History

Chesterfield Day School grew from being the first Montessori School in the St. Louis area to being one of the best in the region. The School opened in 1962 as St. Louis Montessori Academy, serving preschool-aged children, and began serving children ages 6-9 in 1971.

The current location, 1100 White Road in Chesterfield, MO, became available in 1974, allowing the School to add classes through grade six, with the first sixth grade graduation in 1977.

A unique approach to Montessori-based learning moves students through a planned continuum from “pure” Montessori--to “blended,”--to more traditional curricula with experienced educators. Specialist classes in music, art, physical education, technology, and Spanish, plus library science, add to a full, academically rigorous yet personally designed educational experience.

Chesterfield Day School is the home of Missouri Montessori Teacher Education Program, the only accreditation agency in the State. Student-teachers from the region, and from around the world, travel to Chesterfield Day School and MOMTEP. Accomplished student teachers are retained, supplying the School with the finest Montessori educators available from the broadest applicant pool.

In 1984, the School changed its name to Chesterfield Day School to better capture the essence of the program and its stature within the region. Accredited since 1982 by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS), the school enjoys a reputation with area independent secondary schools and leaders as a thriving, nurturing environment that produces students known as courageous risk takers, eloquent communicators, and dedicated contributors to their broader community.