All the attention in recent months on the city's school performance has increased focus on charter schools.

Charter schools are free, independent schools that aren't subject to many of the same rules and regulations as traditional public schools, and at least three of them are set to open this fall in the City.

While charters' offer parents another choice, there's debate over whether they really do succeed where city schools have failed.

KWMU's Adam Allington prepared this report. © Copyright 2009, St. Louis Public Radio