By Glen Vaughn-Peterson/Kathy Feist
Notre Dame de Sion – Notre Dame de Sion, 10631 Wornall Rd., will be opening its newly constructed Science Atrium in September. Around 15,000 square feet of renovated space will allow for four science labs, a new entrance and STEM atrium as well as new publications lab, collaborative student spaces, and teacher workspace. The renovation will be a nice feature when the school hosts the International Schools Conference this spring, attracting students from all over the world, including England, Australia, Brazil, France. Sion students will also see an increase in international and intranational service trips in conjunction with St. Thomas More School.
Barstow School – Barstow School, 11511 State Line Rd., is nearing the end of a major overhaul of its varsity soccer field, replacing grass with a turf surface. The field renovation is part of a series of projects funded by an anonymous $7.5 million gift, the largest single donation in school history. That gift will also fund a new athletic building, currently in the planning stage, which will include team locker rooms, golf simulators, a dance studio, team meeting rooms, concession stand and community space,
The current PE locker rooms in the main campus building are undergoing a complete overhaul. Additionally phase one is nearing completion of a roof replacement, starting with the lower school wing and continuing across the building through 2023. Construction of a state-of-the-art faculty lounge and resource center is nearing completion. Improvements will be made to the Knights baseball field, including infield turf, upgraded dugouts, backstop and netting, fencing and a scoreboard.
St. Elizabeth’s – Students attending St. Elizabeth’s. 2 E 75 St., will have a new STEAM Lab to look forward to as the school year progresses. In the meantime, the band is back after a two-year absence. New band instructor Trey DeBose will fill the role of Music and Band teacher. DeBose comes with 20 years of teaching experience and is skilled on almost 40 different instruments. St. Elizabeth’s is now offering new scholarship opportunities through the MOScholars program found at www.brightfuturesfund.org/moscholars.html .
Kansas City Academy – Kansas City Academy, 7911 Main St., is starting its 38th school year with a new Head of School, Brian McDavitt. McDavitt has a background in Technology Enhanced Teaching from MidAmerica Nazarene University and Educational Leadership Ed.S. from Arkansas State University. He has been a teacher and/or administrator in the Hickman Mills and Pleasant Hill school districts. KCA has one of its largest enrollment to date, with some openings for middle school students available.
Lutheran High School – Lutheran High School, 12411 Wornall, has seen an increase in enrollment this year. New faculty includes Keziah Bruns, a first year teacher in religion and music, Lisa Bahr from Hope Lutheran School in the registrar position and Math instruction, Christian Nord from Center High School as PE instructor and cross country coach, and Tamara Smith filling in as clerical staff in development and international student program.
Rockhurst High School- This year, Rockhurst will begin the use of its two newest facilities: their outdoor classroom on campus, and the Goppert Rock Plex, formerly the Red Bridge YMCA. A digital portfolio program is being integrated, starting with this year’s freshmen. Rockhurst’s award-winning Choir Program has a new director in Dr. Kevin Coker, who looks to build on the successes of his predecessor Sam Anderson.
Grandview Christian School – It was with much sadness that Grandview Christian School announced it was closing its doors after 47 years in operation. The school had recently moved to 5111 Harry S Truman Dr. in Grandview before school board members made the final decision July 14 to close its doors.