Whitfield at a Glance
Whitfield School is an independent, coeducational college preparatory day school for grades 6–12, located on a 26–acre campus in suburban St. Louis. Whitfield offers a foundational, liberal art curriculum that marries college preparatory courses with an emphasis on citizenship, critical thinking, and leadership. Our purpose is to prepare students for success in college and in life, empowering them to discover who they are, what they care about, and how they want to make a difference in the world.
HISTORY
Whitfield School was founded in 1952 by John Barnes and Allen Cole. In the 1980s Whitfield blossomed: by the end of the decade, the school had grown to serve more than 200 students, completed several major facilities updates, and become a nationally-recognized leader in the progressive education movement.
In 2003, the school completed its first major capital campaign, raising $16 million to support Whitfield’s facilities, operations, and endowment. In 2009, the acquisition of a 1.5-acre property adjacent to the school, the Head’s Residence, marked the first physical addition to the campus since the 1960s. In 2018 the school completed its most recent campaign, raising over $10 million in support of faculty & staff salaries and benefits, financial aid, and debt retirement.
Today, Whitfield delivers a robust liberal-arts curriculum embedded in a foundational character education program. In a small school community built on kindness and trust, Whitfield inspires a diverse student body to live lives of curiosity, integrity, and purpose. The school endeavors to empower young people to be thoughtful, principled citizens of the world.
In 2003, the school completed its first major capital campaign, raising $16 million to support Whitfield’s facilities, operations, and endowment. In 2009, the acquisition of a 1.5-acre property adjacent to the school, the Head’s Residence, marked the first physical addition to the campus since the 1960s. In 2018 the school completed its most recent campaign, raising over $10 million in support of faculty & staff salaries and benefits, financial aid, and debt retirement.
Today, Whitfield delivers a robust liberal-arts curriculum embedded in a foundational character education program. In a small school community built on kindness and trust, Whitfield inspires a diverse student body to live lives of curiosity, integrity, and purpose. The school endeavors to empower young people to be thoughtful, principled citizens of the world.
FACTS & FIGURES
Overview
Founded in 1952
26 acre campus
425 average student enrollment
Diversity
38% students of color
2% international students
Students from 141 feeder schools
College Choices
100% of students accepted to college
85% attend college outside of MO
56% attend college outside the Midwest
Tuition & Affordability
$32,550 tuition
$18,700 average financial aid award
$5,000 average merit scholarship award
Classroom
Student to teacher ratio of 8:1
Average class size of 14
Student to laptop ratio of 1:1
Giving
100% of faculty, staff give
$1.2M annual fund goal
$13.5M Endowment (as of 6/30/23)
