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Facts About
John Burroughs School
Philosophy
How to Reach Us
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Welcome
A letter from the Head of School
 Welcome to the John Burroughs School web site. John Burroughs
School was founded in 1923 by a group of parents who wanted to
follow the philosophy of John Dewey. The school was to be progressive,
coeducational, non-sectarian, and college preparatory. The founders
believed, as we believe today, in the service ethic, in simplicity,
in concern for nature, in democracy, in diversity, and in the
highest academic standards.
The type of schooling John Burroughs offers provides a model
for the best that American education can be. Highly qualified
and caring instructors teach the traditional framework of knowledge
and skills that underlie the disciplines using progressive methods
which instill in their students a curiosity and love for learning.
The academic program at Burroughs is exceedingly rich and our
students perform exceptionally well, but the curriculum here
extends beyond what is traditionally called "academic."
The best way I can describe it is to say that if you applied
the liberal arts philosophy of higher education to secondary
education, that would describe our curriculum. The arts teach
problem-solving, self-knowledge, and active engagement with the
world, among other things, and today at Burroughs the arts enroll
more students than ever. The balance to our lives
that comes from physical endeavor has always been a part of a
Burroughs education. Athletics remains alive and well,
as do fitness and outdoor education.
Every parent instinctively knows that the ideal school will have
motivated teachers, as Burroughs does, and attract children who
want to learn and behave appropriately together. Learning to
live together and fully engage in such a community is the first
step to a life of service and active participation in the democratic
process. We hold true to our founders' belief that our nation's
future depends on schools like Burroughs teaching the importance
of such participation and service. Living appropriately and fully
for life itself and with the good of others in mind is our goal
as a school.
We invite you to sample the John Burroughs School web site
and visit the school when in St. Louis. You will always be most
welcome. With best wishes, I am
Sincerely yours,
Dr. Keith E. Shahan
Head of School
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