Celebrating Success, Planning Ahead

Dear Clayton Family,

We often talk about our Profile of a Graduate, and last night those attributes were on full display as members of the Class of 2026 crossed the stage at Chaifetz Arena to celebrate the end of their journey in Clayton. Seeing the smiles on their faces and hearing the cheers from the audience was a powerful reminder that student success is made possible through the partnership, encouragement and commitment of families, staff and our community. Thank you for the role you play in supporting our students and helping make moments like this possible.

Beyond graduation, I also want to share an update on the progress we have made on our Phase I facility improvement projects. Since the passage of Prop O, we have been advancing plans to renovate Glenridge Elementary, construct a new Learning Lab at Clayton High School, upgrade the Gay Field Athletic Complex and complete other priority capital improvements across the District to better support student learning.

Our Design Team is currently meeting with user groups to gather feedback and ensure these projects reflect the needs and priorities of our school community. We anticipate construction beginning in early 2027, starting with the Learning Lab at Clayton High School. This project is expected to take approximately 12 to 15 months and will be followed by work at Gay Field, which is anticipated to begin around March 2027 and continue for approximately one year.

Looking further ahead, beginning in June of next year, Glenridge Elementary will transition to a temporary Bridge Campus while the school undergoes a full renovation. Although the Bridge Campus location has not yet been finalized, Washington University’s former Fontbonne University campus remains our most promising option. A letter of intent is currently under review and lease negotiations are ongoing.

Given the complexity of the Glenridge project, District teams have already begun preparing for the transition to the Bridge Campus, including planning for transportation, school meals, staffing, technology infrastructure, safety and security, and the overall move. This fall, Glenridge families will have an opportunity to provide input on transportation needs so we can develop bus service plans for the Bridge Campus. We know families have questions about this project, and we appreciate your patience as we continue working through the details.

While we are excited to see our Phase I projects move forward, we also know there is still more work ahead. This week’s heavy rains were a reminder of that reality as water once again damaged the gym floor at Meramec. Captain has also faced recent facility challenges following a structural pipe break beneath the kitchen floor. As our facilities team continues addressing immediate needs, we remain committed to our Long-Range Facilities Master Plan and to making thoughtful, strategic investments across the District.

Before I close, I want to come back to the reason behind all of this work: our students. Graduation and the many celebrations taking place across our schools remind us that every project, plan and investment is ultimately about creating opportunities and experiences that support student success. We are fortunate to be part of such a supportive community and are grateful for your continued partnership.

Sincerely,

Nisha

Nisha Patel, EdD

Superintendent