Virtual Tour

Main Office 

Meet Jane Wolfangel, who is more than a school secretary. Official greeter, Band Aid provider, and supplier of hugs and smiles, greets everyone who enters the door. You will be greeted by the Interim Head of School Alicia Noddings or the Director of Admissions Margie Caldwell.

Little House            

The “Little House” is the center for our toddler classes. Sunny, child-centered classrooms and a separate playground welcome students as young as 18 months for morning classes. In addition to Montessori-certified and trained teachers, students learn from specialist teachers for Spanish and physical education. Parents may choose two-morning (Monday and Tuesday), three-morning (Wednesday-Friday) or five-morning classes.

Preschool Classrooms 

The best practices of Montessori combine children within a three-year age span. At CDS, children age 2 1/2 to 5 are combined, and in addition to Montessori best practices, students learn in specialist classes for Spanish, physical education, art, and library. Parents may select 5-day morning, 5-day full day, or "AM Plus" classes (mornings only on Monday and Friday and full day Tuesday-Thursday). Our 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 year old students prepare for the more rigorous academic expectations of our Kindergarten-Grade 1 classroom with a full day only option beginning in 2011-2012.

K-1

Different from other Montessori programs, Chesterfield Day School combines Kindergarten and First Grade age students for a two-year experience. Younger children learn and model behavior at a more academically accelerated pace while retaining their joy in learning. Older children learn as role models, and prepare for the more academic setting beginning in Grade Two. In addition to Montessori practices, students learn specialist teachers for Spanish, art, music, physical education, and library science.

Grades 2 and 3

Our second and third grade classrooms have a connecting door, and often learn in multi-age situations. A Montessori-trained educator works with “traditional” classroom teachers so that the basic principles of Montessori can grow with each child alongside subject areas taught in non-Montessori classrooms.

Grades 4, 5 and 6

Going up the stairs takes students to the “higher” grades. Science labs, note-taking and time management add to public speaking and community service to create the kind of student for which Chesterfield Day School is known.

School Store

Managed by the Grade 6 students, the School Store is a combination of math lessons, economics, marketing and community service. Net proceeds are donated to the school by the students.

Dining Room 

Hot lunch programs are available. The caterer is a community partner, selected for a commitment to healthy living. Throughout the summer, the caterer meets with the administrative team to plan menus and events for the school year.

Field

Outdoor sports include soccer and lacrosse. Chesterfield Day School participates with other area independent schools for informal seasons for soccer, basketaball, floor hockey and track and field.

Playgrounds

Students enjoy recess on age-appropriate playgrounds throughout the spacious campus.

Gymnasium

Refurbished in 2008, the gymnasium is the beehive of physical education activity, sports such as basketball and volleyball, and exercise or recreation. The room is transformed as the stage area for weekly “gatherings,” plays, recitals, and presentations.

Library

Each book has been donated by parents or bought with proceeds from specific fundraisers. Staffed by experienced librarian Elaine Larson the room is a respite from the everyday and includes nooks and reading spots, research areas, and a section of parent resources.

Art Room

Children learn more than just the difference between primary and secondary colors from art instructor and artist Angela Lippi. The curriculum combines art history, diversity awareness, and studio art, often in conjunction with classroom studies. Each year, the Amant Award is presented to a Sixth Grade student whose art project exemplifies the excellence inspired by Elna Amant, the founder of St. Louis Montessori Academy, now Chesterfield Day School. The Amant Gallery is on permanent display at the School.

Music

Consider the beautiful cacophony of beginning sixth grade musicians as they joyfully and purposefully proceed through introductions to instruments such as a trumpet or a clarinet. These same artists perform at a concert midyear, demonstrating again the magic of Chesterfield Day School. All CDS students sing, play Orff instruments, and combine music with their classroom studies.

Science Lab

For Grades 4, 5, and 6, inquiry-based learning and scientific discovery is the focus, with texts as a supplement. Demanding subjects such as chemistry, physics and anatomy are learned with hands-on experiences, and the scienfitic method is mastered by every student, supported by note-taking, experiment design, and log books.

Technology

Students from kindergarten through Grade Six incorporate technology into their daily learning. SMARTBoards, computers, and video equipment are part of the school's commitment to keeping Chesterfield Day School students at the forefront of leaning through the best practices of technology in the classroom. Specialist classes in technology utilize a laptop cart and are taught by a technology instructor beginning in fourth grade.

Before School/After School

For many parents, school hours need to be extended to match their own personal lifestyle needs. Before school and after school hours are available and are staffed by professional, caring adults.

Extra-Curriculars

Classes and clubs are available for additional fees during the fall, winter, and spring terms. The offerings vary for students' ages and interests and include art, science, music, drama, mathematics, sports, and chess. Chesterfield Day School students regularly take top state honors in chess and mathematics competitions as a result of participation in extra-curricular classes and clubs.