About Us » Our History

Our History

MOST RECENTLY
In June 2022, The Fulton School at St. Albans (TFSSA) and Chesterfield Day School (CDS) merged to become The Fulton School. The TFSSA community of students, faculty and staff from St. Albans moved to the CDS campus at 1100 White Road in Chesterfield in June 2022 and the 2022-23 school year was their first as one unified school.  Together we are continuing our mutual mission of providing a quality Montessori education for students in a challenging and supportive environment.
 
TFSSA was originally a second campus for CDS. The demand for private independent school education was significant when the second campus opened in 1994. In 2006, the TFSSA campus separated from CDS, allowing both schools to operate independently. Because The Fulton School at St. Albans was born out of Chesterfield Day School, their missions are innately aligned -- though the words and phrases may be slightly different. Leveraging a shared history, a fully aligned mission, and a strategic location creates opportunity for a synergistic reunion and brings a unique 7th-12th grade option within convenient geographic proximity to a much larger student community. This reunion advances the passion and commitment each school has to innovative Montessori education for children 18 months old through 12th grade and benefits the students, families, faculty, staff and the surrounding St. Louis area community.
 
Upon merging, Douglass was named Head of School for the merged schools.
 
  • 1962 - Founded as St. Louis Montessori Academy, first Montessori School in the St. Louis area, by Mrs. Elna Amant; located at Craig Road & Olive Boulevard in Creve Coeur

  • 1971 - School becomes not for profit and adds program for 6 to 9-year-olds

  • 1974 - Moves to 1100 White Road in Chesterfield 

  • 1977 - Graduates first sixth grade class 

  • 1980 - Becomes affiliated with the American Montessori Society (AMS) 

  • 1982 - First Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS) accreditation evaluation

  • 1983 - Capital campaign for first addition to building (preschool, K-1, offices)

  • 1984 - Name changes from St. Louis Montessori Academy to Chesterfield Day School

  • 1987 - Second major addition completed (2-3, 4-5-6, toddler room)

  • 1989 - Second ISACS evaluation

  • 1991 - Purchase of adjacent land and house

  • 1994 - Chesterfield Day School-St. Albans opens in Cape Cod house in the St. Albans development

  • 1995 - Latest addition completed at White Road

  • 1996 - Third ISACS evaluation

  • 1998 - St. Albans initiates pilot program with four 7th graders – the beginning of middle school

  • 1999 - Ground broken for new St. Albans building 

  • 1999 - Chesterfield Day School-St. Albans moves into new building 

  • 2002 - Fourth ISACS evaluation 

  • 2004 - First Upper School graduation at Chesterfield Day School-St. Albans

  • 2007 - Grades 9-12 spin off to become St. Albans High School

  • 2008 - Toddler through Grade 8 spin off to merge with St. Albans High School, creating The Fulton School at St. Albans

  • 2022 - Chesterfield Day School and The Fulton School at St. Albans reunite to become The Fulton School, naming themselves in honor of their shared long-term Head, Dr. Barb Fulton