Schools & Education
Public schools inside the city limits are, for the most part, vastly under-funded and are regarded by many as a sort of “education of last resort”. The public schools in some of the many suburban school districts are excellent, as are private schools such as St. Louis Country Day, the Mary Institute, and Christian Brothers High School. The major post-secondary colleges in St. Louis and the greater metro area include Saint Louis University-- the oldest university west of the Mississippi, the University of St. Louis at St. Louis (UMSL), Washington University, the main (and historical) campus of the worldwide network of Webster University campuses, the traditionally African-American teachers college Harris-Stowe State University, Fontbonne University, Maryville University, Lindenwood University, and Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.