2007 Stellar Performer founded City Academy
By Alvin A. Reid Of the St. Louis American
A new school year begins this week for City Academy, and its co-founder and president, Don Danforth III, is just as ready for the first day of school as any of his eager students.
“We can’t wait to get started,” he said.
“I’m sure I’m as excited as any of the students.”
For his dedication to his school, students and education in St. Louis, Danforth has been named the 2007 Stellar Performer in Education by the St. Louis American Foundation.
He will be honored during the 20th Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship & Awards Banquet on Friday, Sept. 14 at America’s Center.
Martin Mathews, co-founder of Mathews-Dickey Boys & Girls Club (where Danforth is a longtime, dedicated volunteer), called Danforth “a special person, who spent so many hours with us improving our students academically” when Danforth was honored by the organization with its second Bill Maritz Award for his contributions to expanding academically enriching opportunities for St. Louis’ youth.
Mathews-Dickey VP, PR & Special Events Barbara Washington praised Danforth “because he would always do more than was called more.”
“He has a stick-to-it way that makes you admire him.”
Pete Werner, director of community investment for the United Way of Greater St. Louis, is the incoming City Academy board chair. He calls Danforth “an inspiration.”
“He is a dedicated person who has the good of the community at the forefront of his thoughts all the time,” Werner said.
Danforth’s journey has been a long and unusual one, from one of St. Louis’ most respected and endowed families to corporate America to community service and educational innovation on the city’s North Side.
A graduate of St. Louis Country Day School, Danforth attended St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, where he made the Dean’s List for outstanding academic achievement.
Once he returned to St. Louis, his corporate career blossomed at Ralston Purina Company, where he worked as a marketing and promotions executive, yet he found time to volunteer with the Mathews-Dickey Boys and Girls Club. (Ralston can trace its history back to 1894, when founder William H. Danforth began producing feed for various farm animals under the name Purina Mills.)
Don Danforth III, in a move that many considered surprising, left Ralston – the family, corporate business – to become Mathews-Dickey director of education in 1993 and then vice president of education in 1995.
Just to the south of Mathews-Dickey was a condemned factory building. But Danforth didn’t see the decay. He saw opportunity – the future home of City Academy.
Danforth and Duncan Marshall established City Academy in 1999 as an educational outlet for families that seek “a challenging curriculum, low student-teacher ratios, and high expectations of students and faculty.”
Marshall remains on the school’s Board of Trustees and now serves as Riverdale (New York) Country School director of institutional advancement.
The test scores and academic achievement record at City Academy surpass that of many schools in the city and St. Louis County.
“It has been a total team effort,” Danforth said of City Academy.
“All of us – students, teachers, administrators and certainly parents – have helped make us successful.”
According to Danforth, last fall, 77 percent of City Academy students scored above the national median on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, an increase from 45 percent in 2003.
While City Academy is a private school, Danforth “believes access to an excellent education should not be determined by income alone.” The average tuition is approximately $3,000, as most families receive some financial aid.
Unlike most private schools, where tuition accounts for 80 percent of an annual operating budget, City Academy gets just 20 percent of its annual budget this way.
Between $800,000 and $1 million annually is donated to the school through community support from individuals, corporations, foundations and endowment income.
Danforth’s service to the community does not stop at the walls of City Academy.
His board of director memberships include the American Youth Foundation, Mary Institute St. Louis Country Day School, Teach For America, Magic House of St. Louis, Board of Trustees and the Great St. Louis Kite Festival.
Danforth and his wife Susannah have four children, Callie (10), Danny (9), Ross (6) and Henley (2).
The 20th Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship & Awards Banquet is Friday, Sept. 14 at America’s Center. General seating tickets for Salute are $85 per ticket or $850 for a table of 10. VIP/Corporate tickets are $150 per ticket or $1,500 for a table of 10. For information and tickets, call 314-533-8000, ext. 305, or visit stlamerican.com.