Our Mission

New City School inspires children to engage joyfully in learning and achieve academic excellence while cultivating their personal strengths and passions. We empower our students to build community and advocate for a more just and equitable world.

Since 1969, New City School has been committed to providing opportunities for a diverse group of children (and adults!) to learn together, to be creative, and to develop a sense of independence and confidence. It is a place that considers the needs of children first, a place that is built on a commitment to diversity, and a place that brings children, parents and teachers together in a community of joyful learning.

Our Four Pillars

Throughout their time at New City School, students practice and develop self-awareness and mindfulness as they uncover and build their identity; they learn to question, connect to, and understand the world around them as they chase their passions and gain the knowledge and skills to help them reimagine the road ahead. Curricula across grade levels at New City School connects across the throughlines of identity, interconnectedness, and agency & advocacy, which are grounded in our Four Pillars:

Academic Excellence

We work to ensure that our students from preschool to sixth grade are authentically engaged in their learning. Our students are strong academically; they are purposeful in their work. They are leaders and innovators who set goals for their learning, reflect, and approach challenges with dedication and a growth mindset.

Diversity Beyond the Numbers

Diversity is one of the founding principles of New City School, and it is deeply integrated throughout the other three pillars. We define diversity broadly, and intentionally build and nurture a diverse community, knowing that it is crucial for children to understand, commit to, and seek out diversity in school and in life beyond our red doors.

Personal Intelligences

The personal intelligences—interpersonal and intrapersonal—are the foundation for everything we do. Our promise is to nurture students to be introspective and empathetic. Our students take the time to know one another and be truly known in return, and together they work to solve problems and lead for change. New City students are intentional in their actions, upstanders in their communities, and kind at heart.

Joyful Learning

New City School students love going to school! Our students discover their interests; they learn to ask questions, stay curious, and develop a genuine love of learning. Our teachers dedicate time and space for students to share their ideas and take the lead in their own learning process throughout the day. Students develop the habits of mind to learn about themselves and others, chase their passions, and wonder about and re-imagine the world around them.

Our History

New City School was founded in 1969 to help stabilize the then-struggling neighborhoods of the city’s Central West End. A group of neighbors, many of whom had small children, began meeting to discuss the possibility of opening a school to serve the neighborhood children—and beyond.

By the Decade

1960s

In the world: the Vietnam War, the Beatles, Civil Rights Movement, the vision of New City School comes to life.

The genesis of New City School was sparked when two venerable schools in the Central West End, Barat Hall and City House, closed in 1966, deflating real estate values and leaving the neighborhood without first-rate schools.
Led by Tad Foote, a group of neighbors began to meet to talk about creating a new school. From the beginning, the vision was to create an inclusive, progressive school focused on individual kids' needs.
In 1969, New City opened under the leadership of head of school Jerry Glynn, with six teachers and nearly 100 children—from three-year-olds to 4th Graders—and began class in the First Unitarian Church located at Waterman and Kingshighway.

1970s

In the world: "Saturday Night Fever" hits the box office, Nixon resigns, and Sony invents the Walkman.

New City School moves to the vacated Lutheran High School building on Waterman Blvd., originally built in 1901 for the Mary Institute. The building, affectionately known as “The Friendly Castle”, is still our home today.
Charlie Rathbone becomes Head of School, serving until 1972, with Len Marks following in 1974. Board members played leadership roles during the transition between Heads of School.
In 1975, 150 students were enrolled, and 30% were of color.
New City School receives full accreditation from the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS).
Several classrooms were renovated on the second floor and enrollment reaches 200 students during the late 1970s.

1980s

In the world: the Commodore 64 computer, Michael Jackson, and the Rubik’s Cube are all the rage.

In 1980, 235 students were enrolled.
University City Elementary School Principal Tom Hoerr is named the fourth Head of School in 1981.
In 1983, New City School is named an A+ School by Instructor Magazine.
A performance-based merit pay plan for teachers is adopted in 1984.
By 1985, 283 students were enrolled, and 26% were of color.
In 1989, $93,901 was distributed in need-based scholarships to 18.9% of the students.
In 1987-1988, New City launches a $1 million capital campaign to renovate the building, enabling all three floors to be used for classrooms.
In 1988, the faculty begins implementing Howard Gardner's theory of Multiple Intelligences (MI) into the curriculum.

1990s

In the world: the first web browser is released, Nelson Mandela is freed, and "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" is published.

New City School launches a $1.2 million capital campaign in 1992 to acquire land for a new playground, soccer field, parking lot, and playing field.
The Financial Aid Endowment Fund is established in 1993; with more than 25% of students receiving need-based financial aid.
Four Multiple Intelligence conferences are held at New City, and the faculty write two books, Celebrating Multiple Intelligences: Teaching for Success and Succeeding with Multiple Intelligences: Teaching through the Personal Intelligences.
In 1995, 357 students were enrolled, and 27% were of color.
In 1996, a $1 million grant from an anonymous donor pays for central air-conditioning, new windows, and tuck-pointing of the building.
In 1998 our theater is renovated and named Founders' Hall.
In 1999, $351,597 was distributed in need-based scholarships to 26.7% of the students.

2000s

In the world: Apple introduces the iPod, Facebook is launched, and 9-11 occurs.

The New City Centennial Garden was opened on our playground in 2001, in honor of our building's 100th anniversary.
In 2005, Howard Gardner, creator of MI theory, visits to inaugurate the first-ever Multiple Intelligences Library.
In 2005, 349 students were enrolled, and 30% were of color.
In 2009, financial aid approaches $750,000 for approximately 35% of students.
In 2009, the Green Roof is created on top of our dining hall.
Emphasis on diversity, experiential learning, and MI education continues to deepen.

2010s

In 2010, Jossey-Bass publishes, Celebrating Every Learner: Activities and Strategies for Creating a Multiple Intelligences Classroom, a book written by New City School faculty highlighting MI practices.
In 2011, the Betsy Blankenship Plaza on Waterman is created.
In 2014, New City celebrates 45 years at our Founders' Dinner in the Fox Theatre.
In 2015, Head of School Tom Hoerr retires after 34 years at New City School and is named Head Emeritus. Pat Nuernberger becomes interim Head of School for the 2015-2016 school year during the search for a permanent replacement.
In July of 2015, Alexis Wright becomes Head of School—the school’s fifth leader.
In 2019, New City School received its largest ever gift of $2 million to bolster our endowment to support financial aid and to establish an endowment to support faculty and staff compensation, benefits, and professional development.
In April 2019, New City School hosted a diversity conference in partnership with Pollyanna, Inc. Participants from a number of schools gathered for breakout sessions, discussions, and the opportunity to connect with one another. The keynote speaker for this conference was author and professor Dr. Joshua Bennett.
Focus expands to include equity, inclusion, and innovative learning environments.

2020s

New City School celebrated its 50th anniversary during the 2020-2021 school year with celebrations including a Homecoming Weekend, Alumni/Past Faculty Panel, alumni reunion, and a special assembly to wish New City a happy birthday. Plans for a gala to wrap up this milestone year were postponed and eventually canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
New City weathered the COVID-19 pandemic with grit, persistence, and a little bit of ingenuity—challenges such as remote learning, hybrid classrooms, and ever-changing health guidance were met with resilience by faculty, staff, and students. Virtual school picnics, spirit weeks, assemblies, and other events kept our community feeling strong and connected!
Variable Tuition is implemented to support socio-economic diversity; endowment exceeds $11 million.
A $6 million campaign strengthens the financial aid endowment and paves the way for the construction of the the Tom Hoerr Innovation Lab (dedicated October 2020), a space focused on STEAM and hands-on learning for all ages.
In June of 2022, the inaugural Linda Churchwell-Varga Summer Institute for Teachers of Color is held at New City School with eight fellows, three of whom joined the New City faculty the following school year.
After a historic flash flood in July 2022 significantly damages the Early Childhood classrooms on the Garden Level, New City School comes together as a community to rebuild and renew, transforming hardship into an opportunity to create brighter, more inspiring spaces for learning. These newly reimagined classrooms open in Fall 2023.
New City School begins laying the groundwork for a facilities master plan, envisioning a reimagined outdoor space designed to enrich student learning and play.
After a delay of three months due to the May 2025 tornado that struck the St. Louis area, including New City School, the school celebrates their 55th Anniversary in August 2025 with continued focus on joyful learning, diversity, and whole-child education.