The world is becoming smaller. Globalization is connecting people in business and everyday life, so Whitfield School in Creve Coeur cultivates its students to develop an expanded perspective on the global community they will enter after graduation. “There is no telling who our students will sit next to in college classes or work with afterward,” says head of school John Delautre. “Every school should be asking how it can prepare students to thrive in a globalized world.”
Cultural competency always has been an integral part of Whitfield’s college preparatory curriculum, and the school is expanding this element through an international student program. Three years ago, Whitfield began a partnership with a school in China. “Initially, it involved our teachers visiting the partner school to teach English,” Delautre explains. “They gained valuable experience in an international environment. As a result of this collaboration, we began to get applications from students in China, first from our partner school and then elsewhere.”
Since then, Whitfield’s program has expanded to include students from Europe, South America, the Middle East and other parts of Asia. Delautre explains that each international student must go through the same application process as any other. “We want to give them the level of attention we give all our students to make sure they are successful,” he says. The formula is working; Whitfield has a 100 percent return rate for international students, and they are an important part of the Whitfield community. “There was a learning curve on both sides initially. These students have different ways of looking at the world and different habits,” Delautre says. “It’s exciting to see how they have developed deep relationships with students and families, and have added a new dimension to our classrooms and discussions.”
The experience is invaluable to Whitfield’s St. Louis students too, he notes. “Having students from other countries in the classroom changes the way conversation and work are approached,” he explains. There are currently 20 international students enrolled, and while that may seem like a modest number, Delautre says the benefits can be felt throughout the entire campus. “We want it to be as enriching as possible,” he says. “We haven’t reached our full potential.”
To help students further broaden their international perspectives, Whitfield introduced Mandarin as a foreign language option three years ago. “It has been a valuable addition and has created student interest in China,” Delautre says. Sixteen Whitfield students traveled there with staff in spring 2016. “It was the most positive, sustained experience I have had as an educator,” Delautre says. “We had amazing experiences from Inner Mongolia to Beijing, but the openness of our students stood out to me the most.”
Whitfield School is an independent, coeducational college prepartory day school for grades six-to-12. It endeavors to cultivate ethical, confident, and successful students in a community of innovation, collaboration and trust. Pictured on the cover, seated: Sheng Zhou, Isaac butler, Sylvia Wang. Standing: Head of School John Delautre, Huyen Nguyen, International Student Coordinator Jessica Butler, Mateo Luna-barrera. For more information, call 314.434.5141 or visit whitfieldschool.org.
Cover Design | Allie Bronsky
Cover Photo | Whitfield School
