Frequently Asked Questions
Are you a Montessori school?
Yes, we are a Montessori school. Our toddler through 3rd grade students experience a traditional Montessori environment like you would see in Montessori classrooms worldwide. This student-centered, hands-on approach was developed by Dr. Maria Montessori to meet the intellectual, emotional, and social needs of children as aligned with their developmental readiness for learning. In 4th through 12th grades, we continue to implement the Montessori philosophy and supplementary programs (like travel, community service, and athletics -- see below), but course content is built on a more traditional college-preparatory curriculum.
Yes, we are a Montessori school. Our toddler through 3rd grade students experience a traditional Montessori environment like you would see in Montessori classrooms worldwide. This student-centered, hands-on approach was developed by Dr. Maria Montessori to meet the intellectual, emotional, and social needs of children as aligned with their developmental readiness for learning. In 4th through 12th grades, we continue to implement the Montessori philosophy and supplementary programs (like travel, community service, and athletics -- see below), but course content is built on a more traditional college-preparatory curriculum.
What does it mean to be a Montessori school?
The Montessori Method is a philosophy and a curriculum that addresses the whole child, not just his/her academic needs. All children naturally love to learn, and the Montessori approach works with their development, while many methods neglect that development. Programs and assignments evolve with the students as they mature. We nurture their physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development to help them become the adults they were meant to be. Read more about Montessori here.
The Montessori Method is a philosophy and a curriculum that addresses the whole child, not just his/her academic needs. All children naturally love to learn, and the Montessori approach works with their development, while many methods neglect that development. Programs and assignments evolve with the students as they mature. We nurture their physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development to help them become the adults they were meant to be. Read more about Montessori here.
Are you a college-prep school?
Yes. The Montessori program provides a fantastic intellectual foundation for young children, while cultivating joy, curiosity, and self-confidence. Starting in 4th grade, we adopt more traditional college-preparatory content but deliver it through the Montessori lens that works with rather than against each student’s developmental readiness. Our graduates continually report that they were well prepared for college and are experiencing a fulfilling post-secondary life following their education at The Fulton School, attributing much of their success to our small size and Montessori philosophy.
Yes. The Montessori program provides a fantastic intellectual foundation for young children, while cultivating joy, curiosity, and self-confidence. Starting in 4th grade, we adopt more traditional college-preparatory content but deliver it through the Montessori lens that works with rather than against each student’s developmental readiness. Our graduates continually report that they were well prepared for college and are experiencing a fulfilling post-secondary life following their education at The Fulton School, attributing much of their success to our small size and Montessori philosophy.
Is The Fulton School accredited?
Yes. The Fulton School is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS). We are also a full-member of the American Montessori Society (AMS) and a member of the Independent Schools of St. Louis (ISSL).
Yes. The Fulton School is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS). We are also a full-member of the American Montessori Society (AMS) and a member of the Independent Schools of St. Louis (ISSL).
What grade levels do you offer?
Our classrooms serve toddlers (18 months old) all the way through 12th grade. Here’s the breakdown:
Our classrooms serve toddlers (18 months old) all the way through 12th grade. Here’s the breakdown:
Lower School
Toddlers: 18 months through age 3
Children’s House: Ages 3 through 6 (Preschool and Kindergarten)
Lower Elementary: Grades 1, 2, and 3
Upper Elementary: Grades 4, 5, and 6
Toddlers: 18 months through age 3
Children’s House: Ages 3 through 6 (Preschool and Kindergarten)
Lower Elementary: Grades 1, 2, and 3
Upper Elementary: Grades 4, 5, and 6
Upper School
Middle School: Grades 7 and 8
High School: Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
Middle School: Grades 7 and 8
High School: Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
How do your multi-age classrooms work?
At The Fulton School, there are no ceilings and no hiding places. Students can work at their own pace. This means that, while teachers are tracking student progress, grade level is less relevant. Whether they are working individually or in small groups, the students are doing the work they are ready for at a pace that works for them.
At The Fulton School, there are no ceilings and no hiding places. Students can work at their own pace. This means that, while teachers are tracking student progress, grade level is less relevant. Whether they are working individually or in small groups, the students are doing the work they are ready for at a pace that works for them.
What are your school hours?
School begins for everyone at 8:15 am, except for Thursdays.
School begins for everyone at 8:15 am, except for Thursdays.
Thursdays are Late-Start mornings, which allow faculty/staff to have an hour of collaboration time – school starts at 9:15 am on Thursdays (except for toddlers – they begin their school day as normal, at 8:15 am). Complimentary Before Care for children in preschool through 6th grade is available from 7:30 to 9:00 am on Thursdays. You can find more details about Extended Care here.
Half-day toddler/preschool students are dismissed at 11:15 am.
All-day Lower School students (toddlers through 6th grade) are dismissed from 3:15-3:30 pm.
Upper School students (7th through 12th grades) are dismissed at 3:30 pm.
How many students are enrolled at The Fulton School?
We have approximately 115 students -- from 18 months old through 12th grade. Our families come from more than 30 different zip codes and three different counties across the St. Louis region, while our families’ countries of origin span the globe.
We have approximately 115 students -- from 18 months old through 12th grade. Our families come from more than 30 different zip codes and three different counties across the St. Louis region, while our families’ countries of origin span the globe.
What is your student-teacher ratio?
As a school, we maintain an average student-teacher ratio of 8:1. The Toddler classroom is 5:1, the Children’s House is 10:1, and 1st through 12th grade classrooms are 15:1.Our low student-teacher ratios allow teachers to know students deeply and create strong connections.
How big is your campus?
Our campus at 1100 White Road spans 9 acres. It includes outdoor learning and dining areas, gardens, playgrounds, a soccer field, basketball court, gaga ball pit, chicken coop, apiary (bee hives), hammock garden, and lots of tall, mature trees that create the perfect shaded grounds for outdoor activities and classes. One building houses all of our classrooms and offices, including a gymnasium and a Makerspace lab.
Our campus at 1100 White Road spans 9 acres. It includes outdoor learning and dining areas, gardens, playgrounds, a soccer field, basketball court, gaga ball pit, chicken coop, apiary (bee hives), hammock garden, and lots of tall, mature trees that create the perfect shaded grounds for outdoor activities and classes. One building houses all of our classrooms and offices, including a gymnasium and a Makerspace lab.
Is lunch provided?
Lunch is not included in a student's tuition, but we do offer a Hot Lunch Program through Nourish. Parents can review a monthly menu and choose which days their child would like to purchase lunch. Students can also bring their own lunches (microwaves are available for their use).
Lunch is not included in a student's tuition, but we do offer a Hot Lunch Program through Nourish. Parents can review a monthly menu and choose which days their child would like to purchase lunch. Students can also bring their own lunches (microwaves are available for their use).
Do you have recess daily?
Yes, we have recess daily for all students, preschool through 6th grade. Upper School students have plenty of down time to chat and recharge throughout their day.
Yes, we have recess daily for all students, preschool through 6th grade. Upper School students have plenty of down time to chat and recharge throughout their day.
Is there a dress code?
We do not have a specific dress code that outlines what can and cannot be worn in extensive detail. We ask that students be dressed well to work and play. In general, clothing should be in good condition, without tears, comfortable, and readily managed by the students themselves.
We do not have a specific dress code that outlines what can and cannot be worn in extensive detail. We ask that students be dressed well to work and play. In general, clothing should be in good condition, without tears, comfortable, and readily managed by the students themselves.
What is your approach to homework?
In our view, all work, including work completed in class or outside of class, should be meaningful and relevant to the student. We do not assign homework for the sake of a rote routine. Prior to 4th grade, children do not have homework. In 4th grade and beyond, students will have some work to complete outside of school, especially if they have missed time in class, have not optimized the time provided to complete work, and/or are working on longer-term projects and assignments that require additional time to complete.
In our view, all work, including work completed in class or outside of class, should be meaningful and relevant to the student. We do not assign homework for the sake of a rote routine. Prior to 4th grade, children do not have homework. In 4th grade and beyond, students will have some work to complete outside of school, especially if they have missed time in class, have not optimized the time provided to complete work, and/or are working on longer-term projects and assignments that require additional time to complete.
What is your approach to screen time, including phones and computers?
During our school day, students Grade 3 and under are not on screens at all.
During our school day, students Grade 3 and under are not on screens at all.
Starting in Grade 4, students receive a school email address, begin teacher-supervised typing practice and research, and learn how to use Google Docs to write papers. They collaborate with teachers every step of the way.
Chromebooks are provided and managed by the school for students in Grades 4 through 8. At the beginning of the school year, we meet with students in Grades 4 through 12 to discuss safety, “netiquette,” and appropriate use of these tools, and they are asked to sign a Technology Agreement.
Personal devices (phones, smartwatches, tablets) are not allowed at school at all through 6th grade. Beginning in 7th grade, students who choose to bring personal devices to school will leave them in a supervised “phone booth,” which they can access briefly during breaks. Many students do not bring a device at all, and we encourage and support that.
Do you offer honors classes or dual enrollment for high schoolers?
Yes. The option to pursue honors coursework is available in all full-credit high school courses following the initiative of the student and the consent of the parent, instructor, and advisor. The Fulton School partners with St. Louis University’s 1818 program to offer dual credit courses for juniors and seniors. These courses allow students already enrolled in honors-level high school courses to earn college credit.
Yes. The option to pursue honors coursework is available in all full-credit high school courses following the initiative of the student and the consent of the parent, instructor, and advisor. The Fulton School partners with St. Louis University’s 1818 program to offer dual credit courses for juniors and seniors. These courses allow students already enrolled in honors-level high school courses to earn college credit.
Are prospective students subject to admissions testing?
We require the last two years of grades/report cards/transcripts and standardized testing results during the application process, and teachers may conduct placement work with prospective students when they visit to determine readiness. Upper School applicants will take a brief skills test to help us with placement and fit.
We require the last two years of grades/report cards/transcripts and standardized testing results during the application process, and teachers may conduct placement work with prospective students when they visit to determine readiness. Upper School applicants will take a brief skills test to help us with placement and fit.
Do you accept neurodiverse learners, including gifted learners, twice exceptional students, and/or students with diagnoses such as learning disabilities?
Yes. We believe that every student learns in a unique way and that every student exceeds our expectations when their activities are meaningful and relevant. This philosophy, combined with our small student-teacher ratio, creates an environment where many neurodiverse learners can thrive. We are very careful to work with prospective families to make sure that we are the right fit for students. We offer a Learning Support Program for an additional fee, though we do not offer therapeutic or intensive learning support.
Yes. We believe that every student learns in a unique way and that every student exceeds our expectations when their activities are meaningful and relevant. This philosophy, combined with our small student-teacher ratio, creates an environment where many neurodiverse learners can thrive. We are very careful to work with prospective families to make sure that we are the right fit for students. We offer a Learning Support Program for an additional fee, though we do not offer therapeutic or intensive learning support.