Dr. Kelvin R. Adams is in his 12th year as Superintendent of Schools for the Saint Louis Public Schools in the 2019-2020 school year. He oversees nearly 22,000 students in grades PreK-12 and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the District’s 4,000-plus employees and $400 million budget.
“Creating Great Options” for the children of St. Louis is Dr. Adams’ focus. His vision has helped create single-gender classroom schools, an African-centered curriculum school, a nationally recognized school for new Americans, a new medical and bioscience high school, a designated educational therapeutic support school for PreK-8, and the expansion of early childhood classrooms.
In 2015, he wrapped up the District’s $155 million facilities improvement plan, which resulted in updated cafeterias, modernized classrooms and increased technology for students. Starting this year, he will oversee the allocation of Proposition 1 funding for early childhood education, character and alternative education options, improved safety and security equipment and personnel, and competitive salaries for teachers and staff.
The results speak volumes. Under Dr. Adams’ guidance, Saint Louis Public Schools has increased its graduation rate, improved state test scores and boosted attendance rates each year. In 2012, the District’s accreditation status was upgraded from Unaccredited to Provisionally Accredited. In 2015, the District earned enough points to be Fully Accredited.
Prior to joining Saint Louis Public Schools, Dr. Adams held positions as Chief of Staff, Associate Dean/Interim Dean and Charter School Liaison, High School Principal, Middle School Principal and Executive Director of Middle Schools.
Dr. Adams received a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership in Administration from the University of New Orleans in 2005. He earned a M.A. in Elementary Education from Xavier University in 1991 and a B.A. in Elementary Education and Special Education from Northeast Louisiana University in 1978.
Email Dr. Adams at supt@slps.org.