Lower School FAQs

We have 225 students in our Beasley Lower School (Junior Kindergarten-4th grade) and 1,242 students in our JK-12 community at MICDS. Beasley has two or three homerooms per grade and 12-18 students in each homeroom. Every grade level has 3-4 dedicated teachers, plus specialist teachers who teach JK-4th grade. Our student-to-teacher ratio is 6:1.

MICDS has an intentionally diverse, welcoming community. Our families come from over 70 zip codes throughout the St. Louis area, and 31% of our students are supported by more than $8.8 million in need-based tuition assistance. Also, 42% of our students self-identify as students of color. Our students practice different faiths, are ideologically and racially diverse, learn differently, and, in some cases, speak different languages at home. What unites us is a common belief in the call to action of our Mission Statement: to embrace all of the world’s people with compassion, to stand for what is good and right, and to lead lives of purpose and service.

Our Parent Welcoming Committee and Ram Family Connections program pairs every new Lower School family with a current family to help new students build relationships with classmates while also helping new parents connect with other parents in the same grade level. New students and parents are also invited to a number of welcoming events in the spring, summer, and early fall. In addition, Class Parent Chairs connect with new parents to welcome them and provide support throughout the school year.

Ronald S. Beasley, an Englishman, and his wife, came to St. Louis in the fall of 1949 to become the headmaster of Mary Institute. He had a wonderful 20-year career at the school and was much beloved by many. Towards the end of his tenure, he and the board began researching making the grades JK–4 a coeducational experience for boys and girls. What had been the Mary Institute kindergarten and primary grades became the Ronald S. Beasley School. Mr. Beasley retired at the end of the 1968-1969 school year. The Beasley School opened in the fall of 1969 and has been going strong since, affectionately honoring Ronald S. Beasley.

Starting in Junior Kindergarten, students experience a thorough grounding in physical education, creative movement, visual arts, and vocal and instrumental music as a regular part of their time at school. Extracurricular experiences, such as recreational team sports, are also available and are organized by parent volunteers at each Lower School grade level.

Lower School tuition includes lunch and snacks, one-to-one technology tools, and all books and materials. Morning care and field trip costs are also included. On the first day of school, all your child needs is a backpack and a pair of shoes to keep at school for physical education.

Schoolwide, we award more than $8.8 million in need-based tuition assistance each year to families, and 31% of our students receive some amount of financial support.

MICDS has a vibrant and active parent body. All current MICDS parents and guardians are automatically part of our Parents Association (PA). The PA offers numerous ways to engage in our community, including through educational speakers, cultural events, book clubs, social gatherings, and volunteer opportunities. Most importantly, we collaborate with our parents/guardians through our Parent-School Partnership, a formal commitment between families and the School to embrace the tenets of our Mission Statement as we work together to support the growth of our students.

We believe after-school activities should be just as exciting and engaging as the school day itself. Our extended day program (available at an additional cost) is dedicated to providing a vibrant, learning-rich experience in a safe, nurturing atmosphere until 6:00 p.m. every day; and we offer a host of enrichment activities – from Chess, Beasley Acting Club, and All Aboard the Hogwarts Express to Game Design, Strings & Piano Lessons, and Junior Robotics.

Beasley students spend time each day engaged in whole group, small group, and differentiated work with their teachers and classmates to receive the best instruction for each child. In addition to dedicated time each day with homeroom teachers focusing on language arts, math, and social studies, students at all grade levels are immersed in hands-on learning experiences with specialist teachers one to three times each week in visual arts, music, information literacy, science, and Spanish. They also participate in physical education every day!

Our teachers understand technology is a powerful tool that, when used appropriately and responsibly, facilitates the development of a rigorous, engaging, and innovative curriculum. Technology allows our teachers to differentiate, be creative, use real-world data, test complex models, and deliver a progressive, 21st-century education.

Lower School students benefit from our one-to-one iPad and MacBook Air program, depending on the grade level. Our technology literacy program focuses on enhancing the curriculum, not using it as a substitute when another approach would be pedagogically more sound. Our Lower School Coordinator of Instructional Technology partners with each grade-level team to thoughtfully scaffold the introduction of technology and develop students into being good digital citizens who know how to make use of resources when needed.

Students thrive when they are known. Along with our expert teachers in the homerooms and specialist classrooms, Beasley has its own counselor, learning specialist, and literacy coordinator who collaborate with our homeroom teachers to support students as needed. Our teachers and staff meet students where they are and work with them to become the best version of themselves.

We asked a few Beasley students last year about what it’s like to be a student in their class. Here’s what they had to say:

“I love my class, all my friends, and my teacher. I feel like without some of the people who go here, I’d feel much less confident the way I am. My class has really brought out the real me.” ~ Charlotte B. ’35

“It feels really cool. I like being here. I have loved this school ever since I joined. I have really good friends, and I don’t think I’d have the same friends if I didn’t go here.” ~ Lily N. ‘34

“It’s really good because everyone is always nice to one another. The teachers make you feel included, and everyone makes you feel like you belong here.” ~ Fenix R. ’35

As you have more questions, please contact Bill Senti, the Associate Director of Admission – MICDS Lower School:

• wsenti@micds.org
• 314.995.7422

Additionally, our entire Admission team is delighted to help answer any questions. Meet the whole Admission team here.

Best wishes for your search!