Head of School Message

Dear Friends,

I am so pleased that you have decided to get to know Community School. It is truly a special place, dedicated to our mission of nurturing the gifts of mind, body and spirit. This foundation inspires students to develop a lifelong passion for learning. Our students lead with wonder and eagerly explore new ideas–all within an inclusive community where they feel safe, valued, and truly seen.

Community School was founded in 1914 by a group of young, entrepreneurial mothers who dreamed of creating a more progressive school than what existed in St. Louis at the time. More than 110 years later, our school proudly upholds a rich tradition of innovative education, still rooted in the Guiding Principles established by our founders. Today, our school has grown to encompass an 18-acre campus with woods, trails, fields, a pond, and a tree house classroom, making it the perfect place for children to explore, imagine, and learn through deep connections with the natural world.

As a parent, you recognize your child’s strengths and passions and are eager to watch their potential unfold. At Community, we share that commitment by partnering with families to nurture each child’s growth through intentional, child-centered, and individualized learning. Our approach supports not only academic achievement but also creative exploration and social-emotional growth. Within this supportive and diverse environment, students build meaningful connections with their peers while developing a deeper understanding of themselves and others.

In their early years, it’s essential for students to grow and learn across all areas. That’s why we provide a broad and comprehensive education that nurtures the whole child, including science, math, reading, writing, social studies, French, the arts (drama, woodshop, art, and music), physical education, and technology. By integrating character development and critical thinking, Community prepares its alumni to thrive as leaders and strong community members in secondary school, college, and beyond. Our new Broughton STEAM Center is a culmination of this vision–a dynamic space designed to inspire innovation and problem-solving. The STEAM Center reflects our commitment to educating the whole child and preparing students to thrive in an ever-evolving world.

None of this could be accomplished without our dedicated faculty and staff, whose passion, warmth, and expertise are second to none. With the support of at least two full-time teachers in every homeroom classroom, along with a range of specialists, the school is able to tailor instruction to support each child's learning. Our educators are truly the best at what they do, inspiring and guiding every student to reach their fullest potential.

I hope each of you will come visit our school in person. In the meantime, please take some time to virtually learn about our school here. You can enjoy a video tour of our campus and 360° classroom photos. 

I look forward to meeting you and helping your family discover all that our community has to offer.

With gratitude, 

Laurie Smilack
Head of School