A child’s mind is not a tablet to be written upon or a cistern to be filled, but a living, growing entity to be guided, developed, trained and inspired. These words, written by the parents who founded John Burroughs School in 1923, still form the foundation of the school’s philosophy. “Education is not handed down from on high, from teacher to students,” says head of school Andy Abbott. “Burroughs is an active learning environment. We encourage students to be curious, to think for themselves, to question, to solve problems, to get involved. We help them discover and develop their unique potential in a community that provides a great deal of personal attention and support.”
The college preparatory school, for students grades seven through 12, balances academics, the arts, athletics and extracurricular activities. “We’re committed to the whole person, so each student participates to an extent in all of these areas,” Abbott says. Campus growth always has been driven by student needs, he adds. “Now, thanks to the Campaign for Burroughs, we have new or enlarged spaces where our students can perform, compete and congregate. It’s the largest building project we’ve ever undertaken.”
The campaign, launched in 2011, raised $45 million to build and maintain new athletic and performing arts centers, a new student commons, and an expanded central quadrangle. Led by chairman Steve Maritz with support from committee members Terry Schnuck, Mad Men’s Jon Hamm and Todd Schnuck, (all alums), the effort also established endowments to support scholarships, special programs, faculty salaries and professional development. “It’s an ongoing campaign that ensures the school stays strong and has no long-term debt,” Abbott says.
The new, 60,000-square-foot athletic center seats 600 and provides a multi-sport gym floor, cardio and weight rooms, offices, and locker rooms. The 53,000-square-foot Haertter Performing Arts Center, which seats 730, centralizes all teaching, rehearsal and performance space for music, dance and theater programs. The student commons provides an informal gathering place, and the expanded quad brings green space to the heart of the campus.
The school recently celebrated completion of the expansion, which transformed nearly 40 percent of the campus. Parents, alumni, faculty and staff turned out in full force. “The reaction was overwhelmingly positive,” Abbott says. “Each space looks and feels like Burroughs—welcoming, comfortable and completely unpretentious.” The Lawrence Group architects and PARIC Corp., the general contractor, maintained the campus’ gracious Spanish style and signature arches throughout. All additions are LEED-certified and sustainable, and the outdoor areas feature native Missouri plantings.
Abbott has been at Burroughs more than 13 years. “I’m proud of our renowned programs, of course, but it’s our people who make it special,” he says. “We have a unique environment: outstanding, committed students and faculty, and deeply engaged parents and alums, all of whom have reverence for education, humanity, social justice and diversity. When they join forces, remarkable things happen. The Campaign for Burroughs ensures our school will remain strong as we move forward.”
By Tony Di Martino
Photo: John Burroughs School
[For more information, call 314.993.4040 or visit jburroughs.org.]