At The College School, we believe in the transformative power of experiential learning.
With a commitment to academic excellence and outdoor education, we foster a vibrant community where students don’t just acquire knowledge—they apply it, developing the resilience and adaptability to thrive in an ever-evolving global landscape.
Through authentic experiences, students stretch their thinking, strengthen their character, and gain the confidence to take risks and use their voices. In our close-knit community, every day offers a chance to grow stronger, braver, and more determined.
“TCS has far exceeded my expectations in providing an education for my children. While there are more hands-on, experiential learning opportunities, it’s the way my children are taught to view the world that leaves the deepest impression. My children have learned more than just academics. They’ve learned life skills that they’ll carry with them well into adulthood.”
TCS Parent
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Fourth Grade students have been diving into geology and the ever-changing Earth, taking ownership of their learning along the way. 🌍
To deepen their understanding, students chose a topic that sparked their curiosity, started by asking a question, researched to find answers, and created a presentation in any format they wanted (ithink: robots, LEGO, erosion tables, flashlights, to name a few). This student-led approach kept our learners fully engaged, motivated, and excited to discover more.
Some of the questions they explored included:
• How can we slow beach erosion?
• How do submarine and surface volcanoes shape Earth?
• Why do some rocks glow?
• How has the Earth changed over time?
• What is the most famous fossil?
Great work, Fourth Grade!
Skills + Content + Curiosity = Learning at The College School
At The College School, our curriculum is built on the belief that
skills and content, while not the same — are both important.
🧠 Skills are the tools students need to think, communicate, and problem-solve.
From strong reading and writing habits to mathematical reasoning, collaboration, and executive functioning, our teachers intentionally build and layer these skills over time. We use standards as guides — not limits — so we can meet each child where they are and help them grow with confidence.
🌎 Content is what students explore.
From studying ecosystems at LaBarque, to researching changemakers, to designing experiments, visiting STL neighborhoods, and tackling real-world challenges, learning is hands-on and connected across subjects. Topics evolve with student interests, questions, and the world around them — keeping school meaningful and alive.
✨ Our guiding principles
Our learning is:
✔ Experiential and Reggio inspired — grounded in real-world, hands-on discovery
✔ Integrated — connecting subjects in authentic ways
✔ Student-centered — fueled by curiosity and voice
✔ Outdoors — because nature is one of our greatest classrooms
We teach the whole child — nurturing resilience, empathy, independence, and joy alongside academics.
Because when learning is active, purposeful, and personal…
it sticks. 💙
#TheCollegeSchool #ExperientialLearning #ReggioInspired #WholeChildEducation #OutdoorLearning #ProgressiveEducation #CuriosityDriven #WebsterGroves #STLParents
Newport welcomed a special visitor today! 🦖
Dr. Rick, a fellow fossil enthusiast, shared incredible specimens from his own fossil-hunting adventures (including real dinosaur bones!). Students joined him in small groups and were captivated by the stories, science, and hands-on learning. Thanks, Dr. Rick! We loved your enthusiasm and how you shared your time (and fossils!) with us!
