Habits of Mind & Heart

Whitfield School - Saint Louis, Missouri

At the center of Whitfield's mission is our commitment to character education through the Habits of Mind & Heart curriculum. The Habits address six areas of human potential: ethics, scholarship, citizenship, leadership, mindfulness, and cultural competence.

Upper school students studying in the hallway

Ethical Conduct

We believe in a personal commitment to mindful action. Today's high-tech students are connected and empowered in ways previously undreamed of, and it matters deeply that they uphold their ethical obligations to self, family, and community.

Faculty member Sari Rotskoff '00 working with a student during English class

Scholarship

We challenge our students to seek a deeper understanding, to make connections and draw conclusions, to learn the discipline of a scholar.  Teachers serve as facilitators of the learning process, while students engage in the pursuit, application, and creation of knowledge.

Two students leading a faculty workshop on equity and inclusion

Citizenship

Through the practice of dialogue, equity, and justice, we help students become engaged members of our school community as well as the other communities to which they belong.

Finn Murphy, Class of 2019, during his commencement speech

Leadership

We create opportunities for all students to develop as leaders, allowing them to make a difference, take a stand, and become role models for others.

Middle school student reading a book

Mindfulness

We practice a willingness to see things as they are, not as we want them to be, as well as a willingness to be curious and accepting.

Faculty member David Records working with students during English class

Cultural Competence

Our student body represents all of St. Louis and much of the world. This rich diversity deepens the learning experience of every student and the preparation of each for college and beyond.

News & Events

Why Whitfield?

Excellent and individualized preparation for college and life.

Faculty member Tom Herman during a Middle School English class

Whitfield by the Numbers

Since its founding in 1952, our independent school in St. Louis continues to cultivate ethical, confident, successful students.

8:1

Student to teacher ratio

35

Athletics Teams
(Middle & Upper School)

433

Students Enrolled
(Grades 6-12)

$3.92M

in Merit Scholarships
(Class of 2021 for their first year of college)

60

Zip codes represented by current students

100%

Graduating seniors are accepted to college

75%

Faculty with advanced degrees

1

School dog, a golden retriever named Sunshine

Our Community

Whitfield is more than a school. We are a community of innovation, collaboration, and trust.

Whitfield seeks to maintain a student body diverse in geographic, economic, racial, and religious backgrounds. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnic origin, religion, or color in administering its academic policies, admission policies, athletic policies, financial aid program, or other school activities. 

Students

Emma Casado '23

Michael Koman '22

 "Throughout my time at Whitfield I have been a part of many leadership teams and programs and looking back, I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to be in those leadership roles. I have met and worked with so many amazing people over the years. Being on the Student Council has allowed me to branch out and get to know my classmates even better. What makes being a leader so fulfilling is getting other people involved and working together to achieve our goals." 

Jason Chien '26

"Whitfield gave me the opportunity to be a part of many great athletic communities. The athletic communities I'm involved in are cross country, eSports, and track and field. These communities have great coaches and great athletes who strive for further improvement. Along with athletic communities, clubs are another great way to get to know people in the Whitfield community. I currently participate in three clubs: ping pong club, the International Student Union, and the Asian Student Union. Whitfield's clubs have a ton of variety, and I guarantee that that there is a club for everybody!"

 

Parents

Akberet Boykin Farr

Akberet Boykin Farr, board member

Akberet Boykin Farr

Parent of Grace '20

"When I initially enrolled my daughter I felt like the school would accept her for who she was and would help her determine who she wanted to become.  Since then, my daughter has found her voice.  She is able to share her own values, opinions, beliefs, and perspectives with conviction, and appreciate the perspectives of others."

 

Alicia Tessler, Whitfield parent

Alicia Tessler

Parent of Jake '19 and Zach '24

"There are many factors that contributed to the decision to send our kids to Whitfield, including the student-to-teacher ratio, overall school size, and class size.  While Whitfield maintains a high expectation for academic achievement, there are lessons learned that go far beyond the textbooks.  Kind, caring, accepting.  These are life qualities that are a tremendous part of the educational experience at Whitfield."

 

Sheila Jones

Parent of Fallon '27 and Taryn '24

"A quality education and diverse community were crucial “must haves” for our family. While there are great choices in the region, we feel no other institution exemplifies the environment in which we want our children to succeed more than Whitfield. "

 

Faculty

Mary Schnitzler

Mary Schnitzler

Social Studies and Fine Arts Faculty

"I love our school community. Whitfield is truly a special place with the most caring and dedicated faculty, parents and students. Our students see the example of our faculty and staff who are lifelong learners and who share their enthusiasm for scholarship every day."

David Records

English Faculty / Upper School

"I love teaching at Whitfield and the importance placed on ""community"". From the all-school assemblies to the Socratic seminars to the graduation ceremony—attended by the entire student body—the sense of togetherness is palpable and contagious."

Michał Kwiecień

Social Studies Faculty / Upper School

"Our school community cultivates trust, professionalism, empathy, collaboration, compassion, and multiculturalism. I especially value working at a school that respects and embraces everyone, and a school that engages in open and civil conversations about human rights, social justice and inclusion, global citizenship, and the need to understand one's role in an increasingly pluralistic and multicultural world."

Alumni

Morgan Bosma '11

Morgan Bosman, Class of 2011

Morgan Bosman '11

Musician / Nashville

"The small, structured class size fostered an environment for my growth. Throughout high school, I felt the most comfortable and accepted in the arts programs and really enjoyed the opportunity of being involved in band, choir and theater. All of those experiences made an impact on my life."

Jay Gard, Class of 2008

Jay Gard '08

Producer / Los Angeles

"Whitfield's focus on constructive classroom communication helped foster my strong participation skills in college — something I saw other students struggle with. Having the confidence and skillset to engage with a professor in class helped bring topics to life and furthered my understanding. Whitfield taught me to bring an analytical eye to college material rather than simply memorizing lessons letter-for-letter."

Seth Williams, Class of 2005

Seth Williams '05

Veterinarian, Kirkwood Animal Hospital / St. Louis

"Whitfield instilled a strong work ethic in me, both in and out of the classroom.  Whitfield allowed me the opportunity to be successful academically while also taking part in athletics and extracurricular activities. Any high school will provide an education.  What makes Whitfield unique is how other values are also instilled in students—communication, relationships, respect, trust, and reward for hard work."

Head Of School

Dr. Chris Cunningham

Head of School Dr. Chris Cunningham

Chris Cunningham

"At Whitfield, we equip our students with the foundational understandings and critical skills they need to thrive in college. But just as important, we teach our students how to learn, fostering the 21st-century skills—creativity and collaboration, critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication—they will need in the century ahead. We prepare our students to confront unforeseen challenges, to explore fields of study that are only now in their infancy, to thrive and succeed in careers that don’t yet exist."