Private Schools make up 25 percent of all schools in the United States, and 11 percent of all American students attend a private school.  These are significant statistics, which represent a growing number of parents across the country who choose private schools for their children's education.

As we embark on a new millennium, education is a top priority on our government's social agenda.  Issues such as Education Savings Accounts, Learning Technology and School Choice are at the forefront of public policy discussions.  For example, over 1.25 million children nationwide from low-income families applied for the Children's Scholarship Fund in 1999.  In St. Louis, 32 percent of the eligible population - nearly 10,000 families - applied, and approximately 500 received the four-year scholarships, which can be used toward tuition at any private school.  This enormous interest and response demonstrates that parents are looking for choices when it comes to educating children - choices that are afforded by Missouri's outstanding private schools.

The Council for American Private Education (CAPE) was founded in 1971 to create a unified voice for the interests of private schools across the country.  In 1981, MO-CAPE formed as the first state affiliate of the national organization and has since been known as the voice of Missouri's private schools.  MO-CAPE's purpose is to promote the vitality of Missouri's private schools and to enhance their contribution to American Education and to society.  This is accomplished in several ways, including the following activities:

• Providing a framework for communication and cooperation among members to share professional ideas and information for mutual benefit;
• Developing and articulating sound public policy concerning private schools on the national, state and local levels;
• Encouraging diversity in education;
• Ensuring that families have a choice among types of schools for their children; and
• Encouraging those private schools which maintain high standards.

Some of MO-CAPE's recent accomplishments and initiatives are:

• Legislative luncheons with members of the Missouri General Assembly held periodically throughtout the year.
• Annual meeting between representatives of MO-CAPE and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to discuss ways in which Missouri's public and private schools can enhance cooperation, especially with regard to participation in federal programs.
• Continuous monitoring of state educational legislation and its impact on private schools.

MO-CAPE's member groups operate 465 private schools in Missouri, with an enrollment of over 98,000 elementary and secondary students, including approximately 7,000 in pre-kindergarten classes.  The council has made an ongoing commitment to furthering private education in the state of Missouri for years to come.