Rossman School Celebrates 100 Years of Tradition and Innovation

At Rossman School, kids don’t just step into a classroom, they step into a family, where the students they sit next to six hours a day or see in the hallway aren’t just classmates, but true friends they can count on today and for years to come.

Since 1917, Rossman, an elementary school built on providing a strong, well-balanced education in a nurturing school community, has fostered an unbreakable bond between students, teachers and alumni that has extended for generations, making it one of the most unique educational experiences in the region.

As it marks its centennial with special events throughout the year, Rossman continues to celebrate the young child by helping provide each student with the foundation every kid deserves – intellectually, emotionally and socially.

“In a school setting, character development is just as important as strong academics,” said Patricia Shipley, Head of School. “We’re not only focused on how much a child learns, but the person they’re starting to become. We want our kids to care about each other and the world around them. And to be respectful of all.”

How Rossman School Began

When the closing of elementary schools in St. Louis during the early 1900’s left a void for students in the city, two veteran teachers, Mary B. Rossman and Helen Schwaner, stood up on their behalf, opening their own school on Delmar Ave. in 1917.

The goal of Rossman School was to provide kids, regardless of race, creed or economic status, the opportunity to develop a positive self-image by helping them realize their academic potential and building on their natural curiosity and excitement to learn.

Over the next century, Rossman evolved from a three-grade school in the city into an independent coeducational preparatory school on a 20-acre campus in Creve Coeur, serving kids in junior kindergarten through sixth grade.

Today, teachers and staff take the founders’ principles a step further, bringing education to life with daily exploration, experimentation and creativity. They complement a curriculum focused on writing, public speaking and STEAM with the latest technological advancements that prepare students for junior high school and well into adulthood.

While Rossman continues to look toward the future, its focus remains on family. Classes are small, with only one class per grade, and all teachers are involved in the students’ lives.

“We want to create as nurturing an atmosphere as possible,” Shipley said. “That means developing strong relationships with all the kids and helping them in any way we can. Our students always know they have someone they can count on.”

Part of that community building includes Rossman’s Family Program. Every child who enters Rossman becomes part of a “family” until they graduate. A “family” includes a teacher as well as students from each grade level who meet once a month for fun, character-constructing group activities, allowing them to create relationships outside the classroom.

In addition, Rossman honors the sanctity of tradition in an ever-changing world. For Laura Dierberg Padousis, an alumna and proud parent of two current Rossman students and one happy graduate, watching the school evolve while respecting what got it there continues to resonate with her.

“While the transformation of the Rossman campus has been extensive since my time as a student there, the traditions that I will always remember are still a huge part of who Rossman is,” she remarked. “My children still wear red capes at the unforgettable holiday program and sing ‘Grand ‘Ole Flag’ at every morning assembly.”

She added, “It’s an indescribable feeling to see that Rossman has continued its tradition of outstanding academics balanced with such a warm and supportive environment. I feel very fortunate that our children have had the same opportunity as I did to experience such a wonderful place for their childhood and early adolescent education.”

Experience a Century of Change in Person

Rossman’s approach to education is so renowned that the school has been named one of the “50 Best Private Elementary Schools in the U.S.” by TheBestSchools.org and ranked number one among “Small Workplaces in St. Louis” by The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

While the accolades are enough to build interest among parents looking for a unique approach to education, Shipley noted you truly have to experience Rossman in person to get a feel for its program. And you can get your sneak peek with open house events, every Thursday in October from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

During the tour, you can hear from the students on their Rossman experience, check out the classrooms, and talk to alumni whose lives have been shaped by the school. In addition, Rossman will host special a preview for its junior kindergarten program on November 16 and a final open house January 19. To learn more, visit www.rossmanschool.org or call 314-434-5877. 

For Dierberg Padousis, the school will forever hold a place in her heart – and that of so many other families.

“We feel so unbelievably fortunate that all three of our kids have experienced this incredible place. It will be especially hard to watch our youngest child graduate in the not too distant future – Rossman will have been our home for the past 14 years! I know I will look back and say those were our best years too.”