—regardless of gender identity or gender expression. Just as an fyi—We don’t have locker rooms or traditional gym spaces. And one of our campuses has only individual bathrooms in classrooms—no traditional multi-stall bathrooms at our Marine campus as are usually found in schools.” - Lilith Werner, PhD, superintendent |
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| The Biome School | no | wait and see | |
| No additional information provided | |||