Ages 6 through 10 or 11 mark a crucial stage in a young girl’s development. “They’re becoming more independent, discovering their strengths and learning how to navigate social situations,” says Margaret Karl, lower school principal at Visitation Academy. “It’s a time of great change and growth. That’s why we offer the only all-girls program in St. Louis for grades one through five.”
The private Catholic school provides an all-girls environment through grade 12 that guides students academically, spiritually and socially. “From our coed Montessori program to our lower, middle and upper school programs, we challenge students to be confident, curious and creative,” Karl says. The supportive environment enables students to express opinions, ask questions, excel academically and develop their talents, she notes. “The all-girls focus provides a strong foundation for future success, boosting their confidence, leadership ability and sense of service to others. We give them their own place to shine.”
That’s not the only thing that sets Visitation apart. “Our motto is ‘living Jesus,’ and we help students develop as integrated individuals who embody Christian values,” Karl says. “We focus on the whole child, nurturing individual development while also encouraging awareness of the broader community’s needs. Integrity, respect and kindness matter here. Children learn better in a caring environment.” The program’s small class size and 9-to-1 student-teacher ratio ensure that each student gets plenty of attention, she adds. “Our teachers know their students, inside out. They talk with them every day, taking every opportunity to make sure the girls are healthy and happy.”
Standards are high. “By the time they move on to middle school, our lower school students have mastered a wide range of skills and absorbed values that will guide them through the rest of their lives,” says admissions coordinator Stephanie Coulter. “A lower school graduate is expected to have the ability to apply her knowledge and talents across the curriculum and in real-world situations, solve problems through independent critical thinking, and be ready to function as a global citizen in a digital world.”
The school takes 21st-century learning seriously. “We’re the only girls school incorporating robotics into out STEM program, and every classroom is equipped with iPads and the latest technology,” Coulter says. “We integrate tech throughout the curriculum, including reading and social studies. Math is taught at a grade level above typical classrooms, and 40 percent of our fifth graders qualified for Mathematics Education for Gifted Secondary Students.” And 63 percent of the school’s fourth graders and 60 percent of the fifth graders qualified for Duke University’s Talent Identification Program, based on standardized test scores, she notes.
“Parents know when they send their daughter to Visitation that we’re committed to nurturing the potential of every single child,” Karl says. “Yes, we’re living in a time of rapid change, and the pace will only get faster. But our girls leave here ready for the next step—and fully prepared for the next challenge.”
[Visitation Academy, located at 3020 N. Ballas Road, is an independent Catholic school that offers a coeducational, Montessori-based early childhood program and an all-girls environment for grades one through 12. For more information, call 314.625.9100 or visit visitationacademy.org.]
