South KC Private School News

Lutheran High School

Lutheran High School has made some building improvements including a $1.6 million dollar addition to the front of the building and renovation of school locker rooms. The school is also working on other cosmetic improvements to its commons lobby. This will be the first full year of utilizing the new spaces. The additions have increased building security and exposure to the community.

Lutheran High School is now connected with the Missouri Scholars program for the first time. This program enables scholarships through partners that makes Lutheran High School more accessible to families with financial need. “This is a great opportunity for our families and for our school to continue to reach out and serve our community,” says Lutheran High School Executive Director Adam Kirsch.

Daniel Academy expands within campus

The Daniel Academy plans to start construction for a new gymnasium with 12 classrooms and a soccer field. The nondenominational Christian school is located at 106th and Wornall, north of Notre Dame de Sion. (It was the former Marillac building.)

Daniel Academy currently has no gym and must lease space from the Center School District. This usually leads to an undesirable evening practice time.

Daniel Academy has experienced growth in its student population since it opened at the location 10 years ago. Now at 300 students, the K-12 school has recently added pre-K and daycare options which could add more growth.

The school’s plans are to build a 36,600 square foot gym and class room facility east of the current building, a proposed recreational field, added parking, sidewalks and extended driveway off 106th Street.

Rockhurst High School

Rockhurst High School has named Fr. Stephen Kramer, SJ, as the school’s new Principal. He replaces Fr. Vincent Giacabazi, SJ., who moved to Tampa, Fla., to take on the President position at the Jesuit High School in Tampa.

Fr. Kramer has served a variety of roles in his 18 years in the Society of Jesus (SJ). His most recent position was Prefect of Students and Special Assistant to the President of Jesuit High School in New Orleans, La., where he also taught theology. He also has taught at De Smet Jesuit High School in St. Louis and Regis Jesuit High School in Denver, Co.

Fr. Kramer is a native of St. Louis and a graduate of St. Louis University High School. He holds his undergraduate degree from St. Louis University and master’s degrees from Boston College. He has completed the University of Notre Dame McGrath Institute Capstone Program for Curricular Development in Science and Religion.

Fr. Kramer began in July at Rockhurst following a Tertianship program in Nairobi, Kenya.

Barstow Schools

In addition to welcoming the new President and Head of School Art Hall, Barstow Schools, 115th and State Line Road, is also welcoming more students. This year Barstow boasts a record enrollment of 788 students. Part of this growth is due to the new Preschool Prep and Pathways Program introduced last year for those ages two-and-a-half and older. The growth also comes on the heels of a massive capital campaign last year which added a second driveway on campus and opened the new Foster Athletic Center — named in honor of its former president Shane Foster.

Barstow has also been selected by the National Art Education Association to participate in the pilot of the National Elementary Art Honor Society, which recognizes and supports elementary students who demonstrate outstanding commitment to the visual arts.