– Who We Are – Chesterfield Day School

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Chesterfield Day School private school St. Louis Montessori School St. Louis Preschool

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CDS was born in 1962 as the first Montessori preschool in St. Louis. The innovative sprit required to create a new community based on a relatively unknown educational philosophy — in the midst of a world in great flux — required originality, creativity, and tenacity.

The same characteristics that define our beginnings continue to inspire us as we educate students from Toddler through Sixth Grade, preparing them for a world that demands of its most productive and successful minds an ever-evolving, rich set of skills and experiences. CDS’s robust start-to-finish education produces exceptional students of remarkable character who attend the secondary schools of their choice and lead meaningful adult lives in communities all over the world.

1962 – Founded as the first Montessori preschool in the St. Louis area—St. Louis Montessori Academy by Mrs. Elna Amant

1971 – Becomes a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and begins serving students ages 6-9

1974 – Relocates to 1100 White Road in Chesterfield, allowing the school to add classes through Sixth Grade

1977 – The first Sixth Grade class graduates

1980 – Becomes affiliated with the American Montessori Society (AMS)

1982 – Accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS)

1983 – Addition to the building to increase preschool, K/1 classrooms and administrative offices

1984 – School changes its name to Chesterfield Day School

1987 – Addition to the building to increase 2nd/3rd grade and 4th/5th/6th grade classrooms

1989 – Second ISACS evaluation/accreditation

1991 – Purchased the “Little House” next to the White Road campus for expanded programs

1995 – Most recent addition to the White Road facility is completed, including additional space for the 4th/5th/and 6th grade program

1996 – Third ISACS evaluation/accreditation

2002 – Fourth ISACS evaluation/accreditation

2005 – Long-time Head of School Dr. Barb Fulton passes away after 30 years of service to CDS

2010 – Fifth ISACS evaluation/accreditation

2012 – CDS’s 50th Anniversary celebration

2017 – CDS graduates its 40th class of Sixth Graders!

2017 – Peggy Fiala named Head of School

Our start-to-finish program yields graduates who are highly sought after by area secondary schools. According to the administrators at these schools, what makes a CDS student unique and coveted are the following characteristics:

strong fundamental and 21st century skills
self-advocacy
high level of executive function
well roundedness
the ability to pick up on and absorb ideas/concepts that are introduced

After graduation, our students flourish in a number of different secondary schools, including:

Chaminade College Preparatory School

John Burroughs School

MICDS

St. Louis Priory School

Westminster Christian Academy

Whitfield School

Villa Duchesne

Visitation Academy

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