New City School

What New City School does

New City School is an independent, nonprofit private school founded in 1969 in the Central West End neighborhood of Saint Louis, Missouri, serving approximately 245 students from preschool (age 3) through 6th grade at a single historic campus at 5209 Waterman Boulevard. The school operates with 101-250 total staff including approximately 35 classroom teachers and 14 specialists, maintaining a 7:1 student-teacher ratio. Its educational model is built around Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences (MI) theory, implemented since 1988, which develops eight intelligences — bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, naturalist, and spatial — with particular emphasis on the "personal intelligences" of intrapersonal reflection and interpersonal empathy. The school is organized into three divisions (Early Childhood for ages 3-5, Early Elementary K-2, Upper Elementary 3-6) plus the 2,500 sq ft Tom Hoerr Innovation Lab (opened 2020) for STEAM learning; 70% of faculty hold advanced degrees and the school holds continuous ISACS accreditation dating to the 1970s.

The school's revenue model is tuition-led: published 2026-2027 rates range from $20,630 (part-day preschool) to $26,860 (full-day K-6), inclusive of supplies, field trips, and books. Auxiliary streams include Extended Day care ($340/month), Break Camps / NSAS ($83/day), a Sports Program ($110/season), Talents Classes, and Summer Camp (separate website). Tuition covers approximately 90-95% of operating costs; the ~$3,000-per-student gap is bridged by an $11 million endowment and the New City Fund (annual giving), plus targeted events such as Trivia Night (which raised approximately $17,000 in 2026). The Variable Tuition need-based aid program, administered through the Clarity platform and supported by the endowment, assists more than 42% of enrolled families with $1.7 million awarded annually.

Distribution is direct: the school runs its own admissions pipeline through inquiries, campus tours, Coffee & Tour events, and Open Houses, with marketing concentrated in organic social (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn), the school website, parent referrals, and earned media (e.g., St. Louis Magazine features). Strategic relationships include the ISACS and ISSL associations (where Head of School Alexis Wright serves as board chair), Pollyanna Inc. for diversity work, and the Linda Churchwell-Varga Summer Institute for Teachers of Color (launched 2022) for faculty pipeline development. The school has invested in capital resilience after a July 2022 flash flood and a May 2025 tornado, and marked its 55th anniversary in August 2025.

Name

New City School

Legal name

New City School

Website

https://newcityschool.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

New City School is an independent, nonprofit preschool-through-6th-grade school in Saint Louis, Missouri, founded in 1969. It delivers a Multiple Intelligences-based curriculum with a 7:1 student-teacher ratio and supports 42%+ of students through a need-based Variable Tuition program backed by an $11 million endowment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Preschool Programs within Private K–12 Schools (EDACABAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

General Preschools (Play-Based) (EDACABAA)

Keywords

• Independent private school
• Preschool education
• Elementary education
• Multiple intelligences curriculum
• STEAM learning

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Louis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition: Primary revenue source from tuition payments. Programs include part-day preschool ($20,630), full-day preschool ($24,630), and full-day K-6 ($26,860). Payment plans available including one payment, three payments, or ten monthly payments.
2. Extended Day Programs: Before and after school care including Early Care (7:00-8:30 AM, no charge) and Extended Day Everyday Package ($340/month). Drop-in rates available at $8 per 30 minutes.
3. Auxiliary Programs: Break Camps, No School At School (NSAS) at $83/day, Summer Camp programs, and Talents Classes with varying fees provide additional revenue streams.
4. Sports Programs: Soccer, basketball, baseball/softball, and t-ball with fees of $110 including uniform and equipment rental.
5. New City Fund (Annual Giving): Unrestricted annual fund contributions that support operating budget with immediate impact on current students and faculty. Tax-deductible donations bridge gap between tuition and actual cost of education (~$3,000/student).
6. Endowment: $11 million endowment established in 1993 supports Variable Tuition efforts. Generates approximately 20% of Variable Tuition support awarded annually to more than 42% of students.
7. Trivia Night Fundraiser: Annual community event raising funds for library and literacy programs. Recent event raised nearly $17,000.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

New City School provides independent, progressive preschool through 6th-grade education grounded in Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences theory. It operates three divisions (Early Childhood, Early Elementary, Upper Elementary) plus auxiliary services including the Tom Hoerr Innovation Lab (STEAM), Extended Day/Break Camps, Talents Classes, and Sports Programs, with a Variable Tuition program supporting socio-economic diversity.

Product overview

New City School is an independent private school offering a progressive, whole-child education from preschool (age 3) through 6th grade. The school operates as a single unified educational institution organized into three divisions (Early Childhood, Early Elementary, and Upper Elementary) that share a common curriculum grounded in Multiple Intelligences theory and the school's four pillars: Academic Excellence, Diversity Beyond the Numbers, Personal Intelligences, and Joyful Learning. Core programs include the Early Childhood, Early Elementary, and Upper Elementary academic programs, complemented by the Tom Hoerr Innovation Lab for STEAM education, Social Action & Service Learning, and the Variable Tuition financial assistance program supporting socio-economic diversity. Auxiliary offerings include Extended Day & Break Camps, Summer Camp, Talents Classes & Clubs, and a Sports Program. The school was founded in 1969 and is located in St. Louis, Missouri.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Early Childhood Program (Young 3s - 4/5s) Developmentally appropriate early childhood education for children ages 3-5, featuring naturalist-inspired classrooms, play-based learning, outdoor exploration, and multi-sensory early literacy instruction with approximately 90 minutes of daily outdoor time. Part-day and full-day options available.
• Early Elementary Program (Kindergarten - 2nd Grade) Workshop-based learning approach using partnerships, independent reasoning, and group discussions. Math is taught through CPA progression (concrete, pictorial, abstract), with dedicated specialists for visual art, science, Spanish, performing arts, music, library, physical education, and technology.
• Upper Elementary Program (3rd - 6th Grade) Broadened learning approach focusing on 'the personals' with emphasis on values, strengths, and diversity. Students in 5th and 6th Grade progress to an advisory model with two consecutive years of specialist teachers in math, science, social studies, and literacy.
• Tom Hoerr Innovation Lab A 2,500 square foot STEAM-focused classroom featuring tools including 3D laser cutters, 3D printers, sewing machines, movable tables, and a full kitchen. The space is dedicated to hands-on learning, design challenges, and Multiple Intelligences curricula for all ages.
• Variable Tuition Program A need-based tuition assistance program that allows families to apply for reduced tuition based on their financial situation, supporting socio-economic diversity. Currently awards $1.7M through the program with an $11M endowment.
• Extended Day & Break Camps Before and after-school child care including Early Care (7:00-8:30 AM at no charge), Extended Day program (3:30-6:00 PM at $340/month), and Break Camps (NSAS) at $83/day. Also includes No School At School days and Summer Camp.
• Talents Classes & Clubs Extracurricular activities allowing students to explore new skills with like-minded peers from different grade levels. Offerings include chess, robotics, martial arts, drama, music lessons, math club, fencing, cooking, and more.
• Sports Program Team sports including soccer (K-6th Grade), basketball (K-6th Grade), baseball/softball (1st-6th Grade), and t-ball (K) coached by parent/caregiver volunteers through the Clayton Youth Sports League. Fees are $110 including uniform.
• Social Action & Service Learning Service learning and social action program fostering intrapersonal and interpersonal intelligences through experiences such as food and clothing drives, rummage sales, and visits to assisted living facilities.
• Multiple Intelligences Curriculum Educational approach based on Howard Gardner's theory of Multiple Intelligences, developing eight intelligences: bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, naturalist, and spatial. Used at the school since 1988.

Quantifiable outcome

• 42%+ of students receive Variable Tuition support totaling $1.7M awarded annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Pollyanna, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2019Diversity conference held at New City School in April 2019 in partnership with Pollyanna, Inc., a nonprofit focused on strengthening diversity work in independent schools. Keynote speaker was Dr. Joshua Bennett. Participants from multiple schools gathered for breakout sessions and discussions.
• Central West End FarmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity 'gift garden' located near the school that donates all organically-grown produce to Good Ground Food Pantry. Fourth graders visit weekly for Making a Difference curriculum to harvest, weed, plant, and engage in garden maintenance as naturalist experience and service learning.
• Good Ground Food PantryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal food pantry receiving produce donations from Central West End Farm. Fourth graders visit as part of service learning and use rummage sale proceeds to purchase supplies for the pantry.
• Clayton Youth Sports LeagueminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorYouth sports league through which New City School's soccer, basketball, baseball/softball, and t-ball games are played. Students in K-6th grade participate in seasonal intramural sports.
• DuoDogsminorOthersTherapy dog organization whose dogs greeted students at the front door upon return to school after May 2025 tornado, helping welcome children back into the building.
• Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional association providing professional development and accreditation services for member schools. Alexis Wright serves as Board Chair. Eight New City team members attended 2025 Annual Conference with five presenting.
• St. Louis Association of Independent Schools (ISSL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal association of independent schools. Alexis Wright serves as trustee and Board Chair.
• Bank Street College of EducationminorOthersInternationally recognized institution devoted to early childhood education and teacher preparation. Head of School Alexis Wright previously served as Head of School and Dean of Children's Programs for seven years.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• The Whitfield School: Independent private 6-12 school in St. Louis County. A direct secondary-school destination for New City graduates (7 from Class of 2026) and a key competitor for the same tuition-paying families in the St. Louis market.
• Visitation Academy: Independent Catholic private school in St. Louis serving similar tuition-paying families. Receives New City graduates and competes in the same local private school admissions market.
• Westminster Christian Academy: Independent Christian PK-12 school in St. Louis metropolitan area. Comparable as an independent private school alternative for families considering non-public education in the region.
• Crossroads College Preparatory School: Small independent 7-12 school in St. Louis. Serves as a downstream destination for New City graduates and competes for the same parent demographic seeking private-school continuity.
• City Garden Montessori: Independent private K-8 school in St. Louis City offering progressive, child-centered education. Closely comparable in progressive pedagogy and St. Louis geography, though rooted in Montessori rather than MI curriculum.
• Mary Institute and Country Day School (MICDS): Leading St. Louis independent JK-12 school with comparable progressive-leaning curriculum and a similar tuition tier. Overlaps directly on admissions target families and matriculation pipeline.
• John Burroughs School: Highly regarded independent K-12 school in the St. Louis suburbs and the top destination for New City graduates (10 students from Class of 2026). Directly comparable in mission, tuition tier, and target demographic; differs only in grade range.
• The Principia School: Independent PK-12 school in St. Louis area serving similar tuition-paying families. Comparable on independent-school mission, progressive ethos, and St. Louis regional market overlap.
• Forsyth School: Independent private school in St. Louis serving roughly ages 3 through Grade 6 with a progressive, hands-on educational philosophy. Most directly comparable peer to New City given similar grade span, progressive pedagogy, and St. Louis geography.

Broad incumbents

• Bank Street College of Education: Nationally recognized progressive education institution in New York City where New City's current Head of School previously led. Comparable on progressive, child-centered pedagogy and is a thought-leadership peer in the MI/progressive education space.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@newcityschoolstl
• Facebookfacebook.com/newcityschool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/2804407
• Instagraminstagram.com/newcityschoolstl
• Xx.com/newcitystl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about New City School