Metropolitan School was founded on
the belief that all children can and will succeed in school
when an appropriate educational environment is provided.
This basic premise remains the underlying tenet upon which
all programming and services are structured. The School
is dedicated to providing a highly individualized educational
experience for middle and senior high school students whose
potential has not been recognized and/or meaningfully challenged
in traditional school settings.
Our school program is specifically designed
to meet the special needs of atypical learners. In anticipation
of and response to differences in student readiness,
skill levels, interest, and learning styles a blend of
whole class, group and individual instruction is provided
within a structured, supportive environment which promotes
a strong sense of belonging. Fundamental to Metropolitan’s
program is personalized, student-centered instruction,
achieved through small class settings (9:1 student-teacher
ratio) and instructional methods which accommodate an
array of skill levels and a variety of learning styles.
We
encourage academic practices which are responsive to the
needs of diverse learners.
We believe in
openly accepting, respecting, and encouraging the uniqueness
and worth of each individual.
We believe that
students will experience learning as interesting, challenging
and relevant when they are taught how to study and learn
effectively based on their unique needs and strengths.
The purpose of Metropolitan
School is to provide successful school experiences for
atypical learners who are not achieving their full potential
in traditional settings. The School specializes in educating
adolescents in grades 5-12 who have learning disabilities,
attention deficits, affective disorders (depression, bi-polar
disorder) related adjustment problems and/or other atypical
learning styles.
In order to provide for the special
needs of children facing such adversity, a small group
of parents founded The Metropolitan School for Individual
Instruction, Inc. in 1967. After several building additions
and moves to increasingly larger facilities, the school
moved to its present location in 1988. Now known as Metropolitan
School, this program delivers the specialized curriculum
and personalized instruction necessary for special needs
students to succeed in school. In addition to its unique
and comprehensive educational services, Metropolitan
continues to provide a positive, nurturing environment
which promotes self-esteem and an appreciation for individual
differences.
Since 1967, Metropolitan School has
been setting the standard in education for children who
learn differently. The school has remained committed
to providing our community with a model program for adolescents
with special learning needs.
Because of inherent obstacles to elevated student morale, Metropolitan School’s program emphasizes the positive in academic and interpersonal skill development. It provides the students with social skills training and instruction in how to learn, given their specific learning style. As students experience a series of small but significant academic and social successes, and as they understand the limits and benefits of their unique learning styles, they begin also to understand the significance of their own character development. The program is designed to enhance self-esteem/self-confidence and to encourage student involvement and engagement in the process of learning.
Metropolitan School is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit agency, incorporated as such in 1967. The school is approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) and the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS). Metropolitan is a member of the Independent Schools of St. Louis (ISSL), Missouri Independent School Association, Missouri Middle School Association and the National Dropout Prevention Network. Other affiliations include the Missouri Council for American Private Education.
Jeff Markway
President
Roger Koch
Vice President
Herman Rapert
Treasurer
David Bentele
H. Pharr Brightman
Michael Chiodini
Mike Flaton
Judy Frieberg
Marianne Hockenhull
Abraham Phillips, M.D.
Linda Roos
Experienced staff members from Metropolitan are available to speak to your school, agency, or for special events. We have over thirty years of experience serving adolescents who have learning disabilities, attention deficits, or other atypical learning styles. Programming includes:
In-Service Workshops
Consultative Services
Teacher Support
Parent Education
Programs are available in full-day, half-day, and two hour formats. Please schedule workshops at least two months in advance.