Independent elementary school in CWE has place for everybody
Special to The American
New City School, an independent elementary school in the Central West End, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
Founded by neighbors and community leaders at a time when the Central West End was a struggling neighborhood, the school was created to be a diverse community, reflective of the neighborhood and the city.
This year, New City School enrolls 375 students, ages 3 years through sixth grade, from 50 ZIP codes in Missouri and Illinois.
Nearly one-third of the students at New City School are children of color, making it one of the most diverse independent elementary schools in the St. Louis region.
“There’s no place in St. Louis that explores and values diversity like New City School,” said Sheila Little-Forrest, president of Afro World.
“My children received a wonderful education at New City School that prepared them for personal and academic success in secondary school and college, and our family shared many wonderful years at New City!”
The New City School curriculum is built on four key areas:
• Academic Excellence – providing an exceptional academic foundation for secondary school and college
• Personal Intelligence – developing skills that help children understand themselves and develop skills for working with others
• Diversity Beyond The Numbers – exploring and actively seeking out different experiences and points of view, and
• Joyful Learning – structuring experiences that actively engage children in learning and that nurture their natural curiosity.
Socio-economic diversity is also one of the founding principles of New City School. This year the School will provide more than $740,000 in need-based financial aid. More than one-third of children receive scholarships.
You can learn more about New City School at its web-site, newcityschool.org, or by attending the Admissions Evening for Families of Color on Thursday, October 22, from 6– 8 p.m. or at the Open House on Saturday, November 21, from 9:30 a.m.–noon. Childcare for these events is provided free-of-charge to children ages two years and over. Children under two are invited to accompany their parents.