• Latest News

    June 17, 2025
    Planning for the Future:  Clayton Explores Concordia Site to Modernize Facilities

    The School District of Clayton is actively exploring opportunities to modernize its facilities to drive academic excellence, enhance student outcomes and better meet the evolving needs of learners and educators today and in the future. This work is guided by the District’s recently completed Long-Range Facilities Master Plan, which shows steady enrollment and highlights priority areas to support student achievement and elevate its facilities. Details about these priorities are outlined below, including the exploration of a potential land purchase for a future elementary school.

    Goal 1:  Modernizing Elementary Schools and The Family Center for Future-Ready Learning
    Among the District’s top priorities are its three elementary schools—R.M. Captain, Glenridge and Meramec—which face significant challenges due to aging infrastructure and limited site capacity. The Family Center, home to Clayton’s early childhood program, is also being carefully evaluated.

    To decide whether extensive renovations at the current sites or building new facilities elsewhere would best serve students and staff, the District has launched a comprehensive feasibility study focused on creating optimized, future-ready learning environments. Community input will be central to this process, alongside expert insights, to help chart the best path forward.

    Goals 2 and 3:  Advancing Academic Excellence and Athletic Opportunities at the Secondary Level
    At the secondary level, plans include the construction of a new academic wing at Clayton High School to expand access to career and technical education (CTE) programs. The District also intends to renovate the school’s auditorium to improve accessibility and usability.

    In addition, athletic facility upgrades are planned for Wydown Middle School, Adzick Field and Gay Field. These enhancements are designed to increase safety, meet ADA standards and create more functional spaces for athletic and extracurricular activities.

    Design Partners Selected to Lead the Vision
    To support this long-term vision, the District recently completed a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process to engage experienced engineering and design partners to assist with preliminary site planning. At the June 4 Board of Education meeting, Perkins & Will, in partnership with Paragon Architecture, was selected to lead the elementary feasibility study and design both the new academic wing and auditorium upgrades at Clayton High School. In addition, BLDD Architects was chosen to design the District’s athletic facilities.

    Exploring a New Opportunity: The Concordia Seminary Site
    In connection with the ongoing feasibility study, the District is in preliminary discussions with Concordia Seminary regarding the potential purchase of land on the western side of the seminary’s campus. While these conversations are in the early stages, the site is being explored as a possible location for a new elementary school—should the study determine that new construction is the best path forward. Although no decisions have been made, this opportunity could provide meaningful benefits for students, families, the seminary and the broader Clayton community.

    “We want to take Clayton from exceptional to truly transformational,” said Superintendent Dr. Nisha Patel. “To do that, we must modernize our schools and create innovative learning spaces that help all current and future students succeed. This property could provide the space we need for a modern, flexible elementary school with innovation labs and open learning areas that meet the needs of today’s students and future generations.”

    Should the District move forward with the purchase, it is important to note that the site is zoned for residential use, so a school would be a natural fit. Additionally, the property is already tax-exempt, so acquiring it would not affect city tax revenue. The site also offers potential cost savings due to minimal demolition and preparation requirements, and its location would not interfere with commercial growth opportunities in other parts of the city.

    “Clayton has a proud tradition of excellence,” Dr. Patel added. “This is our chance to build on that foundation by fulfilling the priorities outlined in our Long-Range Facilities Master Plan. We look forward to gathering input and information to fully understand how the Concordia site could support our efforts to modernize our elementary schools for future success.”

    Stay Engaged
    Preliminary results from the engineering and design firms are expected to be shared in late summer or early fall. While the District is still in the early stages of its planning process, any new construction or major development would require voter approval through a bond issue. 

    June 5, 2025
    District Advances Plans to Modernize Schools

    The School District of Clayton has a proud legacy of educational excellence, rooted in strong community support and a shared dedication to student success. Building on this foundation, the District is taking bold, strategic steps to transform its already exceptional schools into truly transformational learning environments.

    Guided by its Long-Range Facilities Master Plan, the District is entering the second phase of a multi-year process to modernize school facilities. These efforts are designed to foster student achievement, empower educators and meet the evolving needs of learners—today and for generations to come.

    Putting Students First: Three Priorities for Facility Modernization
    With student enrollment projected to remain stable, the District has identified three goal areas to guide this next phase of work:

    1. Elementary School Modernization
    The District’s three elementary schools—R.M. Captain, Glenridge and Meramec—face increasing challenges due to aging infrastructure and limited space. A comprehensive feasibility study will explore all options, including site renovations and the potential construction of new buildings. The Family Center, which serves the District’s youngest learners, is also under review to ensure it continues to meet the needs of children and families.

    2. High School Academic Enhancements
    At Clayton High School, plans include the addition of a new academic wing to expand course offerings and strengthen career and technical education (CTE) programs such as Robotics,  Geometry in Construction and other hands-on learning. Upgrades to the school auditorium are also planned to better support performances, assemblies and community events.

    3. Upgraded Athletic Facilities for Equity and Engagement
    The District is exploring key improvements to its athletic spaces to increase student participation, improve accessibility and enhance the overall experience:

    • Gay Field: Considering either renovations to improve accessibility and safety or relocating the field closer to Clayton High School to boost student engagement.
    • Adzick Field: Upgrades to the press box and dugouts are under evaluation.
    • Wydown Middle School: Turf installation is being considered to improve field usability and versatility.

    These updates aim to "level the playing field" by creating more inclusive, functional and welcoming spaces for athletics and extracurricular activities.

    Selecting the Right Partners
    To bring this vision to life, the Board of Education initiated a competitive Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process in April to identify leading engineering and design firms. Out of 16 applicants, three finalists were selected—and on June 4, the Board approved the firms that will lead the preliminary design phase of the District’s future-ready facilities work.

    • Perkins & Will, in partnership with Paragon Architecture, will lead the elementary school feasibility study and design academic improvements at Clayton High School. Paragon brings in-depth knowledge of District needs from its work on the Long-Range Facilities Master Plan, while Perkins & Will offers extensive experience designing innovative learning environments.
    • BLDD Architects has been selected to design athletic facility upgrades across the District. With a local office in Webster Groves and a nationally respected portfolio of K–12 and collegiate projects, BLDD will help the District reimagine athletic spaces as inclusive, student-centered environments that support learning and engagement beyond the classroom.

    Next Steps: Fiscal Responsibility and Community Engagement
    The District understands that high-quality schools are essential—not only for student success but also for maintaining strong home values and preserving the community’s reputation as a premier destination for families. At the same time, the District is fully committed to managing taxpayer dollars responsibly to ensure the long-term health and success of both its schools and the Clayton community.

    Looking ahead, the District is considering the possibility of a future bond issue to help modernize its school facilities. While no final decisions have been made, any potential investment would be carefully reviewed to ensure it is fiscally responsible and aligns with the District’s long-term goals. 

    The last bonds, approved in 2009 and 2010, funded major improvements at Clayton High School and Wydown Middle School. Like those past efforts, a future bond would support plans to update facilities, improve student outcomes and serve the community for many years to come.

    To help guide this process, the Board authorized a search for a Construction Manager At-Risk (CMAR) at its June 4 meeting. This delivery method is preferred because it offers a single point of accountability and helps protect the District’s financial interests through competitive bidding, cost control and risk management if construction proceeds. Additionally, the Board approved a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to select a public engagement firm to lead outreach and maintain transparent communication with the community. Decisions on both the CMAR and the engagement firm are expected by late summer or early fall.   

    April 23, 2025
    Progress Continues on Long-Range Facilities Master Plan

    The District continues to make meaningful progress on its Long-Range Facilities Master Plan (LRFMP).

    In February, the planning process reached an important milestone when Paragon Architecture presented its findings to the Board of Education. Building on that momentum, the Board has now approved a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to identify architectural and engineering design partners for three goal areas:

    1. Feasibility and Design Development for all three elementary school buildings and the Family Center. 
    2. Academic wing addition at CHS for Robotics, Geometry in Construction and similar programs; plus upgrades to the CHS Auditorium. 
    3. Athletic facility improvements (either at Gay Field or in Shaw Park adjacent to CHS), Adzick field press box/dugouts and artificial turf at WMS. 

    The RFQ for architectural and engineering services was issued on April 23. Firms are invited to submit their qualifications by May 13, with reviews scheduled for mid-May. 

    Design partners are expected to be announced at the Board of Education meeting on June 4. 

    This next phase of planning will play a key role in shaping the future of the District. Stay tuned for more updates as this important work moves forward.