Designated as the nation’s “Best Sports City,” St. Louis is home to three professional sports teams and 12 professional sports championships, which are a testimony to the commitment and enthusiasm St. Louisans feel for their community. This championship mentality is also apparent in efforts for social and education reform, as recently the city has rallied around finding long-term solutions for these issues. Given St. Louis Public Schools’ poor performance and recent loss of accreditation, many of the region’s top political, business, and education leaders have begun to see Teach For America corps members and alumni as a force for change. As revitalization transforms St. Louis, our corps members and alumni are highly sought after to lead new initiatives, not only within the field education, but also in a variety of other sectors. Diverse opportunities exist to positively impact education reform abound.
| Quick Stats |
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| Site Since: 2002 |
| Corps Size: 146 |
| Average yearly temperature: 53.6° |
| Car: Access to a car is essential |
Salary: See cost of living  |
St. Louis boasts the third-lowest cost of living of U.S. cities, which is complemented by its numerous, free points of interest. Many corps members relax in Forest Park, which is one of the country’s largest urban parks and an oasis of green space within the heart of the city. The park is home to the St. Louis Zoo and the St. Louis Art Museum, which both offer free admission. With ample leadership opportunities and attractions, it is clear why Forbes magazine ranked St. Louis the 14th “Best City for Young Professionals.”
Want to know more about life as corps member? Visit our corps member perspective page for photo galleries and more
Life
With 79 unique and culturally diverse neighborhoods and such a low cost of living, St. Louis corps members have many housing options from which to choose. Some corps members live in the beautiful turn-of-the-century homes turned apartments of the Central West End, which draws residents seeking eclectic restaurants, trendy art galleries, and cozy neighborhood pubs. Other corps members prefer young, vibrant Soulard and downtown St. Louis, where they reside in newly restored French-influenced Victorian homes and early 20th century factory buildings-turned lofts. Others live in the diverse Tower Grove and Shaw neighborhoods, near the Missouri Botanical Gardens, where one can find an array of ethnic restaurants, neighborhood cafes, local bars, and independent bookstores.
Watch a video about young professionals who have recently moved to St. Louis and their experiences living there.
Corps Culture
Because of St. Louis’ strong sense of community, the city fosters a tightly-knit corps. It is common for corps members to bump into each other while running everyday errands or to get together for an evening out. While most live with other corps members in one of many unique neighborhoods, those who choose to live alone or with other roommates also find ample opportunity to connect with the corps.
The regional program team provides resources and support to corps members as they work toward effecting dramatic gains in student achievement. Corps members participate in Professional Saturdays (facilitated by local Teach For America corps members, alumni, and outside guests) and monthly Learning Team Meetings hosted by second-year corps members and alumni. Program directors provide additional support by making classroom observations and providing feedback on an ongoing basis, in addition to meeting with corps members to discuss challenges and connect corps members to meaningful learning experiences and teaching resources.
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