City Academy 2018 Mary Institute and Country Day School 2024 Loyola University Chicago 2028 Every morning, Chloe Martin is up at 6:45 a.m. with a clear thought in mind: “I want to be a doctor. Dr. Martin. It just gets me out of bed.” Chloe’s drive traces back to City Academy, where she started in […]
City Academy 2020 Cardinal Ritter High School 2026 Jerone Boggs, a senior at Cardinal Ritter College Prep, has his sights set on a future in architecture. A 2020 graduate of City Academy, Jerone traces his passion for the field back to his childhood. “I always liked to draw when I was a kid,” he said. […]
City Academy 2021 Greater Atlanta Christian School 2027 Tyler Younger’s life took an unexpected turn when his mother accepted a new job opportunity in Atlanta. The move meant leaving City Academy halfway through his fifth-grade year — or so he thought. Due to the shift to virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, Tyler was able […]
One year ago, Zac Warr was wrapping up an internship in City Academy’s Communications Department, designing posters and rediscovering the school that shaped him as a child. He imagined his next step might be in marketing or strategic communications. Then, just as his internship was ending, the art teacher role opened. The timing felt serendipitous. […]
This year’s Brightman Award was presented to Ayomide Ajakaiye, CA ‘19, a John Burroughs School senior headed to Columbia University. The award honors a City Academy alumni who demonstrates academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to giving back. Ayomide has done all that and more — from leading a regional Model UN conference to interning […]
VJ White, a sophomore at Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School (MICDS), reflects on his journey from City Academy with gratitude. Starting at City Academy in second grade, VJ credits the school with preparing him well for secondary education, particularly in writing and reading,“I really enjoyed my experience,” he shared. “It helped me […]
For someone used to going fast as a track star at The Ohio State University and John Burroughs School, waiting weeks on end to receive the results from the Texas Bar Exam is a lot more stressful for Lailah Elliott. But you won’t find her waiting on the sidelines – Elliott recently started her legal […]
During Ayomide Ajakaiye’s 5th grade year at City Academy, her Language Arts teacher required each student to read at least one book from every region in the world. While Ayomide’s distinctly remembers her favorite book choice being “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins, she thinks the early exposure to other cultures may have had a […]
If you come looking for Jen Glassmeyer or David Maia around the City Academy campus during the school year, you will probably want to make an appointment. As Director of Alumni and Community Partnerships and Assistant Director of Alumni Partnerships, respectively, they spend their days crisscrossing St. Louis to meet with 107 City Academy alumni […]
At our 2024 Graduation Ceremony, many of our alumni filled out “Words of Wisdom” cards for the Class of 2024 in the alumni lounge. Our alumni team then assembled these into a paper quilt that was on display during our 6th grade transition dinner, during which our graduates and their parents joined alumni and alumni […]
Marshall Strawbridge’s most vivid early memory of his time at City Academy was attending the groundbreaking ceremony for the new building when he was in Kindergarten and later touring the new building and being in awe of how much space there was compared to the school’s previous home at Mathews-Dickey Boys’ and Girls’ Club. “It […]
As a proud alumna of both City Academy and LEAD STL, Stephanie Briggs embodies the principles of leadership, empowerment, advocacy, and determination. Her role as Director of External Partnership at LEAD STL highlights her dedication to leveraging partnerships and resources to maximize the impact of the organization’s mission. Stephanie’s work is centered around creating programs […]
The following is the remarks delivered by Zuri Thomas as City Academy’s 25th Celebration Event on November 4, 2023. ‘I can be my best, by doing my best in everything I do.’ Those were a few of the words that were part of the pledge that I and the rest of the student body would […]
As part of City Academy’s ongoing efforts to provide opportunities to our alumni for networking, enrichment, and growth, internships were made available at four St. Louis companies this summer: M3 Engineering Group, Reinsurance Group of America (RGA), St. Louis Trust & Family Office, and Thompson Street Capital Partners.Three high school students interned with RGA, while […]
Each year, City Academy awards the Martin Mathews Award to sixth grade students who reflect Mr. Mathews’ values and have demonstrated exceptional citizenship and academic integrity. Mr. Mathews was a visionary civic leader who had a profound impact on City Academy and the city of St. Louis. He led by example and spent his life […]
Hello everyone, my name is Verselé though when I went here everyone knew me as VJ. First off I want to start by congratulating the graduating class of 2023! This is an amazing accomplishment and you all should be very proud. I once was sitting where you all are now and I remember an Alum […]
Jordan Wilson was part of the first graduating class at City Academy in 2005, so most of his years were spent at Mathews-Dickey Boys’ and Girls’ Club before the new campus opened in 2004. In more than one way, it felt like a home away from home.
City Academy (2009), John Burroughs (2015), Beloit College (2019), Rutgers University (Ex. 2024) Michael Strawbridge still remembers singing “Celebrate” while watching the bulldozers break ground on City Academy’s new campus in 2003 during his first year at the school, at the time based out of Mathews-Dickey Boys’ and Girls’ Club. “I remember the hype of […]
City Academy (2021), Villa Duchesne (Exp. 2027) A recent graduate of City Academy, Whitney Gross wasted no time in getting heavily involved at Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School. Already a member of show choir, and the volleyball and basketball teams, Whitney applied and was selected to go on the Sacred Heart trip to Chicago […]
City Academy (2011), John Burroughs (2017), Washington University (2021) Jordan spent just three years at City Academy, but his time here left a lasting impact on him. He fondly remembers his science classes and he enjoyed learning more about robotics during the extended day program. One of his most inspiring teachers was his literature teacher, […]
I would just like to start off by saying I am honored to be the 2022 Brightman Award recipient. City Academy was my home for eight years, and even after I left it continued to support me and welcome me into its community. There has never been a moment where I could not contact a […]
At the 2021 Virtual Annual Luncheon, we were thrilled to present alumna Najaah Muhammad ’15 (MICDS ’21) with this year’s Brightman Award. The Brightman Award is named for John Brightman, one of City Academy’s original board members and supporters. John was integral in the start of the school, and this award, including a $1,000 scholarship, […]
Graduation Alumnus Speech | Zion Thomas ’13 (MICDS ’19) Hello! I’m Zion Thomas, a 2013 City Academy alumnus, and a recent graduate of MICDS, headed to Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio this Fall. Let me begin by saying congratulations…to all of you. Today marks a significant milestone in your lives, a resolution to […]
Camp Cultural Leadership was an influential experience. I learned about social justice issues and how they affected people, African American and Jewish history, and made great new friends. Camp Cultural Leadership is the 3 week camp version of the high school program, Cultural Leadership. During camp we studied African American and Jewish history, and their […]
City Academy 2018 Graduation Alumnus Speech | Kendall McLemore ’12 (Priory ’18) Today I want to talk briefly about mottos or, as some people call them, mantras. A motto is a short sentence or phrase chosen to encapsulate the beliefs or ideals guiding an individual, family, or institution. At each point in my life I […]
Shawn Williamson ’07 (Whitfield School ’13, Texas Christian University ’17) City Academy began in 1999 with three grades at Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club. One student in City Academy’s first junior kindergarten class was Shawn Williamson ’07 (Whitfield School ’13, Texas Christian University ’17). Now in her first semester at Saint Louis University School of […]
I’m so thankful and honored to be here today. As a senior at MICDS, I’m consumed by all things related to finishing this final semester and getting ready for college. When I learned that I was a recipient of this award, it allowed me to pause and reflect on my experience at City Academy. I […]
Hello, I’m Najee Walker. I am a City Academy alumna from the class of 2012 and I am grateful to have the opportunity to receive the Alumni Award from Wells Fargo Advisors, as well as flattered that City Academy nominated me.
For several families in St. Louis, quality and affordable educational opportunities are out of reach. Like all parents, Tamara and Demetrius want the best for their children. After being disappointed in their neighborhood’s school district, they were thrilled to find an innovative school near their home. At City Academy, the Thomas family has found a […]
Khadijah Fortenberry ’06 Whitfield School ’12, University of Mississippi ’16 I came to City Academy in 2005, a year after the school moved from Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club and into its new home across the street. I remember how excited the community was for the new edition. Each time my mother and I would […]
Schools with a Relationship Culture say, “You are always my student. You can graduate from my school, but I stay with you. I stay with your family. I will judge my success not by your eighth-grade degree, but by your college degree.” I see similar commitment at City Academy, where school runs through sixth grade but […]
We believe that every child should have access to high quality education, regardless of a family’s income or geographic location. All students at City Academy receive tuition support through generous donations from local foundations, corporations, and individual donors. Tuition is based on income and varies by family. Tuition includes before and after school programs, as […]
Good evening, I am Sydni Hall, and I am so very honored to have been chosen as the alumni speaker for City Academy’s Class of 2017 graduation ceremony. This class is very special to me, as my brother, Steven Hall, is among the graduates tonight. As he completes his elementary school journey and transitions into […]
“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” Martin Luther King, Jr. This seminal quote delivered by Dr. King served as both a rallying cry and proverbial exclamation mark to conclude a stirring address made […]
Each year, Wells Fargo Advisors recognizes a City Academy alumnus with the Wells Fargo Advisors Alumni Service Award. This year, two graduates were recognized at our Annual Luncheon on December 1: Marshall Strawbridge ’11 (The Fulton School ’17) and Mark Wheeler ’11 (Whitfield School ’17).
As the only private, independent school in north St. Louis city, we are committed to providing exceptional education that transforms the community. One of the best examples we have of our community impact is our alumni. For many students, once they graduate from elementary school, they no longer have much contact with the school or […]
We are fortunate to have our alumni volunteering and interning at City Academy this summer. They are truly showing our current students what it means to make a difference in the community. We could not ask for better role models or volunteers!
Dream wild. Dream big. Dream often. “Whether you think you can or you think that you can’t, you’re right.” This is a quote that I have lived by my entire life. I learned that I am able to do anything and everything that I believe that I can do, and that there is no stronger […]
City Academy alumni are dedicated to giving back to the community that has given them so much. Even after graduating from City Academy, the majority of our alumni realize the impact that the school has made on them and continue to come back to volunteer. In fact, a group of about a dozen alumni in […]
City Academy is dedicated to providing support not only to our 180 students, but also to our 155 alumni. Each semester, I conduct about 100 visits to our alumni. I check in on their progress, conduct one-on-one counseling sessions, and meet with advisers, principals and heads of school. The following is an update as to […]
For many families in our community, quality educational options are out of reach. Through City Academy’s scholarship program, Monalisa Gooden found a supportive community with exceptional academics for her two children, Charles ’13 and Carlos ’14. Like all parents, Monalisa dreams of providing the best opportunities for her children. After being disappointed in her neighborhood’s […]
We empathize with parents who love St. Louis city and are looking for affordable, quality education for their children. We grew up in the city during the midst of the suburban flight that emptied many neighborhoods and contributed to the declining enrollment in our schools. This said, we remain committed to living in the city […]
