KIPP St. Louis High School closes for two weeks after weapons found on campus

(ST. LOUIS)

Classes at KIPP St. Louis High School were canceled this week and will move online for another week to tighten security after weapons were found on campus.

A student brought a gun Friday to the charter school at 706 North Jefferson Avenue in the Downtown West neighborhood, the third time a weapon has been discovered this fall.

Classes will be held virtually next week and resume in-person on Oct. 24.

“The decision to cancel school is a decision we don’t take lightly, but the safety of our students is our number one priority. We are grateful to our families for being flexible and partnering with us on solutions for our school community,” reads a statement Thursday from KIPP.

The school plans to hire an in-house security director, which has been a contracted position, according to a spokeswoman for KIPP.

Other plans for increasing security include adding metal detectors, and adding more guards and cameras. The school will also boost its mental health services for students.